ISO Survey 2014
The annual study by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) shows the number of certificates issued to management systems standards in the previous calendar year. With 1 609 294 certificates issued worldwide in 2014, slightly up on the previous year, the latest edition demonstrates moderate growth for almost all the ISO management systems standards covered by the survey, confirming trends observed over the last two years.
This market stabilization is, however, offset by three good performers exhibiting more sustained growth. Albeit less impressive than in previous years, ISO 50001 for energy management demonstrates a 40 % growth rate, led once again by Germany, responsible for 50 % of the 6 778 certificates reported. Similarly, food management standard ISO 22000 continues to deliver reliable performance with a 14 % growth rate, while ISO 16949 for the automotive sector shows accelerated progression with a commendable 8 %, signaling that economic recovery in the auto industry is holding up.
With 1 % and 7 % respectively, ISO’s flagship standards ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management) are gradually reaching stability although, as the cornerstones of the management system, it is also important to note that new extensively revised editions of both of these standards have been launched in 2015.
Finally, big news this year is the inclusion of a newcomer – ISO 22301 for business continuity – into the survey, motivated by a global awareness that organizations need to protect themselves against disruption in times of crisis. The new recruit made a timid breakthrough with 1 700 certificates, but is thought to hold good potential for the future.
Want to know more? You can find the whole survey with all the detailed findings, as well as an interactive map on the ISO website at www.iso.org.