What do we mean by core ISO standards?
When we mention “core ISO standards”, we mean the world’s leading quality, health and safety, and environmental (QHSE) management standards – ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. We also add the foremost energy management standard, ISO 50001, and the information security management standard, ISO/IEC 27001, to this list because they can strengthen an integrated management system for greater benefits.
What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 is the world’s leading quality management system (QMS) standard, with over 1.47 million certificates issued. It is essential for boosting organizational success, profits and market potential.
The standard specifies the requirements for establishing a QMS to achieve quality policies and objectives while operating to meet customer and stakeholder needs and applicable laws and regulations.
ISO 9001 certification demonstrates your commitment to quality, effective processes, training staff and producing impeccable products or services.
The benefits include:
- Enhance product/service quality and customer confidence
- Ensure effective complaint resolution
- Pinpoint process improvements
- Implement robust risk management and reduction
- Energize employee engagement
- Carry out ongoing optimization for future success
- Contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
What is ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 is the world’s leading environmental management system (EMS) standard, with over 670,000 certificates issued. The standard, which marks its thirtieth anniversary in 2026, is essential for taking proactive measures to minimize your environmental footprint, comply with relevant legislation and achieve environmental objectives.
The framework encompasses various aspects, from resource usage and waste management to monitoring environmental performance and stakeholder engagement in environmental commitments.
ISO 14001 certification shows that you have implemented a robust EMS and are continually improving your environmental performance.
The benefits include:
- Enhance environmental performance and save money
- Ensure regulatory compliance
- Improve risk management
- Achieve operational excellence
- Enhance stakeholder and customer trust
- Contribute to UN SDGs
What is ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 is a globally recognized occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) standard, with over 540,000 certificates issued. It is essential for managing risks, enhancing OHS performance and protecting your people, stakeholders and reputation.
The standard establishes criteria for OHS policy, objectives, planning, implementation, operation, auditing and review. Key elements include leadership commitment, worker participation, hazard identification and risk assessment, legal and regulatory compliance, emergency planning, incident investigation and continual improvement.
ISO 45001 utilizes the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology to systematically manage health and safety risks.
The benefits include:
- Adopt a tried and tested OHS framework
- Protect people and reinforce reputation
- Comply with related regulations
- Strengthen resilience and protect your future
- Continually improve and evolve OHS
- Contribute to UN SDGs
What is ISO 50001?
ISO 50001 is the foremost energy management system (EnMS) standard, with over 38,000 certificates issued. It is essential for enhancing energy performance and reducing costs, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other environmental impacts.
The framework helps you establish, implement, maintain and enhance an EnMS to improve energy performance, including energy efficiency, use and consumption, through a systematic approach.
ISO 50001 is compatible with other ISO management system standards and adopts the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model for continual improvement.
The benefits include:
- Raise awareness, implement energy-saving opportunities and reduce energy costs
- Reduce your carbon footprint and achieve goals
- Simultaneously monitor KPIs and baselines
- Take control of energy use
- Contribute to UN SDGs
What is ISO/IEC 27001?
ISO/IEC 27001 is the foremost information security management system (ISMS) standard, with over 96,700 certificates issued. It is essential for robust InfoSec, cybersecurity and privacy protection.
The standard specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an ISMS and assessing and treating cyber risks, based on your specific needs.
ISO/IEC 27001 certification demonstrates your commitment to InfoSec and provides assurance that you are serious about protecting information under your control.
The benefits include:
- Enhance credibility and demonstrate system integrity
- Reduce risk of fraud, information loss and disclosure, and better prepare for the next security event or incident
- Transform business culture
- Foster new opportunities with security-conscious customers
- Create a stronger notion of confidentiality throughout the workplace
- Contribute to UN SDG
Why is an integrated management system important?
These standards have harmonized structures, meaning they are compatible with each other, allowing seamless integration. You can align or integrate them to leverage synergy and increase management efficiency.
The advantages include:
- Streamline and centralize
- Reduce time and cost
- Enhance operational consistency
- Achieve sustainability goals
- Reduce risks
- Increase collaboration
What are the steps to core standard success?
Certification to the specific standard or standards demonstrates to clients and customers that your organization has effectively implemented the corresponding management system or systems.
The certification process typically involves gap analysis, implementing the management system as per the standard or standards, internal audits, management reviews and a certification audit by an external body, such as SGS.
Certification is not a one-off event, but an ongoing process. To maintain certification, you must continually monitor and enhance your management system or systems. This includes undergoing regular audits and reviewing performance against objectives to stay competitive and achieve long-term success.
A typical client journey toward core standard success
Across our global client base, many organizations follow a similar path: starting with ISO 9001, experiencing clear performance gains and then expanding to an integrated management system. The experience of a recent manufacturing client reflects that journey:
“We first learned about ISO 9001 when its update was published in 2015. We immediately explored its benefits and discovered SGS. We explored several options, but after discussing our needs and quality objectives with SGS, we knew they were the certification body for us. Their passion stood out clearly from the competition.
“After careful planning and execution, the day arrived, we received our first ISO 9001 certificate. We learned about the other QHSE standards and, one by one, began implementing each system. It became a compulsion. With each new standard, we realized the benefits and our company flourished.
“The natural step was to go for an integrated management system – the benefits became greater and we truly put ourselves on the map.
“SGS was there every step of the way, from planning and gap analysis to final certification and even recertification. They were always the first choice, the best choice. We cannot thank them enough. They have never faltered, always been immaculate and we are not afraid of the future. We know they are here for us.”
Achieve your core standards with the certification leader
Combining our world-leading testing, inspection and certification experience with over 30 years of sustainability leadership, we can help you along the path to certification.
Our global network of experts and end-to-end services are ready to help you navigate compliance with ease. Your audit can include a gap assessment and benchmarking. We will determine your level of competence and provide advice on how to achieve ongoing improvement.
Our integrated management systems certification offers a comprehensive solution, merging multiple management systems within your organization. This integration fosters a common structure, documentation and reporting system, simplifying management and enhancing efficiency. Benefit from a single, thorough audit, replacing the need for multiple assessments, saving time and reducing resource expenditure.
We also have a range of complementary services, including training covering each standard.
For further information, please contact:
Colin Ward
Global Product Manager QHSE
t: +44 (0)7725 446595
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).
