ISO 31000
International guidelines for enterprise risk management
CSA
Canadian consensus standards for occupational health and safety
Quick Verdict
ISO 31000 provides voluntary risk management guidelines for all organizations globally, while CSA offers OHS standards often mandated via Canadian regulations. Companies adopt ISO 31000 for strategic resilience; CSA for legal compliance and safety certification.
ISO 31000
ISO 31000:2018 Risk management — Guidelines
Key Features
- Defines risk as effect of uncertainty on objectives
- Eight principles guiding integrated risk management
- Framework embeds risk into governance and leadership
- Iterative process for assessment, treatment, monitoring
- Non-certifiable guidelines for any organization size
CSA
CSA Z1000 Occupational Health and Safety Management
Key Features
- Consensus-based development with SCC accreditation
- PDCA cycle for OHS management systems (Z1000)
- Hazard identification and risk assessment (Z1002)
- Hierarchy of controls for risk prioritization
- Worker participation and leadership commitment
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 31000 Details
What It Is
ISO 31000:2018, Risk management — Guidelines is an international standard providing non-certifiable guidelines for systematic risk management. Its primary purpose is to help organizations of any size or sector manage uncertainty affecting objectives, using a principles-based, iterative approach that creates and protects value.
Key Components
- **Three pillars8 principles (e.g., integrated, dynamic, continual improvement), framework (leadership, integration, design, evaluation), and process (communication, scope/context/criteria, assessment, treatment, monitoring/reporting).
- No fixed controls; flexible, customizable methods.
- Built on PDCA cycle; aligns with standards like ISO 31010 for techniques.
- No certification; self-assessed alignment via governance and evidence.
Why Organizations Use It
- Enhances decision-making, resilience, and opportunity capture.
- Meets stakeholder expectations for governance without legal mandates.
- Reduces losses, improves efficiency, builds trust.
- Competitive edge in strategy, M&A, operations.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: leadership alignment, gap analysis, pilot, scale, monitor.
- Involves policy, roles, training, tools like GRC platforms.
- Universal applicability; tailored to context.
- Internal audits for assurance, no external certification.
CSA Details
What It Is
CSA standards, developed by CSA Group, are a family of accredited, consensus-based standards for products, systems, and management in Health, Environment, and Safety (HES). Primarily voluntary, they become mandatory via regulatory incorporation. Key ones like CSA Z1000 (OHSMS) and Z1002 (hazard ID) use a risk-based PDCA methodology.
Key Components
- **PDCA structureleadership/policy, planning, implementation, checking, review.
- Hazard classification (biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, psychosocial, safety).
- Risk assessment, hierarchy of controls.
- Consensus process with SCC oversight; certification by accredited bodies.
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets due diligence, legal duties when referenced.
- Reduces risks, improves compliance monitoring.
- Builds trust, supports policy implementation, demonstrates continual improvement.
Implementation Overview
Phased: gap analysis, training, audits, worker participation. Suits all sizes/industries; global via alignments. 5-year reviews; optional certification.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 31000 | CSA |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Enterprise risk management guidelines | OHS hazard identification and control |
| Industry | All sectors globally | Worker safety, primarily Canada |
| Nature | Voluntary non-certifiable guidelines | Voluntary standards, often legally referenced |
| Testing | Internal audits and reviews | Certification audits and product testing |
| Penalties | No legal penalties | Fines via regulatory incorporation |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 31000 and CSA
ISO 31000 FAQ
CSA FAQ
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