Welcome to ISO Standards

Updated on 23 January 2025

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ISO certification

ISO Standards are set out by the International Organisation for Standardisation. This is a multi-national organisation that has international standards that serve as a framework for effective and efficient business practises.

Since it is not attached to any government entity, the 164 member countries can use these standards to guide them in providing reliable and trustworthy service. “ISO is the International Organisation for Standardisation that supersedes National Standards such as the South African National Standard,” says Muhammad Ali, Managing Director and Registered Lead Auditor of WWISE. “This body was created for the world to have one uniform standard recognised globally for companies to align their products and services to become certified. It also creates a level of assurance in the consistent quality of products and services.”

Ali shares that any business can be ISO certified. “No matter how small or large, any business can become ISO certified. It is important to identify the ISO standard or National Standard associated with the market-related needs for assurance and developing the management system.” Simply put, the business needs to see what are the relevant standards that are worth becoming certified for.

Although ISO certifications are not a legal requirement, Ali explains that ISO standards align with legal requirements. “Not only does it help conform to a standard, it assists with compliance to the law. It is now becoming a prerequisite to provide accredited ISO Certifications in all tenders for the services or products being rendered.”

ISO Standards Certification

There are more than 28 000 ISO standards that businesses can be certified for. These standards range from building tractor engines to window frames and textiles.

As a starting point, the common ISO standards that Ali highlights organisations can implement and be certified for are:

ISO 9001 – Quality Management

The perspective of the standard is to assist any micro to large enterprises in controlling their processes with policies, processes and procedures, using a risk-based approach set out by the standard’s requirements to create controls that identify how to create consistent products and services to exceed client expectations.

ISO 14001 – Environmental Management

The perspective of the standard is to assist any micro to large enterprises to control their processes with policies, processes and procedures, using a risk-based approach that the standard’s requirements set out that create controls that identify environmental aspects and impacts that align with legal requirements that minimise pollution.

ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety

The perspective of the standard is to assist any micro to large enterprises to control their processes with policies, processes and procedures, using a risk-based approach indicated by the standard’s requirements that create controls that identify the hazards and risks within the work environment to prevent any injury, ill health or fatality.

ISO 22 000 – Food Safety

The perspective of the standard is to assist any micro to large enterprises to control their processes with policies, processes and procedures, using a risk-based approach that the standard sets requirements for to create controls that identify critical control points in the food processing and packaging environment to ensure the consumers are safe to use any food-related product.

ISO 27001 – Information Security, Cybersecurity and Privacy

The perspective of the standard is to assist any micro to large enterprises to control their processes with policies, processes and procedures, using a risk-based approach that the standard requirements list that reduces the occurrence of a cyber-attack and protects the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information.

“The qualifier in South Africa is ISO 9001 Quality Management System, which then allows organisations in manufacturing to associate with the SABS for Product Testing (SABS Marck Scheme) or EU Scheme,” Ali says. “However for IT, Banking and Telecommunication, it would be ISO 27001 that needs to be obtained. Information Security, Mining and Construction companies might consider starting with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. The list goes on.”

Benefits of ISO Certification

“Becoming certified can assist in gaining more business and improve the organisation’s overall performance,” he says. “The ISO numbers assist with a specific management system, but there is no specific method of numbering. However, the numbers identify a standard and the years indicate when the standard was published and released.

“These standards are revised every eight to ten years, or when the need arises for change from the organisations who implement it or auditors who audit the standards.”

Common ISO Certification Misconceptions

“Businesses don’t completely understand that ISO is integrated with the business strategy and objectives,” Ali adds. “The fundamentals begin with top management and leadership commitment: It is a way of life and a process in which best practices are set by over 164 countries globally.”

Another point that businesses often misunderstand is that ISO certification cannot be achieved by paying a membership fee. “You have to implement an effective management system and, at times, work with specialists who understand ISO and your business environment to allow the investment to grow,” he explains. “Attaining certification is easy. Losing or being suspended is common due to neglect, poor maintenance, awareness, and training. This, in turn, can lead to huge reputational damage.“

“Many a consultant are not equipped with the skills,” Ali remarks. “They attend training and advertise as a consultant and cannot deliver as they do not understand the industry and how to integrate with the business objectives to add value for the business and build sustainability into the systems processes and organisational culture to avoid suspension.”

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