Steps for Implementation of the ISO 55001 Asset Management System

Whether an organization is small, medium, or large, assets are integral to its day-to-day operations. They can be both tangible and intangible. They must be managed effectively to achieve the intended purposes, and your business realizes potential value. The ISO 55001 Asset Management System (AMS) is vital for most organizations as they process and use numerous assets, including vast capital assets.

8 Steps to Implement the ISO 55001 Asset Management System

You can implement the ISO 55001 Asset Management System by following these steps:

Step 1: Decide on the organization’s objectives regarding the management of assets and plan the structure of the AMS.

Step 2: Write a comprehensive asset management policy that intends to include all assets of your organization,

Step 3: Determine a Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) to document how your organization will achieve the asset management objectives.

Step 4: Set up the asset management performance metrics, which will help to track whether the objectives are achieved.

Step 5: Make the plan, arrange the resources, and specify the timeline and training programs of staff required to implement the AMS.

Step 6: Go ahead with implementing the AMS, aligning with the decided objectives and policies of the asset management system.

Step 7: Check the effectiveness of the AMS and evaluate its performance over time to find areas of focus for improving your asset management.

Step 8: Perform an internal audit and check its compliance with requirements of the ISO 55001 standard and, subsequently, implement any corrective actions if required to improve compliance.

Final Verdict

The ISO 55001 standard provides the requirements for establishing a competent Asset Management System (AMS), which will help you govern assets, minimize risks and improve performance. Thus, the ISO 55001 Asset Management System is a holistic approach for businesses to manage their assets, providing beneficial returns in the long run. These returns are improved organizational resilience, enhanced decision-making in asset investments, reduced downtime and losses, improved financial performance, and better stakeholder relationships.

Why is ISO 55001 Asset Management System Important for You?

Assets are an inherent part of a business. They help you to operate smoothly and achieve your objectives or goals. However, if they are not managed well, they can delay your operations, drain resources, and lead to higher costs. Therefore, managing assets effectively is essential for businesses that seek success and want a competitive advantage. The ISO 55001 Asset Management Standard can help you do that.

ISO 55001 is the standard that defines best practices for organizations to handle their assets throughout their lifecycle effectively. The standard helps you develop an Asset Management System with which you can control assets, optimize their performance, reduce risks, and get higher returns.

Here are the exact reasons why your business needs the ISO 55001 Asset Management System:

Systematic management of an asset’s lifecycle.
Ensure your assets fulfill the functions that they are intended to and maximize your returns.
Reduce operating costs by continually improving asset management and eliminating risks.
Develop viable cash flows by optimizing the performance of assets.

Some further reasons why you need the ISO 55001 Asset Management System:

Manage the risks associated with the ownership of assets.
Enhance the organization’s resilience and brand reputation.
Strengthen the relationship with stakeholders by managing the assets they invested in.
Support the growth and improvement of your business.

Conclusion

The potential benefits of the ISO 55001 Asset Management System justify why your business could have it. It helps your business in many ways, from gaining the confidence of stakeholders to increasing resilience and assuring higher profitability. It ensures good asset governance while minimizing risks and increasing your returns on investments.

To implement the ISO 55001 Asset Management System in your organization, you need a TUV Austria Bureau of Inspection and Certification team who can help you understand its requirements and develop an Asset Management System that complies with you.

5 Quality Assurance Certifications that Businesses Need to Get

Businesses need to learn about the key quality assurance certification and make the necessary organizational changes to achieve each one. These certifications will not only demonstrate a high level of performance in areas like quality, environmental management, information security, and so forth. Still, they will also make you competitive in the industry. In other words, the certifications will make the company look attractive, set you apart when customers, stakeholders, and partners are exploring options, and ultimately drive them to explore doing business with the company intensely.

Therefore, if your company does not have these quality certifications, your business might miss out on great opportunities to expand and grow.

5 Most Widely Used Quality Assurance Certifications

While there are many quality assurance certifications, here are the most popular and widely used ones in your business area:

ISO 9001
ISO 14001
ISO 45001
ISO 27001
ISO 50001

ISO 9001

It is the certification for quality management system or QMS, and achieving it will ensure your business can meet customer satisfaction by delivering the finest quality products/services.

