LECTURE NO 01
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International
Systems and
Standards
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What is a Standard?
▪ A standard is a repeatable, harmonized, agreed and
documented way of doing something.
▪ Standards contain technical specifications or other precise
criteria designed to be used consistently as a rule,
guideline, or definition.
▪ They help to make life simpler and increase the reliability
and the effectiveness of many of the goods and services
we use.
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ISO (International Organization for
Standards)
▪ ISO is an independent, non-government organization that
develops and publishes the International Standards.
▪ ISO is derived from the Greek word “isos” which means
“Equal”
▪ International Standards give word-class specifications
▪ For Products, Services and Systems
▪ To ensure Quality, Safety and Efficiency
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Applications of International Standards
Agriculture
▪ ISO international standards
impact everyone, ISO covers
everywhere almost Health care
Information
and many
Technology
every more
industry
Food
Safety
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Need for ISO
Which provides
To ensure that
Requirements, materials,
ISO Develops Specifications, products,
Documents Guidelines or processes and
Characteristics services are fit
for their purpose
Which can be
used
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History
▪ The ISO story began in 1946 when delegates from 25
countries met at the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE)
in London and decided to create a new international
organization “to facilitate the international
coordination and unification of industrial standards”
▪ 23rd February 1947
▪ 22025 International standards
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ISO Standards Development
▪ The experts from a technical committee are responsible for a
specific subject area.
▪ They begin the process with the development of a draft that meets
a specific market need. This is then shared for commenting and
further discussion.
▪ The voting process is the key to consensus. If that is achieved then
the draft is on its way to becoming an ISO standard.
▪ If agreement is not reached then the draft will be modified further,
and voted on again.
▪ From first proposal to final publication, developing a standard
usually takes about 3 years.
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Key Principles in Standard Development
Iso standard respond to a need in
the market
They are based on global expert
opinion
They are developed through a
multi-stakeholder process
They are based on consensus
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Some Popular Standards
▪ ISO 9000 Quality Management System
▪ These set of standards provide guidance and tools for
companies and organizations who want to ensure that their
products and services consistently meet customer’s
requirement, and that quality is consistently improved.
▪ ISO/IEC 17025 Testing and Calibration Laboratories
▪ General requirements for the competence of testing and
calibration laboratories. In most countries, ISO/IEC 17025 is
the standard for which most labs must hold accreditation in
order to be deemed technically competent.
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Popular Standards
ISO 14001
Environmental
Management
ISO 45001
ISO 50001
Occupational
Energy
health and
Management
safety
Other
Popular
Standards
ISO 37001
ISO 26000
Anti-Bribery
Social
Management
Responsibility
Systems
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Certification & Conformity
▪ Certification:
▪ The provision by an independent body of written
assurance ( a certificate) that the product, service or
system in question meets specific requirements.
▪ ISO only develop International Standards, such as
ISO 9001, ISO 14001, but are not involved in their
certification and do not issue certificates.
▪ This is performed by external certification bodies,
thus a company or organization cannot be certified by
ISO.
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Certification & Conformity
▪ Conformity Assessment:
▪ It involves a set of processes that show our product, services
or system meets the requirement of a standard.
▪ Benefits of Conformity Assessment:
▪ It provides consumers and other stakeholders with added
confidence.
▪ It gives your company a competitive edge.
▪ It helps regulators ensure that health, safety and
environmental conditions are met.
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Benefits of ISO Standards
▪ A strategic tool for any size of business
▪ Reduce costs
▪ Satisfy consumers
▪ Open access to new markets
▪ Improve environmental performance
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Benefits of ISO Standards
▪ As a roadmap to better regulation
▪ It provides a strong basis for the development of national
and international regulation which helps to save time and
▪ Reduce barriers to international trade
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Benefits of ISO Standards
▪ Better regulation, better business, better products and
services
▪ With international standards on air, water and soil quality, on
emission of gases and radiation, and environmental aspects of
products, they protect the health of the planet and people, beyond
bringing economic benefits.
▪ Addressing all these and more, international standards mean that
consumers can have confidence that their products are safe,
reliable and of good quality.
