ISO 19600
International guidelines for compliance management systems
ISO 30301
International standard for management systems for records
Quick Verdict
ISO 19600 provides guidelines for compliance management systems, while ISO 30301 sets certifiable requirements for records management. Companies adopt ISO 19600 for CMS benchmarking and ISO 30301 for auditable records governance and legal defensibility.
ISO 19600
ISO 19600:2014 Compliance management systems — Guidelines
Key Features
- Explicit governance principles for compliance function independence
- Risk-based PDCA cycle management system structure
- Proportionality scaled to organization size and complexity
- Broad obligations covering legal and voluntary commitments
- High-level structure for integration with other systems
ISO 30301
ISO 30301:2019 Management systems for records Requirements
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 19600 Details
What It Is
ISO 19600:2014 provides guidelines (not requirements) for establishing, implementing, evaluating, maintaining, and improving compliance management systems (CMS). It uses a risk-based, principles-driven approach applicable to all organizations, emphasizing PDCA cycle and high-level structure for integration.
Key Components
- Core clauses: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
- **Principlesgood governance, proportionality, transparency, sustainability.
- **Governance focuscompliance function independence, direct board access, adequate resources.
- Non-certifiable guidance model.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mitigates compliance risks (legal, voluntary obligations).
- Enhances governance, culture, operational efficiency.
- Builds regulator defensibility, stakeholder trust.
- Strategic benchmarking, transition to ISO 37301.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, policy design, controls, monitoring.
- Scalable for SMEs to multinationals, all sectors.
- No certification; internal audits, management reviews suffice. (178 words)
ISO 30301 Details
What It Is
ISO 30301:2019 is an international certification standard titled Information and documentation — Management systems for records — Requirements. It specifies auditable requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a Management System for Records (MSR). Applicable to any organization, it uses a High-Level Structure (HLS) with risk-based thinking to ensure records provide reliable evidence supporting business activities, compliance, and governance.
Key Components
- **Clauses 4–10Context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
- **Clause 8 & Annex ARecords lifecycle controls (creation, capture, classification, access, retention, disposition).
- Built on ISO 15489 principles (authenticity, reliability, integrity, usability).
- Flexible conformity: self-declaration, external confirmation, or third-party certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Enhances compliance, risk mitigation, auditability, and efficiency.
- Meets legal/regulatory evidence needs; builds stakeholder trust.
- Integrates with ISO 9001, 27001; provides competitive governance edge.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, policy design, operational controls, audits.
- Suits all sizes/industries; 12-18 months typical with cross-functional teams.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 19600 | ISO 30301 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Compliance management systems guidelines | Records management systems requirements |
| Industry | All organizations worldwide | All organizations worldwide |
| Nature | Non-certifiable guidelines (withdrawn) | Certifiable requirements standard |
| Testing | Internal audits, management reviews | Internal audits, certification audits |
| Penalties | No formal penalties | Loss of certification |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 19600 and ISO 30301
ISO 19600 FAQ
ISO 30301 FAQ
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