How to Choose the Right Standard
Regulatory Requirements
National or regional laws, regulations, and administrative guidelines may require the application of a specific ISO standard or allow compliance to be demonstrated through it.
Examples:
- ISO 13485 (Medical Devices): The European MDR or the US FDA requires a quality system based on ISO 13485.
- ISO 14001 (Environmental Management): Required for environmental law compliance in factories or the construction industry.
- ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security): Linked with personal information protection laws and industrial secret protection laws.
How to Check:
- Check requirements in announcements from relevant industry administrative agencies, legal notices, and industry association guidelines.
- Verify if an ISO standard is specified as a requirement for certification or as a standard for compliance.
Customer Requirements
Major clients or business partners often require a specific ISO certification as a condition for bidding, contracts, or as part of supplier evaluation criteria.
Examples:
- Automotive OEM customers → Require IATF 16949 certification.
- Overseas buyers → Require ISO 9001 or ISO 14001.
- Cloud-based services → Require ISO/IEC 27001 or ISO/IEC 27701.
How to Check:
- Check the customer's bidding documents, supplier registration requirements, and quality/security clauses in contracts.
- Reflect customer feedback and requirements collected by the sales and marketing teams.
Linkage with ISO Standards
| Business Risk / Goal | Related ISO Standard Example |
|---|---|
| Poor product quality, customer complaints → Quality improvement | ISO 9001 (Quality Management) |
| Data breaches, inadequate information security | ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security) |
| Environmental pollution, non-compliance with environmental laws | ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) |
| Industrial accidents, worker safety | ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management) |
| Supply chain disruption, outsourcing risks | ISO 28000 (Supply Chain Security), ISO 9001 |
| Responding to climate crisis, increasing ESG pressure | ISO 14001, ISO 50001 (Energy), ISO 26000 (CSR Guidance) |
Business Strategy Analysis
- Review mid-to-long-term business plans and management goals.
- Organize key business areas and market requirements.
Conduct a Risk Identification Workshop
- Involve relevant departments (e.g., Production, Quality, Security, Management).
- Utilize internal SWOT or PEST analysis.
Matching with ISO Standards
- Based on the identified risks and goals, link them to the ISO standard that can serve as a solution.
- Consider integrating multiple standards if necessary (e.g., ISO 9001 + ISO 14001).
Selecting the Appropriate ISO Standard
GCerty experts analyze your company's industry characteristics, customer needs, scope of legal application, and business goals to propose the most suitable ISO standard.
Examples:
- Proposing ISO/IEC 27001 for an IT-based service organization.
- Recommending ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000 for food manufacturers, etc.
Guidance on Actual Audit Criteria
GCerty provides specific details on what documents, procedures, and evidence are required for the actual audit.
This helps reduce unnecessary documentation or system implementation and prevents mistakes or waste during the preparation process.
Consultation on Cost and Certification Procedures
We provide information on the estimated costs and time required based on the organization's size, scope of certification, certification cycle, etc.
Examples:
- Single site vs. multiple sites, whether an integrated audit will be conducted.
Explaining techniques or tools for improvement and the meaning and intent of certification
Through the provision of general information, we explain techniques or tools for improving processes or systems, describe the meaning and intent of the certification standards, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Advice on complex situations such as transition or integrated certification
Examples:
- Transition from ISO 9001:2015 → ISO 9001:2026.
- When a complex certification strategy is needed, such as establishing an integrated management system for ISO 14001 + ISO 45001.
