ISO 9001
International standard for quality management systems
ISO 22301
International standard for business continuity management systems
Quick Verdict
ISO 9001 ensures quality management for consistent customer satisfaction across industries, while ISO 22301 builds business continuity resilience against disruptions. Companies adopt ISO 9001 for efficiency and trust, ISO 22301 for crisis recovery and compliance.
ISO 9001
ISO 9001:2015 Quality management systems – Requirements
Key Features
- Risk-based thinking embedded across all clauses
- Process approach with PDCA continual improvement cycle
- Seven quality management principles foundation
- Leadership commitment and top management accountability
- High-Level Structure for multi-standard integration
ISO 22301
ISO 22301:2019 Business continuity management systems requirements
Key Features
- PDCA cycle with Annex SL high-level structure
- Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and Risk Assessment
- Leadership commitment and BCMS policy requirements
- Operational planning, testing, and exercises
- Integration with ISO 27001 for IMS
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 9001 Details
What It Is
ISO 9001:2015 is the international certification standard for quality management systems (QMS). It specifies requirements for organizations to consistently meet customer and regulatory needs through a process-based approach with risk-based thinking and PDCA cycle.
Key Components
- 10 clauses (4-10 auditable): context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
- Built on **7 quality management principlescustomer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decisions, relationship management.
- Voluntary third-party certification via accredited bodies, with surveillance audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Enhances customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, risk mitigation.
- Boosts market access, reputation, compliance in tenders.
- Drives cost savings, continual improvement, stakeholder trust.
- Over 1 million certifications worldwide.
Implementation Overview
- Gap analysis, process mapping, training, internal audits, certification.
- Applicable to all sizes/sectors; 6-12 months typical.
- Involves leadership commitment, documented information, PDCA loops.
ISO 22301 Details
What It Is
ISO 22301:2019 is the international standard titled "Societal security — Business continuity management systems — Requirements." It is a certifiable framework specifying requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a Business Continuity Management System (BCMS). Its primary purpose is to protect against, reduce likelihood of, respond to, and recover from disruptions, ensuring continuity of critical products/services. It follows a risk-based PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) approach aligned with Annex SL high-level structure.
Key Components
- Clauses 4-10 form core PDCA cycle: context (4), leadership/policy (5), planning/BIA/RA (6), support/resources (7), operations/testing (8), evaluation/audits (9), improvement (10).
- No fixed controls; ~21 pages of flexible requirements.
- Built on principles like resilience, leadership commitment, continual improvement.
- Certification via accredited bodies: two-stage audits, 3-year validity with surveillance.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mitigates risks from cyberattacks, disasters, supply failures; reduces downtime/costs.
- Meets regulations (e.g., NIS Directive); lowers insurance premiums.
- Builds stakeholder trust, enhances competitiveness/tenders.
- Enables integrated management systems (IMS) with ISO 27001.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, BIA/RA, policy development, training, testing, audits.
- Applicable to all sizes/sectors; accelerated by platforms (e.g., 6 months).
- Certification optional but proves compliance.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 9001 | ISO 22301 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Quality management systems for consistent products/services | Business continuity management for disruption resilience |
| Industry | All industries, sizes, global applicability | All sectors, high-risk like finance/utilities, global |
| Nature | Voluntary certifiable management standard | Voluntary certifiable management standard |
| Testing | Internal audits, management reviews, certification audits | BIA/RA, exercises/tabletops, internal audits, certification |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, market disadvantages | Loss of certification, disruption risks/costs |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 9001 and ISO 22301
ISO 9001 FAQ
ISO 22301 FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

You Guide on how to Start Implementing NIST CSF in Your Organization
Master NIST CSF implementation in your organization with this detailed guide. Learn core functions, key steps, best practices, and tips for cybersecurity succes

NIST CSF 2.0: Key Enhancements and How They Address Evolving Cyber Threats
Explore NIST CSF 2.0 updates: Govern function, supply chain security, SME playbooks for ransomware & AI threats. Boost your cyber defenses now!

The Regulatory Radar: How Data-Driven Compliance Tools Provide Strategic Foresight
Unlock strategic foresight with data-driven compliance tools. Act as your regulatory radar: real-time monitoring, automated insights, and 3x cost cuts. Anticipa
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
OSHA vs AS9110C
Compare OSHA safety standards vs AS9110C aerospace MRO quality requirements. Gain expert insights on compliance, risks, and strategies for aviation excellence—optimize now!
EPA vs ISA 95
Discover EPA vs ISA 95: Compare environmental regs (CAA, CWA, RCRA) with manufacturing integration standards. Master compliance, strategy & implementation for peak efficiency. Dive in!
GMP vs AS9100
Discover GMP vs AS9100: Compare pharma's preventive quality controls with aerospace's safety-focused QMS. Unlock key differences in risk, compliance & ops to boost efficiency. Dive in now!