To avoid duplicating efforts or having conflicting objectives, and in order to streamline management and operation procedures, more companies are developing integrated management systems that cover requirements of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, etc.

In fact ISO 9001: 2000, ISO 14001: 1996 and OHSAS 18001:1999 share common/similar management system principles and are all written with integration in mind, so as to facilitate the integration of quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems by organisations.

Benefits of IMS:

Better management

• Helps to focus management priorities and strategies


• Removes conflicting systems and enables performance measures that are complementary


• Removes doubt about responsibility


• Establishes recognition of links between activities


• Unifies purpose/consensus through objectives and targets


• Allows for informed and holistic decision making


• Reduces documentation

Cost reduction and increased competitiveness

• Removes duplication of effort - eg by combining similar system procedures, and therefore improves cost and resource effectiveness


• 'Combined' internal system audits can save man hours


• Reduces third-party certification costs, especially if your certification body is capable of providing fully integrated audits


• Improves customer perception

Useful links:

• Introduction of the integrated management system