Understanding the Benefits of Management Systems Certification Integration

Many organizations today seek certification to multiple management systems standards to meet stakeholder expectations and ensure they are implementing the best-in-class requirements recognized worldwide.  These standards are used to manage specific operational areas such as:

• ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF – Quality
• ISO 14001 – Environment
• ISO 45001 – Health and Safety
• ISO 27001 – Data Security
• and others

Standards are typically implemented over time as they are developed and released or as customers and markets prefer those who have achieved such certifications.  It is important for the organization implementing multiple standards to understand each standard's requirement overlaps and differences so they can integrate efficiently and effectively. 

The Case for Integration

Standards are designed to be integrated. All management system standards are now aligned in their clause structure (10) to allow for easier integration.  Management System standards have a 60% overlap of the common Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) requirements. It makes sense to leverage this common content rather than building completely different management systems to meet each standard.  Why not have one internal audit system, corrective action process, training system, document control, and management review that covers all standards?  Even though the standards and certificates are separate, you might consider the savings of time and costs of integrating these standards into an organization's overall operational management system to manage all aspects of its business.   This approach keeps all parts of the organization focused on the overall operational objectives while maintaining their important standards and certifications. 

Understanding Certification and Accreditation Bodies

When integrating standards, it’s important to understand the roles of Certification Bodies (CBs) and Accreditation Bodies (ABs):

• Certification Bodies (CBs), like PRI Certification, audit organizations against specific standards.
• Accreditation Bodies (ABs), such as ANAB, evaluate and accredit CBs to certify organizations.

CBs must independently apply for accreditation to each standard. ABs ensure CBs comply with specific requirements (e.g., ISO 17021- Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems for audit and certification bodies). To optimize efficiency, PRI Certification integrates its multiple accreditations under one system ISO 17021, allowing AB audits to cover multiple standards in a single visit.

Each auditor is also uniquely accredited per standard and industry sector. Some auditors have multiple standard credentials and can easily audit an integrated system where they match the standard and industry credentials.  Other times, an audit team (e.g. two auditors covering the standards) is assigned to conduct the audit.

How to Benefit from an Integrated Certification Process

If you choose to integrate your standards, you may wish to have an integrated certification audit to achieve or maintain your certifications.  An audit team would be assigned to your annual audit to cover the standards you have been certified to, which will save time and money.  If you have multiple certifications, and they are on different 3-year cycle times because you achieved certification at different times, you might want to consider aligning your certification cycles and annual target dates with all certifications to take advantage of the integrated audit efficiencies. 

Please note, that there is a difference between an integrated and a combined audit.  An integrated audit team will look at the integrated and unique standards requirements of the integrated standards. A combined audit is an audit that is conducted of each standard separately at the same visit (back-to-back) by the auditor(s) who have the specific standard credentials.   

Key Insights

Integrating management systems can significantly enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Organizations that fully integrate their systems can save up to 20% of the costs related to completing the annual audit. CB auditors conduct integrated audits by establishing audit plans that include all relevant areas and activities for each management system standard.

During the audit, the team visits various areas and assesses compliance with multiple standards. Centralized activities, such as management reviews and internal audits, are handled by one auditor for all applicable standards. The audit team produces a single report covering the conclusion on the integrated system, with nonconformities traceable to the specific management system standard.

Benefits of Integration

Efficiency: Internally, it takes fewer resources to control and coordinate integrated activities, such as management reviews. Externally, a single audit each calendar year covers all integrated standards. Integrated audits save time by combining audit activities like opening and closing meetings, audit time in each area, and audit reports, reducing the company resources needed to host third-party audits.

• Consistency: A single management system ensures uniform documentation, management reviews, internal audits, and improvement mechanisms.
• Improved Performance: Managing multiple aspects of organizational performance through an integrated system leads to better overall efficiency and effectiveness.
• Market Acceptance: Certification of integrated management systems is globally recognized, providing confidence in conformity assessment outcomes for integrated management systems.

Integrating management systems helps organizations streamline processes, reduce duplication, and enhance their ability to meet multiple standards simultaneously.

PRI Certification is a full-service Certification Body that meets the certification needs of our clients. If you are interested in learning more about integrated certification or other standards certification, please contact your Business Development Specialist today.  They will help answer questions or develop a certification strategy that meets your needs.