Integrated management systems enable you to overcome the disadvantages of parallel systems and save time and resources through combined audits – and thus save money.
Combining parallel systems to form an efficient whole
An integrated management system (IMS) takes into account the common principles of ISO management standards and, based on these, integrates the requirements of several system standards. Based on a quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001, topics such as energy (ISO 50001), environment (ISO 14001), occupational health and safety (ISO 45001) and information security (ISO/IEC 27001) are taken into account.
This integration not only simplifies the setup and maintenance of the management system, but also saves effort, time and costs during certification.
Almost all of our auditors are qualified to audit according to several certification standards at the same time. They always examine an integrated management system (IMS) from different angles and thus quickly identify a wide range of improvement potential that will help your company move forward.
Do you have any questions about the certification of your IMS? Feel free to contact us!
Benefits of Certification
Reduce Complexity
A uniform system and clear responsibilities reduce the effort involved in internal and external audits.
Save Costs
Networked internal teams and the combined auditing of multiple systems allow you to conserve your human resources and reduce costs.
Ensure Comliance
A legal register common to all systems facilitates maintenance and thus creates the basis for always being on the safe side in all relevant areas.
Integrated management systems do not emerge overnight; they are usually developed step by step. To this end, additional aspects are incorporated into an existing system (e.g. for quality based on ISO 9001), such as environmental aspects according to ISO 14001, then energy according to ISO 50001. On the other hand, systems that have grown in parallel over time can also be merged retrospectively.
All current management system standards must comply with the ISO/IEC 2012 directive and thus be structured in accordance with the High-Level Structure (HLS) or now Harmonised Structure (HS). This means that they have the same chapter structure with standard text passages for main and sub-chapters, common terms and definitions.
For systemic integration, this means that the subsystems become ‘invisible’ in a comprehensive management system and topics such as quality ISO 9001, environment ISO 14001, etc. are dissolved into the individual responsibility of the respective processes. The company is organised according to a process-oriented approach.
There is no certification standard for integrated management systems (IMS). However, standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 have many similarities due to the HLS, e.g. structure, PDCA cycle, process orientation, risk management.
Each management system and the respective standard points must be individually reviewed and certified, regardless of whether the management systems exist in parallel or are integrated.
Advantages do not result from ‘a common standard’, but from practical experience in auditing IMS.
Process-oriented auditing of several management systems at the same time results in a wide range of synergy effects:
Our auditors are qualified for several systems and can cover them in a single audit.
Interviews with management and employees can be conducted for several systems at the same time – this also saves time and money. It also spares your staff the ‘frustration’ of double interviews.
Audit appointments can be combined and the duration of the on-site audit is reduced by up to 20%.
All in all, this results in considerable cost advantages compared to handling the individual procedures separately.
The greatest potential for the certification of integrated management systems arises from joint audit cycles, as staggered certification cycles result in longer audit times and thus higher costs for recertification.
We would be happy to provide you with an individual quote or answer any questions you may have. As a subsidiary of the AFNOR Groupe, we offer our services worldwide.
Please note: Audit time is only reduced if the management system is actually integrated.
GUTcert offers a wide range of certification services and can therefore certify several management systems in your company at the same time, also in combination with other services such as sustainability reporting or waste management companies (EfbV).
What is the process for certifying an IMS?
The certification process according to ISO management standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001 or ISO 45001 is based on the specifications of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the specifications of the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) for the certification of management systems DIN EN ISO/IEC 17021-1.
Details on the GUTcert certification procedure can be found in the overview of GUTcert audit procedures.
When combined with services such as EfbV or sustainability audits, the relevant regulations apply. We would be happy to advise you individually by telephone.
Can I change from my certifier to GUTcert?
You want competent contact persons and speedy processing of your certification – you can expect that from us. With their trained, holistic view, our auditors also provide new impetus for your company.
Don't wait until the new certification cycle: you can switch easily during the year when the review audit takes place. With our change service, we support you in switching from your existing certifier to GUTcert in just a few steps.
Our audit manager was well informed, the implementation was competent and always on time.
Achim Wetzel, IDR-Entsorgungsgesellschaft mbH
[Translated with DeepL]
In the years of cooperation, we have had various auditors in our company, but all of them were competent, honest, fair and you could immediately recognise that they were interested in advancing the company. The successful co-operation is already evident from the fact that Vosseler GmbH has been able to continuously improve and develop its management systems over the period of certification by GUTcert.
Martin-Werner Fazekas, Vosseler GmbH
[Translated with DeepL]
Good, uncomplicated, friendly and fast service. A very good collaboration!
Kirsten Sonntag, Jung Papier GmbH
[Translated with DeepL]
A company can (certainly) tolerate several systems. But only one integrated system works much more efficiently!
Matthias Brendel, Pfeifer & Langen
[Translated with DeepL]
Beauftragter (gn) für integrierte Managementsysteme und Compliance-Sicherung (GUTcert) mehr Infos
Das Rechtskataster – Ein universelles Werkzeug zur Sicherung der Compliance mehr Infos
Publications
All publications on the subject of integrated management systems and other helpful GUTcert publications can be found under Publications.
