by on 18
July 2012
ISO has just completed work to provide identical structure,
text and common terms and definitions for management system standards of the
future. This will ensure consistency among future and revised management system
standards and make integrated use simpler. It will also make the standards
easier to read and, in so doing, be understood by users.
Three management system standards have already been published
in this new harmonized format with another seven on the way. Both ISO 9001 and
ISO 14001 will follow the new outline during their revision process.
Why ?
ISO has over the years
published many management system standards for topics ranging from quality and
environment to information security, business continuity management and records
management. Despite sharing common elements, ISO management system standards
come in many different shapes and structures. This, in turn, results in some
confusion and difficulties at the implementation stage.
From theory to practice
All technical committees developing management system standards
have to follow Annex SL in the new consolidated ISO Supplement. Annex SL
harmonizes structure, text and terms and definitions, while leaving the
standards developers with the flexibility to integrate their specific technical
topics and requirements. Box 1
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New requirements
There are subtle
language issues such as the change from document and records to documented
information, to the use of IT and other tools to illustrate what is being done.
The new text recognizes the use of the broad concept of risk and the need to
understand risk in the context of the management system. It also encourages
everyone to view preventive action as a broader concept than simply preventing
an incident from re-occurring.
No challenge is too big
Any change represents
challenges and opportunities. And this is no exception. Over the next few
months, we will promote understanding of what this change means to avoid
confusion and improve understanding among the affected technical committees, as
well as among the users of the standards.
What next ?
It will take a few
years before all existing management system standards have been fully
harmonized. However, there were an impressive number of standards that used the
new format as it was being developed.
Two of ISOʼs
flagship management system standards have launched their revision processes
(ISO 9001 and ISO 14001) and both will use the new format for their revisions. Box 2 sets out the list of
standards that have used the new approach.
The Joint Technical
Coordination Group (JTCG) is responsible for the development of the document at
the request of the ISO Technical Management Board (TMB). JTCG plans to collect
information on user experience in 2012. It is available to answer any questions
from standards writers, although users should initially ask their standards
developing community.
Box 2 :
Current status of the harmonization
o
ISO 30301:2011, Information and documentation – Management systems for records –
Requirements (Harmonized
with Annex SL)
o
ISO 22301:2012, Societal security – Business continuity management systems –
Requirements (Harmonized
with Annex SL)
o
ISO 20121:2012, Event sustainability management systems – Requirements with
guidance for use (Harmonized
with Annex SL)
o
ISO 39001, Road-traffic safety (RTS) management systems – Requirements with
guidance for use (Currently
being prepared for FDIS ballot with publication scheduled for September 2012
and in line with Annex SL)
o
ISO/IEC 27001, Information technology – Security techniques – Information
security management systems – Requirements (Revision is currently being
prepared for DIS ballot with publication scheduled for 2013, and in line with
Annex SL)
o
ISO 55001, Asset management – Requirements (Currently on CD ballot with
publication scheduled for 2014 and in line with Annex SL)
o
ISO 16125, Fraud countermeasures and controls – Security management system
– Requirements (Currently
on CD ballot with publication scheduled for 2013, and in line with Annex SL)
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The following MSS were published before the TMB decision and no
decision on revision has been taken
o
ISO 22000:2005, Food safety management systems –
Requirements for any organization in the food chain
o
ISO 28000:2007, Specification for security management systems for the supply
chain
o
ISO 30000:2009, Ships and marine technology – Ship recycling management systems
– Specifications for management systems for safe and environmentally sound
ship recycling facilities
o
ISO/IEC 20000-1:2011, Information technology – Service management – Part 1 : Service management system
requirements
o
ISO 50001:2011, Energy management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
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About the authors
Dr. Anne-Marie
Warris
Chair of JTCG and Chair
of ISO/TC 207, Environmental management, SC 1, Environmental management systems
Dr. Anne-Marie Warris, with 12 years of experience in
standardization, is the Chair of Joint Technical Coordination Group (JTCG), and
Chair of ISO technical committee ISO/TC 207, Environmental management, subcommittee SC 1,Environmental management systems. Dr. Warris is
responsible for ensuring that Lloydʼs Register Marine Division listens to, and supports, relevant
stakeholders in the environmental arena. She is a chartered engineer and
chartered environmentalist through The Energy Institute. Dr. Warris holds an
MBA from London Business School, a PhD in Combustion from Imperial College,
London.
Dr. Stefan Tangen
Secretary of JTCG and
Secretary of ISO/TC 223,Societal security
Dr. Stefan Tangen is the Secretary of JTCG and has been involved
in standardization for seven years. He is also the Secretary of ISO/TC 223, Societal
security, and works as a project manager at SIS, Swedish Standards
Institute. Dr. Tangen holds a PhD in Production Engineering.
