With a history spanning nearly eight decades, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is one of the most highly regarded standard developers in the world.

ISO currently caters to various industries by way of over 25,000 standards[1], however, three of these standards often combine to form a trifecta of operational excellence. In this insight, we’ll identify these three standards, what they signal to stakeholders, consumers, and the public, and why being audited for them simultaneously could position you ahead of the competition in the most cost and time-efficient way possible.

Quality Assurance, Environmental Responsibility and Occupational Safety

Amongst the thousands of ISO certifications that are granted to companies around the globe each year, three currently stand out in terms of the breadth of their adoption. These are:

• ISO 9001:2015 – a certification that shows an organization consistently delivers quality products and services and aims to continually improve as it grows
• ISO 14001:2015 – a certification focused on how a business minimizes its impact on the environment, a goal that is becoming increasingly important across most industries
• ISO 45001:2018 – a certification that highlights a company’s commitment to the health and safety of its workforce

This trio of certifications gets to the core of what many stakeholders are looking to see from the businesses they interact with – dedication to delivering a quality product while operating at the highest ethical level.

By holding all three standards, customers can see that you have a comprehensive system of processes to ensure all three facets – quality, sustainability and worker safety – are consistently prioritized. But this far-reaching triad of standards brings additional benefits, both from an internal and external standpoint.

[1] 2024, ‘How Many ISO Standards Are There?’, iso-accelerator.co.uk, (https://www.iso-accelerator.co.uk/news/post/how-many-iso-standards-are-there), accessed July 2025

Demonstrating Regulatory Compliance through ISO Certification

Firstly, holding these three certifications often allows you to demonstrate that your company complies with local, national and international regulations.

For example, ISO 9001 requires companies to develop a Quality Management System (QMS) that follows a framework set out by ISO. The processes that companies put in place to reinforce this QMS will often overlap with their legal obligations. For example, those working in the textile industry can incorporate processes pertaining to responsible chemical use and effective labelling, both of which are required by EU law.

And though these businesses would need to double-check that they are meeting 100% of what is expected of them, having consistent and robust processes in place by way of a QMS often goes a long way toward achieving this objective.

Likewise, holding ISO 14001 brings the side effect of aligning with the latest global targets to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions, while ISO 45001 requires your business to have sufficient procedures in place to avoid breaches of laws relating to areas such as manual handling, asbestos management, and display screen use.

ISO also continually revises its certification criteria, often reflecting what is going on in the world at that time, so they, and their certificate holders, stay responsive to the demands of stakeholders, consumers, and lawmakers.

ISO Certification Boosts Efficiency

Many studies have shown that ISO certified companies could benefit from an increase in productivity and profitability by introducing the robust processes required by that certification.

In one study published in 2024[2], it was found that those who adopted the ISO 45001 certification relating to occupational health and safety saw an increase in both metrics, with the authors positing that this could likely be attributed to the ISO certification helping the company build internal practices that streamline performance.

In another study undertaken by Kent Business School[3], the researchers found that when a hotel adopted ISO 9001 certification ‘to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction’, productivity and staff motivation increased, which in turn can lead to larger sales and enhanced profitability.

[2] Podrecca, Molinaro, Sartor and Orzes (23 April 2024), ‘The impact of ISO 45001 on firms’ performance: An empirical analysis’ (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/csr.2782)

[3] Dick, Gavin P.M., Heras?Saizarbitoria, Iñaki and Tarí, Juan José (2013), ‘Benefits of Quality Certification in Hotels: The impact of motives and the usage of quality tools’, Kent Business School Working Paper Series, 272. ISSN 1748-5795 https://kar.kent.ac.uk/37514/1/KBS%20WP%20272%20Quality%20hotel%20V2b%20Web.pdf

Market Opportunities Presented by ISO Certification

Though tenderers vary widely in the information they seek from potential vendors, one number comes up time and again – 9001. Most pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) require companies to provide confirmation of ISO 9001 certification. Not only that, but as consumers demand more transparency relating to environmental management and worker safety, more tender documents are also requesting that companies hold the ISO 14001 and/or ISO 45001 certifications.

This is because ISO certification sends a strong signal to buyers and procurement departments within organizations seeking new vendors. Though tender submissions are often weighty, it is impossible for a company to know everything about your internal processes when it comes to quality, environmental management, and worker safety. Detailing the ISO certifications you hold that cover these areas demonstrates your commitment to delivering on your promises and continually improving to ensure a positive customer experience. And since this signal is often a prerequisite for submission, ISO certification could be a vital component of your growth strategy.

In more general marketing terms, ISO certification can prove to be a powerful selling point when the motivation behind having it is correct. For example, in a 2011 study[4], it was discovered that the perception of a travel agency could be significantly and positively impacted by consumers being aware of their ISO certification status. In addition, ISO analyzed several studies[5], finding that certification can also enhance financial performance when you combine the lower costs generated by greater efficiency and the increased income brought in from new markets.

Therefore, though marketing should never be the overriding motivation for obtaining ISO certification, it is a welcome side effect, nonetheless.

Mitigating Risk Via ISO Certification

As previously demonstrated, ISO certification goes a long way in building trust with potential buyers. Those who hold the certification are often viewed as less risky options due to the processes they have in place to ensure quality, sustainability, and worker safety. This is achieved, mostly, by the robust quality management system (QMS) that businesses must implement as the cornerstone of their business practices. However, it is also worth noting that many ISO certifications stipulate a proactive approach to risk management.

ISO 9001 Clause 6.1, for example, states that “organizations [must] proactively identify and address risks and opportunities that could impact their Quality Management System (QMS)”. Similarly, ISO 45001 mandates that organizations should thoroughly and systematically examine their workplace for potential hazards, and ISO 14001 requires top management to be involved in identifying and eliminating risks to the environment.

ISO certifications also require organizations to be transparent with and accountable to the workforce, the supply chain, consumers, and the general public. By implementing documentation that is accessible and open to scrutiny, those who hold the ISO certification combination of 9001, 45001 and 14001 can subsequently avoid any PR emergencies relating to quality, worker safety, or environmental impact.

[4] Wu, S. I., & Jang, J. Y. (2011). The performance of ISO certification based on consumer perspective: A case study of a travel agency. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 24(3–4), 496–518. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2011.560704

[5] https://www.iso.org/news/2012/10/Ref1665.html

Conclusion

Pursuing the triad of ISO certifications that is ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 can bring a wealth of internal and external benefits to companies worldwide. However, becoming certified can often be seen as a financial and time-consuming investment, particularly if your company wants to obtain all three.

By working with a certification body like Control Union, with many years’ experience helping companies achieve ISO certification status, you can make the process cost-effective and time-efficient. Our expert auditors can audit your workplace once for all three certifications, giving you more time to relish in the many benefits afforded by being ISO certified.