Which standard is considered the basic international standard where documentation is key?

ISO 9000 is recognized as the fundamental international standard focused on quality management systems. The significance of documentation in this standard is paramount because it establishes requirements and guidelines for quality management practices within organizations. It emphasizes the importance of a structured documentation process to ensure consistency, reliability, and effectiveness in delivering products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

ISO 9000 provides the framework for organizations to follow a systematic approach to documenting their quality policies, objectives, procedures, and processes. This structured documentation is essential for fostering understanding and adherence to quality standards among employees and stakeholders, facilitating continuous improvement, and enabling organizations to consistently produce quality outcomes.

The other options represent standards that address different aspects of management and organizational responsibility. For instance, ISO 14000 focuses on environmental management, ISO 45000 pertains to occupational health and safety, and ISO 26000 is centered on social responsibility. While these standards also value documentation, ISO 9000 distinctly emphasizes the role of documentation as a foundation of a quality management system, making it the key choice in this context.