Also Read | ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System

ISO 14001

The certification for environmental management will help your business reduce its environmental impacts, including carbon emissions, toxic waste, preserve natural resources, etc.

Also Read | ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System

ISO 45001

The certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management assures that your organization maintains a healthier, safer workplace and takes care of the well-being of employees.

Also Read | ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System

ISO 27001

This valuable certification leads to the implementation of best information security practices and demonstrates your business’s efforts to protect valuable information assets and preserve the confidentiality of stakeholders.

Also Read | ISO 27001:2018 Information Security Management System

ISO 50001

This is the certification for energy management systems and helps businesses reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint amidst climate change and sustainability.

How to Get a Quality Assurance Certification?

If you need a quality assurance certification or certifications for your business, you must first learn about implementing each certification’s management system. An independent certification body will evaluate whether the plan complies with the certificates, and after confirming that, they will award the certification to your business.

While many businesses get certified independently, getting in touch with the TUV Austria Bureau of Inspection and Certification team is always recommended to seek expert guidance and get certified in one go.

What are the New Aspects of the ISO 45001 Standard?

Organizations of all types and sizes are making occupational health and safety (OHS) management systems a priority because it helps to protect their workers from accidental injuries, workplace risks, and illnesses. The ISO 45001 certification was introduced to help businesses develop a uniform framework for the OHS management system and prevent work-related risks. While there was already a standard addressing the same, i.e., OHS 18001, this new standard brings a fresh perspective with broad principles that will help companies to strengthen their OHS management system and remain compliant with international OHS laws and regulations.

Fundamental Changes that the ISO 45001 Standard Brings

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced ISO 45001 to make the OHS management system more comprehensive for businesses. The fundamental changes are:

OHS 18001 focuses on managing risks and internal workplace issues. In contrast, ISO 45001 focuses on addressing the interactions of the company with its interior as well as external environment to reduce risks and enhance the well-being of workers.
OHS 18001 is procedure based, which means it solely focuses on preventing risks or hazards with appropriate measures. At the same time, ISO 45001 is process-based and concentrates on finding reasons behind the risk and eliminating them.
OHS 18001 focuses on finding solutions or mitigating the risks, whereas ISO 45001 focuses on identifying risks and opportunities for improving your OHS performance.
OHS 18001 does not emphasize the interests of stakeholders or interested parties, while ISO 45001 needs organizations to consider their views to make OHS management more effective and to create a better working environment.

Key Takeaway: How to Transition from OHS 18001 to ISO 45001?

If you are concerned about your employees’ safety, get your OHS management system migrated from OHS 18001 to the ISO 45001 certification. A certification body will perform a thorough audit of your processes and OHS management system to ensure all requirements of ISO 45001 are met. On being assured of its compliance, they would grant the certification.

1). Analyse your present OHS management system and recognize its gaps against the ISO 45001 requirements.

2). Establish the goals of your OHS management system and determine its structure and scope.

3). Provide training to employees and implement the changes required in the OHS management system.

4). Perform an internal audit to ensure the ISO compliance of the OHS management system and apply for certification.

5 Key Tips to Pass ISO Certification Audit

Businesses willing to get the ISO Certification to demonstrate their credibility and stand out in the competitive marketplace must pass an audit first. Known as a certification audit, this is where an accredited certification body conducts a thorough evaluation of the processes and management system of the business. TUV Austria Bureau of Inspection and Certification audits to ensure that the company conforms to all requirements of the chosen ISO standard so that they can grant the certification.

Related: Certification Process

If you have submitted an application for an ISO certification and prepared for it, then you should pass the certification audit in the first go around, but here are some helpful tips to follow.

Prepare the staff for the audit process by coaching everyone, holding training sessions, and tutoring them about the elements of the management system.
Prepare all the key documents, including business process instructions, policies, quality manual, training procedures, best practices, etc., and make them readily possible.
Develop an audit mindset, i.e., ensure all members are ready to interact and cooperate with the auditors. They should also acknowledge the feedback or observations the auditors presented after the evaluation positively.
Do a risk-based analysis to find risks or non-conformities before the certification audit. It will help mitigate the risks and make you confident of the potential audit outcome.
Hold a closed-door meeting once the audit is complete to review the findings and ensure everyone, especially management, understands the findings. This will assist in deciding appropriate actions to resolve any issues found in the audit.

