We understand that choosing the ideal ISO standard for your business can be an arduous and complex task. Today, there are hundreds of standards available, covering various areas of management to assist companies with virtually any challenges they face.
Moreover, deciding on a particular standard needs to be a strategic choice, with short, medium, and long-term impacts in mind. Without a clear and sustainable reason, adopting a standard may not be as beneficial as it could be. Similarly, engaging people in the implementation process would become significantly more difficult.
For this reason, in today’s content, we’ll discuss 3 tips for choosing the perfect ISO standard for your business. We’ll address both external and internal factors and highlight fundamental aspects in the decision-making process. Even with so many options available, you’ll be able to determine which ones best fit your processes! Let’s get started!
Analyzing the Organization’s Context
Undoubtedly, one of the first factors to consider is the context in which your business operates. Not only is this a requirement of ISO management system standards, but it also provides essential insights to understand the organization’s needs, weaknesses, and how it can stand out against competitors.
Therefore, it’s worth examining aspects such as:
- sectors of operation;
- geographic positioning;
- internal strengths and weaknesses;
- regulatory agencies;
- countries to which your business exports products or services;
- countries from which your business imports products or services;
- and other relevant factors.
Through this analysis, you can identify the specific needs of each business and adopt standards that help you perform at a higher level. For example, if your business operates in the IT (Information Technology) sector, there are specific standards for this area, such as ISO 20000, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, and others.
On the other hand, if your business is in the chemical industry, with significant regulatory requirements, a compliance-focused standard like ISO 37301 might be more suitable. Additionally, considering the potential environmental impact, it might be worthwhile to adopt ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems (EMS).
Assessing Your Company’s Risks
Another essential tip is to consider the management of threats and opportunities. Through proper risk mapping, various important factors will be identified, helping you decide which paths to take and which standards to choose.
Returning to the example of a chemical company, this field poses significant environmental risks, for instance. This reinforces the need to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS), leading us to the global standard in this area: ISO 14001. Similarly, the chemical sector can present health risks to our employees, making it ideal to implement ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS).
For an accounting firm, however, the environmental impact and risk of injuries are much lower, so the previously mentioned standards may not be as relevant. In this case, a standard that promotes long-term business sustainability might make more sense. For example, ISO 22301, which focuses on Business Continuity Management, could be appropriate. In more sensitive contexts, an anti-bribery standard like ISO 37001 might be useful. And so forth.
Meeting Stakeholders’ Requirements
Lastly, but certainly not least, we have the needs and expectations of stakeholders—a factor that frequently drives the adoption of a specific standard, whether it’s from ISO (International Organization for Standardization) or another source.
Often, customers, society, regulators, suppliers, employees, or other stakeholders have specific requirements that lead to the implementation of a management system or standard. In industry, for instance, it’s common for many companies to do business only with organizations certified to ISO 9001, meaning you can only sell to these companies if you hold the 9001 certification.
Other fields may face high risks related to the information the company holds or processes. Thus, clients hiring these companies might require ISO 27001 or a similar standard. Some stakeholders may perceive high risks of corruption or bribery in transactions and therefore require ISO 37001 – Anti-Bribery Management Systems certification.
Ignoring client requirements can be incredibly challenging and may result in lost revenue and clients. This is undoubtedly a crucial factor when selecting the right ISO standard for your company!
Choosing the Right ISO Standard is an Art!
Just as a painter carefully selects colors to create a masterpiece, a musician chooses the right notes, or a sculptor selects the perfect wood, selecting the appropriate ISO standard for our businesses requires precision, strategic vision, and business acumen.
We might even say that each company is like a blank canvas, with its unique characteristics, needs, expectations, and challenges. The decision to adopt a standard cannot, in any way, be random or unconsidered. We must think through, analyze all the details, and make this decision intentionally to add value, transforming the organizational environment and results for all stakeholders.
A well-chosen standard highlights strengths, corrects weaknesses, and brings harmony to processes, helping the company achieve a new level of operational excellence. Ultimately, viewing the selection of an ISO standard as an artistic process acknowledges that, as with art, attention to detail and intention make all the difference in creating something truly sustainable!
