ISO 45001 Certification: Costs, Benefits, and Steps
Many organizations around the world are already using the ISO 45001 standard as a way to manage health and safety risks. While certification to the standard is not required, it can be beneficial. Below, we’ll explore what ISO 45001 certification means, who might want to consider it, and what’s involved in getting certified.
What does ISO 45001 certified mean?
ISO 45001 is an international standard that specifies requirements for an occupational health & safety (OHS) management system. It provides a framework for organizations to manage risks and opportunities to help prevent worker illnesses and injuries.
ISO 45001 certification means that you have achieved full compliance with the standard. Pursuing ISO 45001 certification is a way to demonstrate your commitment to your employees’ health and well-being and to continuous safety improvement.
Benefits of ISO 45001 certification
- Comply with regulations
- Manage operational risk
- Increase stakeholder confidence
- Protect your organization
- Win contracts & gain a competitive advantage
Who should consider certification?
As we said before, getting certified to the ISO 45001 standard is not required. Many organizations choose to use the standard without pursuing certification, and still reap the rewards. However, there are a few reasons and organization might choose to pursue certification.
When it comes to contracts, some RFPs or RFQs may require (or at least recommend) compliance with the standard. In that case, taking the extra steps to achieve certification may give your organization a leg up. And of course, since full compliance helps you reduce risk and use resources efficiently, many companies also see financial benefits.
How much does ISO 45001 certification cost?
The answer is, of course, it depends. You’ll need to consider the cost of implementing an ISO 45001 management system, purchasing standards, attending courses, and hiring consultants and auditors. A small organization might only spend $10,000-15,000, while a larger organization may spend significantly more. That said, an effective ISO 45001 management system can help your company save money in the long run.
How to get ISO 45001 certified
Once you have an ISO 45001 management system in place, certification is fairly straightforward. The International Standards Organization (ISO) doesn’t actually offer certification, so if you want to get certified, you’ll have to go through an accredited third-party. Here are the basic steps in getting certified to ISO 45001:
- Develop and implement an ISO 45001 management system
- Schedule an audit with an accredited third-party
- An auditor will review your processes and implementation to ensure you are compliant
- If needed, fix any compliance issues identified in the audit
- Once you meet all the requirements, you’ll receive an ISO 45001 certificate
Many organizations choose to hire a consultant to guide them through the ISO 45001 implementation and certification process. The benefit of this approach is that you’ll have a trusted advisor who knows the ins and outs of the standard so you don’t have to figure it all out yourself.
Using health & safety management software like Lisam ComplyStation can also make the compliance and certification process easier. A centralized software system helps you keep track of all the information you’ll need to show compliance. Not only that, but it can help you improve the way your company manages risks and prevents incidents.
Your takeaway
In all, ISO 45001 certification can help your organization achieve an even higher standard of safety performance. Whether or not you choose to pursue certification, your organization can likely benefit from using the ISO 45001 standard.
Next, read our ISO 45001 implementation tips.