Integration of ISO Management System Standards

Pre-blog:

This is just an experience to lead into these blog. This experience is as much to do with integration as it is getting the right advice.

I was once asked to urgently pre-audit a young building company that was desperate to get ISO certification. The business needed 3 standards ISO 9001 Quality Management, ISO 14001 Environmental Management, and OHSAS 18001 OH&S Management. He had been seeking certification for over a year by this stage.

When he started he was rightfully advised to integrate the 3 standards. He had completed that effort and took his work to a certification body. He was advised that the 3 standards should not be integrated but there should be 3 separate manuals.

A new arduous journey commenced as he commenced splitting his management systems into 3.

He finally felt ready for his certification pre-audit. I come onto the scene to view his 3 manuals.

What a shambles. There was so much needless duplication. I am sure he must have felt confused as he tried to split the standards. Understandably he was also quite confused. Good effort though for something so difficult to do, albeit unnecessary.

Integration:

ISO and OHSAS management system standards are made for integration with each other. Over the next few weeks we will delve into each of the following matters a little more, but for now I will simply list the upcoming topics:

• The recent upgrade to ISO 9001:2008 was much to do with improving terminologies to better facilitate integration between ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
• OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 are very similar in the areas of numbering, headings, and intent
• By addressing all the clauses of ISO 9001 (or likewise with ISO 14001 or OHSAS 18001), you have effectively complied with approximately 30-50% of the other 2 standards.

Needless to say, the ISO Management System standards were built for integration and that makes it easier for you.