Standards Comparison

    ISO 37301

    Voluntary
    2021

    International certifiable standard for compliance management systems

    VS

    CSA

    Voluntary
    1919

    Canadian consensus standards for occupational health and safety management

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 37301 provides certifiable compliance management systems for global organizations, emphasizing risk-based culture and whistleblowing. CSA delivers OHS hazard identification standards, primarily Canadian, becoming mandatory via legal reference. Companies adopt ISO 37301 for assurance, CSA for safety compliance.

    Compliance Management

    ISO 37301

    ISO 37301:2021 Compliance management systems – Requirements

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Certifiable standard replacing guidance-only ISO 19600
    • High-Level Structure enables IMS integration
    • Risk-based compliance obligations and planning
    • Leadership commitment and culture emphasis
    • Mandatory whistleblowing protections and channels
    Product Safety

    CSA

    CSA Z1000 Occupational Health and Safety Management

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Consensus-based development with SCC oversight
    • PDCA cycle for OHS management systems
    • Hazard classification across 6 categories
    • Risk assessment with hierarchy of controls
    • Mandatory worker participation and leadership commitment

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    ISO 37301 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 37301:2021, officially "Compliance management systems – Requirements with guidance for use," is a certifiable international standard for establishing effective CMS. It replaces guidance-only ISO 19600, using Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) and High-Level Structure (HLS) for risk-based compliance across all obligations.

    Key Components

    • Core clauses: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
    • Emphasizes leadership, risk assessment, whistleblowing, monitoring, continual improvement.
    • Built on HLS for integration with ISO 9001/14001/27001.
    • Certifiable via accredited bodies like ANAB.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Demonstrates compliance to stakeholders, reduces risks/fines.
    • Builds culture of integrity, supports ESG/SDGs.
    • Enhances reputation, investor confidence; voluntary but strategic.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, register building, training, audits.
    • Scalable for SMEs/enterprises, all sectors.
    • Certification involves initial/surveillance audits (3-year cycle).

    CSA Details

    What It Is

    CSA standards are consensus-based documents from CSA Group (formerly Canadian Standards Association), spanning products, systems, and management in health, environment, and safety (HES). Key ones like CSA Z1000 (OHSMS) and CSA Z1002 (hazard identification/risk assessment) follow a PDCA cycle for systematic risk governance.

    Key Components

    • Leadership commitment, worker participation, policy
    • **Planninghazard ID (6 categories: biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, psychosocial, safety), risk assessment (severity, likelihood, exposure)
    • **Implementationcontrols via hierarchy (elimination, engineering, admin, PPE), training, emergency prep
    • **Checkingaudits, incident investigation, monitoring
    • SCC-accredited; certification available

    Why Organizations Use It

    Meets legal duties when referenced in regulations; demonstrates due diligence; reduces incidents/reputational risk; enables continual improvement, market access.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, policy/training, process integration, audits/reviews. Suits all sizes/industries; global alignment; optional third-party certification.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 37301
    Compliance obligations, risks, culture, whistleblowing
    CSA
    OHS hazards, risk assessment, worker safety controls

    Industry

    ISO 37301
    All sectors worldwide, all organization sizes
    CSA
    All industries, Canada-focused, all sizes

    Nature

    ISO 37301
    Certifiable international management system standard
    CSA
    Consensus standards, voluntary unless referenced in law

    Testing

    ISO 37301
    Accredited certification audits, 3-year cycle
    CSA
    Internal audits, SCC-accredited certification optional

    Penalties

    ISO 37301
    Loss of certification, no direct legal penalties
    CSA
    Fines/prosecution if incorporated by reference

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 37301 and CSA

    ISO 37301 FAQ

    CSA FAQ

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