Curious about the ISO Standards?
Since there is a standard for everything, it’s perfectly normal to feel a little overwhelmed when looking into it. Your choice of certification depends on the nature of your business, requirements, and processes.
A frequently asked question is what are the most important ISO standards?
The International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) developed a broad range of management standards to help companies improve their overall business.
The most popular certifications are ISO 9001 which focuses on quality management. Followed by ISO 14001, the standard for environmental management, and ISO 45001, which focuses on occupational health and safety.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the top 3 standards and their benefits.
ISO 9001
ISO 9001 is the international standard that specifies the requirements for a quality management system (QMS). It’s the best-known and most dependable quality management standard. Implementing this standard shows that your company takes its products or services seriously and makes the maximum effort to ensure its commitment to a quality product or service. Some markets require ISO 9001 registration and favor companies that hold an ISO 9000 certification. Many organisations are asked by a customer to obtain registration as a requirement to continue or to start doing business with them.
The benefits of ISO 9001 are:
✔️ Overall business improvement
✔️ Improved chance of gaining contracts and tenders
✔️ Cost reduction
✔️ Improved management
✔️ Reduced product or service problems
✔️ Higher customer satisfaction
ISO 14001
ISO 14001 is the international standard that specifies the requirements for an environmental management system (EMS). An efficient environmental management system is crucial to a business’s operations. Implementing an EMS based on the ISO standard has many benefits, including;
The benefits of ISO 14001 are:
✔️ Reduced costs in insurance, and overall running of the business
✔️ Legal compliance
✔️ Increased efficiency
✔️ Competitive advantage
✔️ Waste reduction
✔️ Improved reputation
ISO 45001
ISO 14001 is the international standard that specifies the requirements for an occupational health and safety system (OHS). An effective occupational health and safety system is critical for all areas of all business across all industries. Implementing an OHS based on the ISO standard has many benefits. The correct implementation of ISO 45001 provides many advantages for organisations and their employees, from increased productivity to lower costs and better overall safety. ISO 45001 will benefit any organisation, regardless of size or industry.
The benefits of ISO 45001 are:
✔️ Risk Reduction
✔️ Reduced insurance costs
✔️ Increased productivity
✔️ Increased employee safety
✔️ Boost stakeholder confidence
✔️ Identify opportunities
✔️ Increased credibility
It’s not unusual for business owners to become overwhelmed by the idea of implementing ISO standards. Since there are so many and they are so specific it’s easy to feel like you’re treading water. It’s important to remember that your choice of certification depends on the nature of your business, your requirements, and particular processes. This is why it is so important to find a company you can trust to partner with you on your ISO journey.
At Newfil Consultancy we pride ourselves on our personalised, alternate approach to the world of ISO compliance, which can sometimes feel a bit impersonal. We offer full-scale ISO auditing, training, and consulting services. Our consultants have a reputation that precedes them, each with vast experience and a wealth of on-the-ground knowledge. This is what makes us so good at catering to your unique operational landscape.
We partner with our clients and equip your teams and staff with the resources to succeed in all operational activities. There are numerous ISO standards to choose from, to suit all requirements. Go and visit our website at www.newfil.co.za to learn more about them and how we can help you. We offer reduced retainer rates to accommodate all budgets.