The number of United States chemical companies that have registered under ISO 9000 increased dramatically during the first half of 1993. However, many United States registrants say they are acting strictly on pressure from the European market. Overseas registered companies claim the their ISO 9000 certificated give tham an unbeateble edge in the United States domestic market. Therefore, some CEOs are pursuing ISO 9000 because they feel they have no other choice. Other, more far-sighted CEOs view registration as presservation. Some major misconceptions about ISO 9000 are listed, along with rebuttals that attest ot the insccuracy of thexe misconceptions. Case histroes of companies that have recently registered include a review of regional programs in Latin America and the Pacific Rim, an assessment of the impact of international standards on the environmental management policies of ISO 9000 registrants, and efforts to influence the impending harmonization of registrar accreditation on the International level.