SYSTEMS OF QUALITY AND THE CROATIAN ECONOMY

The study deals with the systems of quality determined by a series of norms ISO9000 ff, ISO 10000 ff, EN 45000 ff and ISO 14000 ff. The basic implementation models of the systems of quality ISO 9001:1994, ISO 9002:1994, ISO 9003:1994, are explained, aswell as the situation after the revision of norms in the year 2000 by introducing ISO9001:2000 and ISO 9004:2000. This emphasized the role of quality as one of the basic factors of competitiveness in the world market. The study also gives an account of the state of systems of quality in the Croatian economy and gives a comparison with the developed countries and the transition countries. Furthermore, causes of such a state of things are analyzed, and suggestions are made which should speed up the implementation of the systems of quality and provide for a higher competitiveness in the world market.