In recognition of the potential for competitive advantage through application of Total Quality, fourteen leading Western European businesses took the initiative of forming the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) in 1988. By June 1993, membership had grown to over 280 members from most Western European countries and most business sectors.

     EFQM has an important role to play, enhancing the position of Western European businesses in world markets. This will be achieved in two ways:

1. accelerating the acceptance of quality as a strategy for global competitive advantage
2. stimulating and assisting the deployment of quality improvement activities

     Recognition of achievement is a feature of the policy of the EFQM and in 1991, with the support of the European Organization for Quality and the European Commission, it took the lead in establishing The European Quality Award.

     The European Quality Award which is awarded to the most successful exponent of Total Quality Management in Western Europe, and European Quality Prizes awarded to organizations that demonstrate excellence in the management of quality as their fundamental process for continuous improvement.

The European Quality Award which was presented for the first time in 1992, incorporates:

EFQM Quality Award Model

See Kalder & EFQM for more updated information

For comparison of EFQM and ISO 9000:2000 Revision, click here.