Standards Comparison

    ISO 56002

    Voluntary
    2019

    International guidance standard for innovation management systems

    VS

    ISO 27701

    Voluntary
    2019

    International standard for privacy information management systems

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 56002 provides guidance for innovation management systems across all organizations, while ISO 27701 certifies privacy information management for PII handlers. Companies adopt 56002 for structured innovation governance; 27701 for auditable privacy compliance and regulatory trust.

    Innovation Management

    ISO 56002

    ISO 56002:2019 Innovation management system guidance

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

    Key Features

    • High-Level Structure alignment enables integrated management systems
    • PDCA cycle drives continuous innovation improvement
    • Top management commitment ensures leadership accountability
    • Manages innovation uncertainty via risk-opportunity planning
    • Tool-agnostic guidance adaptable to all organizations
    Privacy Management

    ISO 27701

    ISO/IEC 27701:2025 Privacy Information Management

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Establishes Privacy Information Management System (PIMS)
    • Role-specific controls for PII controllers and processors
    • Mappings to GDPR and ISO 27001/27002 standards
    • Risk-based PDCA cycle with DPIAs
    • Auditable certification demonstrating privacy accountability

    Detailed Analysis

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

    ISO 56002 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 56002:2019 is an international guidance standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Innovation Management System (IMS). It provides a generic framework applicable to all organization types, sizes, and sectors, focusing on transforming innovation into a strategic capability. The standard uses a PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle and aligns with the High-Level Structure (HLS) shared by ISO management standards.

    Key Components

    • Seven core clauses: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
    • Eight principles: value realization, future-focused leadership, strategic direction, enabling culture, portfolio thinking, uncertainty management, learning, stakeholder engagement.
    • Non-prescriptive; no fixed controls, emphasizes tailored processes.
    • Conformity via self-assessment or third-party audits; links to certifiable ISO 56001.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Enhances governance, reduces "innovation theater," improves portfolio decisions and resource allocation. Builds stakeholder confidence, manages uncertainty, boosts competitiveness. Voluntary adoption drives strategic resilience, integration with ISO 9001/27001.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased approach: awareness, gap analysis, design, pilot, scale, sustain. Suited for established organizations; SMEs use staged tailoring. No mandatory certification; focus on leadership commitment, KPIs, audits.

    ISO 27701 Details

    What It Is

    ISO/IEC 27701:2025 is an international standard extending ISO 27001 for a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It provides requirements and guidance for managing personally identifiable information (PII) lifecycle, emphasizing accountability, risk management, and alignment with privacy laws like GDPR. It uses a risk-based PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) methodology.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4–10 for management system (context, leadership, planning, operation, evaluation, improvement).
    • Annex A (PII controllers) and Annex B (PII processors) with privacy-specific controls.
    • Mappings to GDPR, ISO 27002, and others.
    • Certification via accredited bodies, often integrated with ISO 27001 audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mitigates regulatory fines, breach risks, and supply-chain exclusions.
    • Demonstrates compliance for procurement and trust-building.
    • Harmonizes multi-jurisdictional privacy efforts, reduces costs.
    • Enhances brand reputation and competitive edge.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: discover/scope, design/plan, implement/operate, validate/improve.
    • Involves PII inventory, DPIAs, DSR processes, training, audits.
    • Applicable to all sizes/sectors handling PII; voluntary certification.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 56002
    Innovation management systems guidance
    ISO 27701
    Privacy information management systems

    Industry

    ISO 56002
    All sectors, organization sizes globally
    ISO 27701
    PII processing organizations worldwide

    Nature

    ISO 56002
    Voluntary guidance, no certification requirements
    ISO 27701
    Certifiable management system standard

    Testing

    ISO 56002
    Internal audits, management reviews optional
    ISO 27701
    Internal audits, external certification audits

    Penalties

    ISO 56002
    No legal penalties, loss of conformity
    ISO 27701
    No legal penalties, certification withdrawal

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 56002 and ISO 27701

    ISO 56002 FAQ

    ISO 27701 FAQ

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