ISO 9001
International standard for quality management systems
ISO 45001
International standard for occupational health and safety management systems.
Quick Verdict
ISO 9001 ensures quality management for consistent products/services, enhancing customer satisfaction globally. ISO 45001 provides occupational health/safety systems to prevent injuries/illnesses. Companies adopt both for operational excellence, compliance, risk reduction, and competitive market access.
ISO 9001
ISO 9001:2015 Quality management systems
Key Features
- Risk-based thinking embedded throughout all clauses
- PDCA cycle drives continual process improvement
- Seven quality management principles foundation
- High-Level Structure enables multi-standard integration
- Top management leadership and commitment required
ISO 45001
ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
Key Features
- Top management leadership and accountability
- Worker consultation and participation requirements
- Hierarchy of controls for hazard elimination
- Risk and opportunity-based planning
- HLS alignment for integrated management systems
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 provides a flexible, process-oriented framework applicable to any organization, emphasizing risk-based thinking and PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle for consistent customer satisfaction and continual improvement.
Key Components
- 10 clauses (4-10 auditable): context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
- Built on **seven quality principlescustomer focus, leadership, people engagement, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decisions, relationship management.
- Voluntary third-party certification via accredited bodies, with surveillance audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Enhances efficiency, reduces waste, boosts customer trust.
- Meets market/contract demands; over 1M certifications worldwide.
- Manages risks, including 2024 climate change considerations.
- Improves reputation, competitiveness, stakeholder relationships.
Implementation Overview
- Gap analysis, process mapping, training, internal audits.
- 6-12 months typical; scalable for all sizes/industries.
- Certification involves Stage 1/2 audits, 3-year cycle.
ISO 45001 Details
What It Is
ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS). It provides a framework to prevent work-related injuries and ill health, improve OH&S performance, using a risk-based, PDCA cycle approach aligned with ISO's High-Level Structure (HLS).
Key Components
- Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, and improvement.
- Emphasizes hierarchy of controls, worker participation, and top management accountability.
- Built on Annex SL for integration with ISO 9001/14001; certification via accredited bodies.
Why Organizations Use It
- Reduces incidents, legal risks, and costs; enhances resilience and insurance savings.
- Meets stakeholder expectations, boosts reputation, and supports ESG reporting.
- Drives cultural change, talent retention, and competitive supply-chain advantages.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, policy/objectives, controls, audits, certification.
- Scalable for all sizes/sectors; 6-12 months typical; requires training, audits.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 9001 | ISO 45001 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Quality management systems for products/services | Occupational health/safety management systems |
| Industry | All industries, sizes, global applicability | All industries, high-risk sectors emphasized, global |
| Nature | Voluntary certifiable standard | Voluntary certifiable standard |
| Testing | Internal/external audits, certification every 3 years | Internal/external audits, surveillance audits annually |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, market access issues | Loss of certification, regulatory non-compliance risks |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 9001 and ISO 45001
ISO 9001 FAQ
ISO 45001 FAQ
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