Do you know your ISO 14001 from your ISO 27701 or ISO 45001?
With more than 25,000 globally-recognised ISO standards, deciding which are required for your business can be similar to completing a large complex jigsaw puzzle without looking at the box.
To celebrate World Standards Day on 14 October, we are sharing our ISO certification guide for businesses to help you navigate and select the most relevant.
You will be glad to know that we won’t be going into detail about all 25,000 standards in this article. Instead, here is a small selection of standards that we regularly support our clients with.
Standards support progress
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent organisation committed to the development of standards. Basically, it brings global experts together to agree on the best way to do things, culminating in the development of a set of standards. While each standard is designed for a specific purpose, all are aimed at creating a more sustainable, secure and resilient future.
Working in risk management and business continuity, we help organisations and individuals be prepared and find practical solutions to real-world problems through ISO certification for businesses.
Do it right every time
Demonstrating a consistent commitment to quality of products and services will help attract and retain business. ISO 9001 Quality Management is about developing robust processes and procedures to continuously improve your organisation’s output, boosting reputation and maximising opportunities.
Independently-owned security company PatrolGuard partnered with us and achieved its ISO 9001 certification. It has improved its operational control, and the new processes and procedures that were implemented have laid the groundwork for increased resilience and efficient operations. You can read more on our partnership with PatrolGuard here.
Sustainable and ethical practices are essential in protecting the environment, as well as an organisation’s reputation and future-proofing profits. ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) provides a framework for organisations to design and implement their own EMS. By adhering to this standard, it means an organisation is taking proactive steps to minimise its environmental footprint, is complying with relevant legal requirements and is achieving its own sustainable objectives. This can apply to anything from resource usage to waste management.
Work is also under way to develop ISO’s first international standard on net zero. Expected to launch at next year’s COP30 in Brazil in November 2025, it’s intended to provide clarity on net zero transition, robust requirements and a global solution to guide organisations. We will provide more detail in the coming months.
Safeguarding data in the digital age
Doing the right thing also extends to safeguarding data from cybercriminals. A digital future can be exciting but surprise, surprise, it does bring additional risks.
Knowing how data can be used, stored and shared is essential. This is where ISO 27701 Privacy Information Management comes in. It helps organisations meet the requirements of the UK Data Protection Act (DPA) and the general data protection regulation (GDPR).
If you want to reduce the risk of your valuable data getting into the wrong hands and causing embarrassment, operational disruption and reputational damage, and potentially costly fines, ISO 27701 is a good choice.
In addition, the Information Security Standard, ISO 27001, involves establishing, implementing, maintaining and continuously improving its information security systems. Protecting personal data reduces the risk of reputational damage, customer loss and financial penalties. While this may sound like it should sit with IT, it covers all aspects of the organisation including HR, education and training. Achieving ISO 27001 highlights you recognise the dangers and have taken stringent measures to protect your business, and their valuable data.
In the past 12 months, 50% of UK businesses and around 32% of charities have experienced some form of cybersecurity breach. Those figures are from the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey.
And while more than 80% of all UK fraud was cyber-enabled, only 32% of UK residents believe they will become a victim – that’s according to the National Cyber Security Centre.
The data you have on customers, products and employees is extremely valuable.
We lead by example and support organisations with a tailored approach to cybersecurity.
We would never ask a client to do something that we wouldn’t – check out our approach to cybersecurity in our recent article Be prepared: develop an effective cyber aware culture.
Embracing technological change
Understanding and adapting to the accelerating technological change is essential for businesses. The growth and development of artificial intelligence (AI) is always in the headlines.
Businesses can mitigate AI risks and use it wisely with the world’s first AI Management Standard ISO 42001. Aimed at organisations that are providing or utilising AI-based products and services, it’s about ensuring the responsible development and use of AI systems, while focusing on continuous learning and transparency.
AI is also a priority for the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Earlier this year, the ICO launched a consultation series on generative AI – when the technology produces text, images, videos, etc. – to examine how aspects of data protection law should apply to the development and use of the technology. The consultation findings are expected to be announced in the next few months. Find out more about the risks and rewards of AI with our article Fact or Fiction: the truth about AI reliability.
The human element in ISO standards
While we have highlighted the requirements for data and digital, we cannot overlook the human element.
ISO 45001 is the Occupational Health and Safety Standard and has been designed to ensure an organisation’s employees, customers and visitors are protected from danger. By doing so, this will also shield a business from adverse publicity and fines. Having a positive health and safety culture is a valuable motivational tool which can help you become an employer of choice, and can improve productivity and overall performance.
The standard is designed to be relevant for all organisations, regardless of size. If you trade internationally and need to prove your compliance with health and safety, or ensure that your reputation remains untarnished, ISO 45001 is the ideal solution.
And last, but certainly not least, is ISO 22301, the Business Continuity Standard.
Overcoming obstacles is something that all businesses will have to deal with. The standard is designed to help your team expect the unexpected and react quickly and confidently in case of an incident. By effectively monitoring risk, implementing best practice and rehearsing recovery procedures, organisations can protect operations, revenue and reputation.
Committed to your success
These standards are just some of the puzzle pieces needed for building a complete picture of quality, safety, security and efficiency.
At Risk Evolves we recognise that each company’s approach to ISO certification for businesses should be tailored to them.
Discover more about the key benefits of ISO certification for businesses and Risk Evolves’ ISO certification process, in our article The power of independent certification.
Don’t forget to join us on LinkedIn to share your thoughts on certification and lifelong education and training.
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Considering ISO Certification?
Need it in a hurry or are not sure where to start?
Our expert team has helped countless organisations, of all sizes and sectors, achieve the highest standards. Check out our ISO Certification page and contact us to book a free 30-minute call and unlock the potential of ISO certification for your organisation.
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