What is an Integrated Management System and why is it important?

An Integrated Management System (IMS) combines a company’s systems, processes and standards into one overall system.

In a nutshell: 

  • An Integrated Management System (IMS) combines a company’s systems, processes and standards
  • Integrating ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 is one of the most common approaches
  • An IMS can help a company focus on quality compliance, environmental controls, and health and safety management as one discipline
  • An integrated set of standards gives clients clear and simple, consolidated information

It can streamline the management, auditing and certification of standards but, more importantly, can bring together areas that are often closely related.

This is particularly relevant in the façade industry, which is complex at the best of times. But when a project involves close collaboration between a range of companies – from metalworkers and fabricators, to coating experts and installers – a good IMS system pays dividends.

For example, integrating ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 helps all separate companies and disciplines focus on quality compliance, environmental controls, and health and safety management within one single discipline.

  • ISO 9001 sets out the criteria for a quality management system
  • ISO 14001 is designed to improve and control environmental performance
  • ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety

An integrated set of standards helps give clients the consolidated information they need – clearly and simply. And, of course, in the example above, it aligns with the growing importance of HSEQ being managed centrally.

About Maple’s IMS

Maple’s ISO 9001: 2015, ISO 14001: 2015 and ISO 45001 certificates were successfully renewed after a nine-day audit of the IMS by a UKAS accreditation body.

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