The UK government created the Ministry of Munitions, which placed inspectors in factories to ensure procedures were being followed.

The institute began with 500 members and was originally headquartered at its secretary's office at 44 Bedford Row, London WC1.

In 1954, the British Productivity Council proposed either the formation of a Society for Quality Control, or that quality control should be incorporated as a branch of an existing society.

On 22 December 1955, a general meeting approved changes to the constitution.

This was a result of the Henderson Committee report, which recommended a quality award for industry in the UK, following the success of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the US.