Established in 1947, the International Standards Organization (ISO) pioneered data compliance, introducing numerous internationally standardized security frameworks. The frameworks offer recommendations, guidelines, requirements, and best practices to guarantee product, service, and process quality, safety, and efficiency.
The Organization publishes standards in several domains, such as quality management, corporate dependability, length measurements, occupational health and safety, environmental management, and information security systems. Companies can improve their reputation, simplify processes, and promote global trade by following ISO standards. With a vast array of standards designed to satisfy various requirements, ISO is essential in fostering uniformity, dependability, and ongoing development worldwide.
This blog will evaluate three of ISO’s popular security standards — ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. While ISO 45001 outlines specific requirements for occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS), ISO 14001 highlights the guidelines for environmental management systems (EMS), and ISO 9001 specifies requirements for general quality control systems (QMS). This article will focus on the similarities and differences shared by these three compliance standards, which can help you make an informed choice when selecting which security framework best suits your Organization’s needs.
But first, let’s understand what these three security standards do and who these are for.
What is ISO 9001?
The international standard, ISO 9001, defines the specifications for a typical quality management system (QMS). Organizations can constantly and effectively deliver high-quality goods and services that satisfy their customers and QMS regulatory requirements by adopting and implementing these strategies.
This QMS framework primarily centers on seven quality management tenets — relationship management, evidence-based decision-making, leadership, process approach, employee involvement, and customer focus. ISO 9001 is valued for its ability to contribute to continuously producing high-quality products and services. It guarantees customer happiness, raises customer retention rates, and offers additional advantages to enterprises.
Who is ISO 9001 For?
Obtaining ISO 9001 certification is a must for every company that wishes to commit to providing continuously improved, high-quality products. An ISO 9001 certification demonstrates a company’s dedication to an internationally accepted standard, inspiring all stakeholders’ confidence.
What is ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 provides the standards and guidance for environmental management systems. Organizations can enhance their environmental sustainability and impact by adopting and implementing the standard, which enables them to use an efficient, widely acknowledged, and acceptable ecological management system. For compliance purposes, ISO 14001 applies to all organizations, regardless of size.
An environmental management system can help businesses continuously measure, monitor, and limit environmental impact. ISO 14001, thus, enables companies to minimize their environmental effect and increase revenue by demonstrating their dedication to environmental responsibility and promoting efficiency. This keeps them out of the news and further boosts their business’s efficiency and positive ecological engagement.
Who is ISO 14001 For?
Any business that wants to limit its impact on the environment and increase its efficiency while providing employees, customers, and stakeholders continued assurance of its commitment to sustainability should employ ISO 14001.
What is ISO 45001?
The worldwide standard, ISO 45001, gives businesses precise guidelines for managing occupational health and safety. Following these guidelines can assist companies in ensuring advanced workplace health and safety, enhancing workforce productivity and efficiency, and extending the life of businesses.
ISO 45001 replaced the OHSAS 18001 security framework in March 2018. This security standard offers guidelines that focus on enhancing physical and mental health while lowering occupational accidents, injuries, and illness. For organizations to reap the benefits of ISO 45001 and meet its objectives, you will need senior management leadership, commitment, and employee involvement. It can be used by any Organization, from small businesses to global corporations, in any industry.
Who is ISO 45001 For?
ISO 45001 should be adhered to by any organization that wants to prevent workplace diseases and injuries, enhance its employees’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being, and boost productivity by minimizing stoppages and downtime.
Now that you briefly understand all three compliance standards, let’s check out their similarities.
Similarities Between ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001
Here are the similarities between ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001:
- Companies must address the risks and opportunities associated with these frameworks when adhering to them.
- All kinds of organizations, i.e., small businesses and multinational corporations, can use these compliance standards across all industries.
- All created information regarding these standards must be documented for future use and reference.
- Performance evaluation for any of these compliance frameworks must include all three elements — monitoring, measuring, and analysis.
- Companies must focus on continual improvement while implementing these regulatory frameworks to ensure that everything is current.
While the basics may be the same for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001, as highlighted above, there are subtle differences between these three compliance standards, which we will discuss in the following section.
Differences Between ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001
Here are the notable differences between ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001:
| ISO 9001 | ISO 14001 | ISO 45001 |
| ISO 9001 helps organizations satisfy customer expectations, comply with regulations, and deliver high-quality products and services. | ISO 14001 assists companies in demonstrating their dedication to environmental sustainability by minimizing ecological harm and industrial waste. | ISO 45001 enables businesses to demonstrate to employees, partners, clients, and other stakeholders that maintaining health and safety is a top priority for the Organization. |
| Focuses on achieving proposed quality objectives | Focuses on attaining proposed environmental objectives | Focuses on attaining proposed OHSMS objectives |
| ISO 9001’s primary goal is to help improve processes | ISO 14001’s primary goal is to help increase efficiency while maintaining environmental-friendliness | ISO 45001’s primary goal is to minimize workplace risks and increase workforce productivity |
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