Let’s begin by explaining what is ISO? ISO is the International Organization for Standardization.
ISO creates documents that provide requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics that can be used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes, and services are fit for their purpose.
They’ve published 22416 International Standards.
ISO was founded with the idea of answering a fundamental question: “what’s the best way of doing this?”
It started with the obvious things like weights and measures, and over the last 50 years has developed into a family of standards that cover everything from the shoes we stand in, to the Wi-Fi networks that connect us invisibly to each other.
Addressing all these and more, International Standards mean that consumers can have confidence that their products are safe, reliable, and of good quality. ISO’s standards on road safety, toy safety, and secure medical packaging are just a few of those that help make the world a safer place.
Regulators and governments count on ISO standards to help develop better regulation, knowing they have a sound basis thanks to the involvement of globally established experts.
These standards are implemented in the form of a Management System to ensure they will be part of daily operations and to get total people’s involvement. To find out more about how ISO’s 22416 standards touch almost all aspects of daily life and work for businesses large and small, you can see standards in action. With International Standards on air, water, and soil quality, on emissions of gases and radiation, and environmental aspects of products, they protect the health of the planet and people, beyond bringing economic benefits.
Implementing a Management System in your organization is a management decision that requires consideration of your organization’s operations, strategy, staff, and, most importantly, your customers.
ISO standards are now readily being applied by organizations in industries ranging from manufacturers and labs to auto suppliers and pharmaceuticals. In many instances, the choice to implement an ISO standard into a company is not only the result of a company seeking to improve quality, efficiency, and profitability but also because it is:
- Required by your Customers, especially internationally-focused businesses
- Required by overseas regulatory bodies for suppliers of quality-sensitive products, e.g. medical devices
- Necessary to maintain market presence and a competitive advantage
Since many organizations have been adopting several standards due to the nature of their activities and external forces including market requirements; the job of maintaining those Management Systems became more complex and, in some cases, bureaucratic; focusing most in passing audits to maintain the certification more than in really providing value to the organization to manage the business.
In an effort to strengthen the value of ISO certifications, to eliminate bureaucracy, and to make the process of maintaining the certifications more efficient; ISO created the new High-Level Structure for ISO Management System Standards.
The High-Level Structure (HLS) is a set of 10 clauses that all ISO management system standards are required to use in the future. This is so that all management system standards will have the same look and feel and will enable greater integration between systems of different disciplines. The HLS then uses core text which will be in every management system standard plus contextualized text that will be added depending on what the management system is about – whether it be Quality, OHS, Environment, Information Security, Testing and Calibration Laboratories or another discipline.
Some standards already began the migration to the new High-Level Structure, and no matter the timeframe you decide, you need to consider the benefits and costs involved with this process. However, remember there’s a deadline for the migration!
Do you know how ready are you for the High-Level Structure? Find it out by using this FREE Intelligent Consulting Tool.
