ISO in Canada

About ISO

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a non-governmental organization whose members represent over 165 countries, and it is the world’s largest developer of voluntary international standards. More than 20,000 standards have been published, ranging from manufactured goods and technology to food safety, agriculture, and healthcare. Using ISO standards helps build safe, dependable, high-quality products and services, and helps organizations increase output while reducing errors and waste – improving the efficiency of global trade.

What is ISO certification?

ISO standards give organizations a shared understanding of how to carry out processes efficiently and consistently around the world. They set out what organizations should do, how to check for quality, and what is expected for quality assurance. Certification provides assurance to customers that an organization is implementing recognized standards properly.

Common ISO standards

Common standards your organization can be certified to include:

• ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
• ISO/IEC 27001:2022 – Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) 
• ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems (OHSMS)
• ISO 22000:2018 – Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS)
• ISO 22301:2019 – Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS) 
• ISO 50001:2018 – Energy Management Systems (EnMS)

Is ISO certification mandatory?

ISO certification is generally not mandatory, but it helps an organization align with globally recognized practices for a smoother, more efficient management system. In some industries, ISO certification may be required by legislation or by contract. Even where it is not, ISO standards offer real advantages:

• Saving time and money by identifying and resolving recurring issues
• Improving the efficiency of systems and processes
• Improving customer satisfaction and retention
• Being more competitive in contract tenders
• Increasing the value of your resources
• Strengthening your credibility with customers

Why should my company get certified?

First, consider whether ISO certification is right for your organization. There are many reasons to pursue it: ISO is known for best practices and high quality, so certification can provide a long-term competitive advantage or a point of differentiation from competitors. It gives you recognition both locally and internationally, helping you grow your market and strengthen business relationships.

The cost of certification

The cost of building and implementing a formal management system depends on your organization’s size and complexity, your internal procedures, and factors such as the number of sites, scope of work, and number of shifts. The main cost areas are:

• Development: the time spent documenting and implementing the system.
• Training: training staff to create the required documents and to plan and conduct effective internal audits.
• Registration: the audit and certification of the management system.

ISO training

Organizations can provide ISO training to staff to help them meet various ISO standards. Training is usually offered at three levels:

• Lead Auditor Training – the highest level, equipping people to conduct third-party audits and train others.
• Internal Auditor Training – a mid-level course preparing internal auditors to audit within a company.
• Foundation / Awareness Training – an overview to build a basic understanding of the standard.

Training gives individuals the knowledge to implement ISO standards within their organizations, and is an essential step before a company can achieve certification.

The bottom line

ISO certification benefits organizations large and small, in business and in the public and institutional sectors. Because it is globally recognized, it increases the credibility of your operations on a larger scale and helps drive efficiency and customer satisfaction. Customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders place greater trust in organizations that follow ISO standards, which supports stronger, more positive business relationships.

Contact IAS today to learn more about ISO certification in Canada, or visit our frequently asked questions page.

Explore more

• ISO Certification in Canada – all IAS management system schemes
• ISO 9001 in Canada – the most widely adopted standard
• Organizations Getting Certified to ISO – a beginner’s