Introduction

ISO standards are as varied as they are far-reaching and cover a variety of areas. You may be asking yourself, “What are the different ISO standards, and why are ISO standards so important?” No matter your job or industry, it’s likely that you have encountered at least one type of ISO standard you either worked with or worked toward.

What is ISO?

The International Organization of Standardization, or ISO, is an independent body based in Geneva, Switzerland consisting of members of 160 countries throughout the world. Their expertise allows them to pool together and share their knowledge and experience in establishing internationally accepted standards for many industries.
Essentially, ISO standards are internationally accepted ways to do something. The same set of guidelines is followed no matter the location, for a more consistent result. The benefits can be seen and felt by the organization, users, and customers. Companies that have implemented these standards can feel confident that they are recognized worldwide. Customers are secure in the knowledge that their suppliers’ products, services and activities are based upon internationally recognized standards.

What are the Different ISO Standards?

Currently, there are 24,609 different standards that cover almost all aspects of manufacturing, management and technology. Some are very specific, like ISO 13485 for the design and manufacture of medical devices, while others serve as a general framework for the management of processes throughout the organization. Some of the most popular standards are:

ISO 9001 is a quality management systems standard that help organizations ensure they meet customer and other stakeholder needs within statutory and regulatory requirements related to products or services. All the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 are generic and are intended to be applicable to any organization, regardless of its type or size, or the products and services it provides.

ISO 27001 manages information security such as financial information, intellectual property, employee data and information entrusted by third parties. It is a vital part of IT security, cybersecurity and data privacy protection.

ISO 14001 exists to help organizations minimize how their operations  impact the environment; comply with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmentally oriented requirements; as well as continually improve on them.

ISO 45001 specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system, and gives guidance for its use, to enable organizations to provide safe and healthy workplaces by preventing work-related injury and ill health, as well as by proactively improving its OH&S performance.

The Benefits of ISO Standards

There are a number of benefits associated with implementing ISO standards. These best practices are tried and tested methods for every aspect of business operations. Since they are internationally recognized it makes it easier for organizations throughout the world to work together.
Organizations can simplify their wider regulatory requirements by following ISO standards. ISO Standards will ensure your organization follows best practices and complies with regulatory requirements. Be a trusted brand. Demonstrate a higher level of operations to customers with ISO standards. To learn more about which ISO standards are applicable to your organization, Contact our ISO Consultants today.

Author

Christina Gamache | Sales & Marketing Coordinator