Washington - The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) achieved another major milestone in the agency's production of the U.S. passport and secure federal credentials.  GPO's production facilities in Washington, D.C. have achieved ISO 9001 certification, cementing GPO's reputation as a center of excellence.  ISO is the International Organization for Standardization and the world's largest developer of international standards used by government, business and new information technology companies and agencies.  These globally recognized standards of excellence for production and quality processes assure customers that the agency or company meets their expectations. GPO's secure passport production facility in Stennis, Mississippi achieved ISO 9001 certification earlier this year.  Organizations and companies in 176 countries have attained this status, some of which include The Coca-Cola Company, The Ford Motor Company and Xerox Corporation.  

"I am proud of GPO employees in our passport and secure credential production operations for their continuous effort in ensuring that GPO's processes and manufacturing facilities meet these global quality standards," said Public Printer Bob Tapella.  "This certification is another example of how GPO continues to raise the bar in producing the world's most secure document for the Department of State and the American people."   

"This certification solidifies GPO's position as the leading source for secure credentials," said Security and Intelligent Documents Managing Director Steve LeBlanc. "It is a significant accomplishment for GPO to achieve ISO 9001 certification at its secure production facilities in Washington, D.C. and Stennis, Mississippi. I congratulate employees for their dedication in ensuring our passport production facilities meet the ISO standards of excellence."

GPO has been producing passports for the Department of State since the 1920s at its secure facility in Washington, D.C.  In 2008, to meet the rising demand by American people for passports and the need for an alternative production facility, GPO opened this second secure production facility in Mississippi.  In 2005, GPO produced the first electronic passport (e-Passport) and switched to producing all e-Passports in 2007.  GPO employees produced more than 60 million e-Passports.