How Combining ISO Certifications Can Help You Capitalize on Compliance

ABS Quality Evaluations

In recent years, it's become common for companies to pursue multiple International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certifications to achieve their core objectives. With so many standards and programs available to enhance business performance, it seems strategic to tackle several organizational goals at once.

For example, implementing ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 50001 (Energy Management) can help pave the path to a successful sustainability journey, especially in power and renewables, maritime and industrial manufacturing markets. Industries like oil, gas and chemical can also include niche initiatives, like Responsible Care®, to further address environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) concerns.

However, when management systems are not properly integrated, even though the intent of the certifications is on target, results can fall short of the mark.

Workers can end up carrying out multiple tasks to meet the same compliance criteria, which wastes valuable time and energy. More critically, when the interrelatedness of systems is not understood, it is possible for actions carried out to meet compliance in one area to compromise compliance in another—or even inadvertently undermine critical quality management or emergency management systems.

Integrating Management Systems: Do It Once and Do It Right 

When it comes to integrating your company’s management systems, the goal should be to do things right the first time. Integration means working according to a combined business management system that puts all your business goals into one bucket.

Working alongside business assurance experts as you implement management systems for each certification can allow you to see how all the systems can work together, ultimately streamlining activities and addressing multiple requirements at the same time.

By taking this approach, your organization can potentially eliminate redundancies, reduce bureaucracy and build consistency through audits that help you understand processes, resourcing requirements and interrelated operating costs.

Reduce Cost and Increase Stakeholder Confidence

Oftentimes, there are allocated funds for the certification processes as an investment in the company’s future. Integration experts can help you make sure you get the best return on your investment by examining the suite of certifications in your portfolio and can help you develop a consolidated and coordinated program for auditing, assessment and renewal that saves time and money.

In addition, organizations that have integrated management systems may be viewed more favorably by stakeholders, including customers, employees and investors. This is because an integrated approach to management systems demonstrates a commitment to quality, environmental sustainability and employee health and safety.

ABS Quality Evaluations: Your Certification Partner

The right certification partner can simplify compliance through integrated management systems to minimize risk, improve operational efficiency and maximize the value of assets. ABS Quality Evaluations (ABS QE) experts apply specialized skills and knowledge within their areas of expertise, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sustainability and more, to help you enhance your skillset and develop your own tools for improved operations. We help you break down walls and work as a functional team to reach the ultimate business goal of doing things safely, correctly and in an environmentally sound way.