As an ISO consultant, I frequently encounter businesses that believe a gap analysis is essential before starting an ISO project. But in my experience, traditional gap analyses often provide little real value, and sometimes, they even distract from what really matters.     Gap Analyses: Who Are They Really For? Most businesses operate with one goal in mind: making money. ISO compliance is important, but it isn’t the driver of daily decisions. Companies already manage operation

Internal audits are a core requirement across ISO standards, but many businesses treat them as a formality. If you're preparing for an external audit or just trying to make your internal audits more effective, watch out for these common pitfalls: 1. Auditing Your Own Work Even in small teams, audits must be objective. If independence isn’t possible, introduce peer review or rotate roles. 2. Using the Same Checklist Every Time Audits should evolve. Static checklists miss emer

ISO 17012, which was published in July 2024, provides useful guidance on the application of remote methods in auditing management systems, and is applicable to other types of audit and assessment. It is intended for use by 1st, 2nd and 3rd party auditors, and supplements the guidance provided in ISO 19011 and the requirements in ISO 17021 Part 1 for certification bodies. The document fulfils two primary functions, firstly in providing guidance as to how to get the most from t

The HSE has released its annual statistics for work-related ill health and workplace injuries for the 2023/24 period. Key findings include: Work-Related Ill Health : Approximately 1.7 million workers reported suffering from work-related ill health, a figure consistent with the previous year's 1.8 million. Notably, around half of these cases were attributed to stress, depression, or anxiety, totalling an estimated 776,000 cases. While this number remains higher than pre-pandem

A question we're asked a lot when we use the term 'IMS'..... This blog should hopefully provide you with an overview and understanding of an Integrated Management System (IMS). An Integrated Management System (IMS) is a comprehensive approach that combines multiple management systems into a unified framework within an organisation. It aims to streamline and harmonise various management systems to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and overall performance. Traditionally, org

The Phase 2 Report of the public inquiry into the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people, was published earlier last month and is expected to have a significant impact on the construction industry.   The report concluded that the fire resulted from decades of failures by central government and other bodies in positions of responsibility in the construction industry to thoroughly assess the risks of using combustible materials in the external walls of high-rise resi

This month's blog we'll be briefly touching on ISO/Standard(s)-related legislation updates. ISO 14001 Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024   This Act  received Royal Assent on 8th August 2024, and will commence on a date to be decided by the Scottish Ministers. It introduces measures to facilitate the transition of Scotland's economy to a circular model, as well as modernise Scotland's waste and recycling services, by: requiring Ministers to prepare a circular economy strateg

We've been in this situation many times where we find ourselves competing against pre-written document toolkits. This month we decided to outline some of the benefits and pitfalls of toolkits vs using consultants. The benefits/pitfalls include: As consultants, we do 95% of the work involved in building the system v the client sifting through a mass of policies, procedures, forms etc We do not over-write systems i.e. we don’t make them more complex for what the business needs,

ISO Systems UK are a registered provider for NBSL’s North East Business Support Fund helping businesses to improve their competitiveness. Find out more at https://nbsl.org.uk/nebsf   Process Summary  -  The below image provides an overview of the Client Journey and highlights what NBSL need from you as the providers of the services. This can also be downloaded here: download here If you would like to speak with us prior to applying for funding, you can contact us via our dedi

Hiring a consultant to assist with an ISO 9001 project can provide several benefits to an organisation. Here are some key advantages : Expertise and Knowledge: ISO 9001 is a complex standard that requires a deep understanding of its requirements and implementation best practices. A consultant specialising in ISO 9001 can bring valuable expertise and knowledge to the project. They are familiar with the standard's intricacies, interpretation, and practical application, which c

ISO management standards are a series of internationally recognised frameworks that can assist you to manage your business processes more effectively. Independent third-party certification to ISO Standards is evidence that you conform to the ISO management standard(s) that you wish to adopt. ISO certification can give your organisation local, regional, national & international credibility. Is ISO certification right for you? - This is quite a simple Process...    If you answe

We spend a lot of time researching and listening to our clients and so called 'experts' in the field of ISO Standards and thought, well hoped that we could clarify a few things and help dispel many common miss-conceptions associated with the perception of auditing management systems. Myth 1; "The auditor is only interested in our procedures." Buster 1; A good auditor will be more interested in the process behind the procedures, how effective these are and how they have been