Key Takeaway

Add additional stress or restriction before the audit will increase the level of difficulty passing. It should be used by businesses as an excellent opportunity to find out what is effective in your business and what are needs some modifications or corrections. You can also prepare your business for the ISO certification audit by performing an internal audit. This will ensure that your business conforms to the standard’s requirements and that your process is efficient and ready for the actual audit.

Tips to Improve Business Management System

Many organizations do not recognize it but have a Business Management System (BMS). It helps them to get their routine activities and operations done systematically. Therefore, businesses must make their BMS effective. A more effective BMS will help your organization to streamline its processes and achieve goals faster.

A BMS can be made effective by integrating standard management practices and tools. Eventually, it will help to align your organizational strategy and objectives with your processes.

These benefits justify why your business needs a BMS:

Well-defined performance metrics for assessment of business performance.
Processes aligned with the strategic organizational objectives.
Cross-functional and cooperative teams are working together to achieve company-wide goals.
Enhanced management of employees and increased employee retention.
Improved operational efficiency and faster delivery of products/services.

Top Tips to Improve Your Business Management System:

Ensure top management commitment and develop leadership.
Engage employees and encourage their participation in executing strategy.
Deploy goals and inform the employees about them.
Determine and align the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Track performance and initiate plans to further improve the performance.

Conclusion

There are many scopes for improvement in businesses. An Integrated Business Management System (BMS) will help you to realize the opportunities for improvements. However, to make your BMS effective, you need to implement the standards like ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, etc., which will strengthen different aspects of your business management. Quality environmental protection, information security, and employee safety are key areas you can focus on in your business management with ISO standards.

Managing Information Security Risks with ISO 27001

Organizations today look forward to achieving the ISO 27001 certification for managing information security and assuring the privacy of their clients and employees. This certification standard developed by the ISO underlines the information security guidelines and best practices for organizations.

Keyways ISO 27001 Helps to Ensure Information Security

The ISO 27001 standard focuses on establishing an Information Security Management System (ISMS), which helps manage the risks. Here is how.

Enforces robust security procedures and practices that check the information security aspects of the process, technologies, and people of the organization.
This leads to adopting a process approach that helps implement, monitor, and improve the ISMS and control risks from different sources.
It helps meet data security laws and industry regulations, which allow avoiding breaches, fines, and litigations.

Benefits of Ensuring Information Security With ISO 27001

Protecting your business’s information assets and devices assures the following benefits for your business.

Ensuring the confidentiality of clients and all stakeholders.
Establishing the integrity of your business.
Gaining recognition as a reliable business.
Gaining a competitive advantage in the industry.
Reduction in costs due to prevention of security breaches and risks.

Key Takeaway

With the ISO 27001 certification, your organization is not only able to protect its information assets and systems but also meets compliance with data security practices and legal obligations. Compliance helps them get recognized both in the domestic and international markets and more opportunities or contracts. Thus, before it is too late, get a well-structured ISMS framework, achieve the certification, and increase the protection of your information while reducing risks and costs.

7 Prerequisites of Occupational Health and Safety Management System

Organizations must take care of their employees or workers as they are their most significant assets. Work-related risks, health issues or sicknesses, and occupational hazards are inevitable in almost all sectors. While risks are severe in some industries like manufacturing, construction, chemical, oil, energy, etc., the chances are less in the IT or service sectors. However, every organization should have a definite occupational health and safety management system to prevent whatever risks their workers are exposed to.

7 Key Elements of OHS Management System

To make your organization’s approach to ensuring the safety of employees, develop an OHS management system including these core elements.

1. Policy/Planning

You must create a valid policy or statement presenting the OHS goals to achieve and practices to implement.

2. Incident Reporting

There must be a definite method to report accidents, injuries, or any risks at the workplace to the OHS management representatives.

3. Employee Training

Training and Awareness sessions should be conducted to ensure that the employees follow the practices and know their roles to provide for each other’s safety.

