What is ISO? Does My Industry Need it?
ISO, or the International Organisation for Standardisation, is an independent, non-governmental organisation that creates international standards. These standards are designed to help businesses ensure high-quality products, safe working conditions, environmentally friendly practices, and more.
ISO certification covers a wide range of industries, each with its own set of standards and criteria. But how does it apply to your business?
Why Your Industry Needs ISO Certification
ISO certification brings numerous benefits to businesses across all sectors. It can:
Establish reliable processes that ensure your business is running at its best
Boost profits by improving efficiency
Simplify risk management
Increase employee engagement
Strengthen relationships with stakeholders
Create happier clients through improved service quality
ISO Standards: Tailored to Your Industry
ISO standards are management systems designed to improve specific processes. Let’s look at two key standards and how they benefit various industries:
ISO 45001: Occupational Health & Safety Management
ISO 45001 specifies the requirements for a Health and Safety Management System. This standard is essential for industries where health and safety risks are present. Industries such as construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality stand to gain significantly from this certification.
- Construction: Falling from a height remains a major cause of workplace injuries. ISO 45001 helps implement strategies to prevent such incidents and reduce fatalities, protecting both workers and your reputation.
- Healthcare: With people’s well-being in the hands of workers, implementing ISO 45001 ensures safety for both service users and staff, mitigating risks in high-stress environments.
- Hotels & Hospitality: Service users and staff are at constant risk of accidents, from slips in corridors to improper handling of hazardous materials. ISO 45001 helps establish strategies to reduce incidents and ensure safety.
For any industry with potential hazards, ISO 45001 ensures a safer work environment, reduces legal risks, and enhances the reputation of your business.
ISO 27001: Information Security Management
ISO 27001 focuses on improving confidentiality and safeguarding sensitive information. With over 2,000 cyber-attacks occurring daily, businesses that handle sensitive data—whether employee information, customer data, or financial records—are at risk.
Industries that would benefit greatly from ISO 27001 include:
- IT Companies: Protecting data against cyberattacks is critical. A breach could expose millions of sensitive records, damaging your company’s reputation and finances.
- Cloud & Technology Services: ISO 27001 ensures that your cloud services are secure, helping prevent data leaks and breaches that could compromise your clients’ personal information.
- Support & Software Companies: Protecting personal data is crucial for maintaining trust and compliance with regulations like GDPR. ISO 27001 helps mitigate the risk of fraud and security breaches through improved data protection practices.
With ISO 27001, businesses reduce the likelihood of experiencing a data breach, thereby maintaining customer trust and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.
Getting Started with ISO
If you want to prioritise health and safety or information security within your organisation, becoming certified in ISO 27001 and ISO 45001 is a smart step. These standards can transform your processes, improve risk management, and position your business as a leader in compliance and security.
Click here for more information on ISO or Get in touch with one of our expert consultants to start your journey towards certification.
