The implementation of quality management system (QMS) helps manufacturing organization ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices. However, the lack of a QMS will affect the manufacturing sector and lead to a complete failure because there will be a lot of wastage, rework, time wastage and loss of money. To ensure QMS is incorporated into the manufacturing sector, this study is focused on assessing the barriers facing the application of QMS in South African manufacturing organisations. This was achieved by employing a quantitative research methodology with the distribution of questionnaire to professionals in the manufacturing organisations across South Africa. The retrieved data was analysed using descriptive statistics and the findings revealed that the top five barriers to QMS application by manufacturing organisations in South Africa are top management low commitment, lack of required finance, shortage of experts, lack of training, and lack of the QMS process understanding during training sessions. It was concluded that QMS contributes largely to the success of manufacturing industry in South Africa and there is a need to make necessary provisions for its incorporation into the industry process. It was recommended that organisations need to pay attention to the identified barriers of this study with top management making adequate commitment to the application of QMS in the manufacturing industry of South Africa. This will help promote QMS adoption.

Keywords: Manufacturing Industry, Organisations, Quality Management, Quality Systems.