This paper presents the results of an exploratory research made among Brazilian chemical and petrochemical companies, answered by companies' Quality Departments. This survey investigates the actual conditions of ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 certifications, the quality programs adopted by mentioned companies, and some specific questions about each of these topics. Some aspects of their productive reorganization process are also examined, including outsourcing. The results are related to 25 companies, mostly leaders in their local markets. A large difusion of ISO 9000 certification and quality programs is found among local leader companies, and also a growing tendency of ISO 14000's certification's adoption.
Quality Programs; chemical industry; petrochemical industry; ISO 9000; ISO 14000; outsourcing
