ISO standards help ensure quality, safety and reliability in products and services. Businesses of all sizes should consider implementing ISO standards to improve their processes and operations. There are many different types of ISO standards that may be applicable to your business, so it is important to understand what they are and how they apply. The top 7 most relevant ISO standards for businesses are:
1. ISO 9001
Quality management systems. This standard helps organizations establish, implement, maintain and improve an effective quality management system. It outlines specific requirements to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality products and services.
2. ISO 14001
Environmental management systems. This standard outlines the procedures for managing the environmental impact of an organization’s activities, products and services. It helps organizations identify, control and reduce environmental risks associated with their operations.
3. ISO 45001
Occupational health and safety management systems. This standard is designed to help businesses protect the health and safety of their workers by preventing workplace accidents and injuries. It outlines steps for establishing, implementing and assessing processes to reduce risk associated with work activities.
4. ISO 27001
Information security management systems. This standard helps organizations ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of their data by developing a framework for protecting information assets from unauthorized access or use.
5. ISO 31000
Risk management. This standard helps organizations identify, assess and manage risks associated with their activities, products and services. It outlines specific principles and guidelines to help organizations establish effective risk management processes.
6. ISO 22301
Business continuity management systems. This standard helps companies plan for potential disruptions by outlining steps for establishing a business continuity plan that can be used in the event of an unexpected incident.
7. ISO 50001
Energy management systems. This standard helps organizations reduce their energy use and associated costs by establishing processes for monitoring and improving energy performance. It outlines specific requirements to help businesses achieve better energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
For businesses looking to improve quality, safety and reliability, understanding and implementing applicable ISO standards can be a great first step. Consider which of the top 7 most relevant ISO standards are applicable to your organization, and use them to start improving your processes and operations today.