ITAR and ISO Compliance Are Important
Steps Taken by The Hope Group LLC

To compete effectively for homeland security and defense contract business, as well as, to meet the increased expectation level among our most important customers, The Hope Group has taken steps to maintain its ISO 9000 certification and to add ITAR compliance to its list of certifications. These two important designations signal to our customers that we recognize the value of meeting and exceeding the quality and production standards necessary to compete in a global marketplace.

ITAR Certification Approved

In a letter from the US Department of State, The Hope Group was notified that it had been issued a Registration Code certifying it as ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) compliant. The ITAR regulations control the export and import of defense-related material and services. Administered by the Dept. of Defense, ITAR was created to advance US strategic objectives and foreign policy via trade controls.

"This certification is key to our strategic program to support our Military and Homeland Security customers to conform to ITAR regulations and the Arms Export Control Act," said Joe DeMarco, Quality Assurance officer for The Hope Group.

ISO Certification Upgraded

The Hope Group LLC has successfully had its registrations upgraded from ISO 9001:2000 to ISO 9001:2008. This means that The Hope Group has implemented a quality management system registered by the QMI-SAI Global for distribution of fluid power components and industrial supplies. The Hope Group received its certificate from QMI-SAI Global congratulating them on having its registration upgraded as required.

The ISO 9000 designation is generally described as an established Quality Management System standard, which can be customized into a powerful improvement tool. ISO 9001:2008 specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS) for any organization that needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and applicable regulatory requirements and aims to enhance customer satisfaction.

To implement an ISO 9001 QMS it must: 1) Define its quality oriented policies and objectives, 2) Control its processes, 3) Measure performance, 4) Use the information obtained to make improvement, 5) Keep a record of all pertinent upgrades and improvements.

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