4. Risk Assessment

The senior management team should periodically conduct risk assessments within the workplace.

5. ISO 45001 Compliance

Achieving compliance with the ISO 45001 standard should ensure that your OHS management system meets the international OHS regulations.

6. Communication

There should be a two-way dialogue between employees and management to ensure that all OHS risks are reported and addressed quickly.

7. Data Record

The OHS management system should collect adequate data on OHS performance.

Final Verdict

A health and safety management system is crucial for your organization to ensure the safety of your valuable employees. Incorporating all these components will ensure that your organization has implemented the best OHS management system, which is also compliant with the internationally acclaimed ISO 45001 standard.

Whether you have an OHS management system or need to update it, you will want to implement a new approach to ensure you’re ISO compliant with these seven elements.

Also Read: 8 Components Necessary for Implementing the ISO 45001 OHSMS

3 Key ISO Certifications Awarded to Nishat Hotels & Properties Ltd.

Another celebratory moment for TUV Austria BIC. TUV Austria BIC. Successfully issues ISO 9001, ISO 22000 & HACCP Certificates of Compliance to Nishat Hotels & Properties Ltd.

ISO 9001

ISO 9001 is the most recognized ISO certification that outlines the requirements for quality management in businesses, service centers, and even non-profit organizations. It calls for maintaining a solid quality management system or QMS to help enhance their overall performance, quality standards for products or services, and customer satisfaction. However, getting ISO 9001 certification can be a complex process involving many steps. Even after achieving certification, the organization has to maintain its compliance and renew it every 3 years. Therefore, businesses often make mistakes while getting certified.

Also Read: ISO 9001:2015 QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

HACCP

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, or HACCP, is a systematic preventive approach to food safety from biological, chemical, and physical hazards in production processes that can cause the finished product to be unsafe and designs measures to reduce these risks to a safe level. In this manner, HACCP attempts to avoid hazards rather than attempting to inspect finished products for the effects of those hazards.

The HACCP system can be used at all stages of a food chain, from food product and preparation processes to packaging, distribution, etc.

ISO 22000

ISO 22000 is an internationally recognized Food Safety Management System Standard. It provides requirements for any food industry organization intending to help improve overall performance in food safety. It applies to any organization within the food chain regardless of size, from feed producers, primary producers, food manufacturers, transport and storage operators, and subcontractors to retail and food outlets.

Also Read: ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System

Final Takeaway

Keeping it Simple, these essential ISO Certifications add value to a business. By ensuring an appropriate quality management system with ISO 9001, a food safety management system with ISO 22000 certification, or HACCP certification for all stages of the food chain, These certifications will help businesses prove their efficiency and commitment to quality.

Celebrating 75 years of independence Day

Celebrating 75 years of independence

Special Tribute from TUV Austria Bureau of Inspection and Certification on the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan

Independence Day was celebrated enthusiastically at all TUV Austria locations nationwide to reaffirm the company and TUV Austria BIC.’s commitment to Pakistan.

On 14^th August (Sunday), the country commemorated its 75^th Independence Day with great zeal and excitement and observed various activities and events to highlight the fight of our ancestors and national heroes for our separate homeland. Shops across the country have been selling various pins, badges, flags (handyman), etc., to decorate homes, offices, streets, etc.

This year on Pakistan’s 75^th anniversary, the staff of TUV Austria BIC. Pakistan came together to celebrate our country’s freedom in a commendable and graceful manner. It has become a tradition of the company to celebrate 14 August with great enthusiasm and energy as for other festivals. The office was remarkably decorated, and the staff’s excitement was immeasurable for the event. Everyone at the office came in Pakistan’s traditional attire, following a green & white color theme.

The overall event was a success, and every one was fulfilled at the end of the day.

In the video above, we have exhibited various unexplored scenic beauties which have remained unknown to the world from a tourism and scenic point of view. TUV Austria BIC. Pakistan has attempted to emphasize these unexplored regions and highlight their extravagant beauty.

To kick off the independence week, flags and badges were distributed amongst TUV Austria Bureau of Inspection and Certification staff across the country as they resumed office at the start of the week.