Requirements for certification specified in ISO 9000 standard highlight the need for
change in different areas of organisational working. These requirements objectively
define the “agenda for change”. Requirements for ISO 9000 certification, therefore
facilitate “challenging the status quo” or “unfreezing” according to Lewin’s “Three step
model for organisational change” (Lewin, 1951). Working for compliance to ISO 9000
requirements represents “moving” in Lewin’s model. Periodic surveillance audits after
ISO 9000 certification by an external certification agency serve as deterrents for reverting
to pre-certification practices. This is equivalent of “refreezing” in Lewin’s model