This mainly shows that certification makes enterprises more competitive, although the impact depends on the type of certification acquired. For example, a study of the effect of ISO 9000, a standard designed to improve management practices, found that being certified improved returns on assets.159 Other studies argue that ISO 9000 certification improves the long-term financial prospects of certified enterprises.160 Adopting quality standards has also been found to increase sales in foreign markets, improve reputations, and decrease trade costs due to smoother customs control procedures for goods meeting high quality standards.161 As a result, an entire industry has developed to help firms acquire quality certificates for their products or procedures. In this context, a survey of Spanish firms showed that 30% of companies spent less than €6,000 annually on quality management, while 15% spent over €60,000.162 These figures reflect the cost of attending quality management training, paying consultants, and paying for the procedural costs of certification. The returns on investment are likely to be significant.