A management system is how an organisation organises its processes to achieve objectives. These could relate to quality, environmental performance, information security, energy use, health and safety, or other priorities.
A management system standard gives you a framework for managing these areas in a systematic, measurable and auditable way. From quality and environmental management to information security, innovation and, most recently, AI.
These standards aren’t one-size-fits-all checklists. They’re flexible frameworks that help you define what’s important, improve how you operate, and demonstrate to the world that you’re serious about doing things.
Technical standards, by contrast to management ones, define specific requirements for products, materials, methods or technologies.
When used together, the two breeds of standard create a powerful combination:
Management system standards ensure you're working in a consistent, well-controlled way.
Technical standards ensure the outputs (products or services) meet clearly defined performance or safety benchmarks.
Imagine you're manufacturing a component for the automotive sector.
A management system standard like ISO 9001 helps you maintain process control — ensuring consistent quality, tracking non-conformities, and engaging in continuous improvement.
Technical standards (such as BS EN ISO 898-1 for mechanical properties of bolts) define the exact technical performance your component must meet.
Together, they give customers assurance that:
You can reliably make the part to spec.
You have systems in place to detect and correct issues.
You're aligned with industry best practice.
Many management system standards include requirements or references to relevant technical standards. For example:
ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management) refers to the use of appropriate prerequisite programmes, many of which are based on food safety technical standards (e.g. hygiene practices, temperature control).
ISO 27001 (Information Security Management) can work alongside technical standards like ISO/IEC 27017 (cloud security controls) or ISO/IEC 27018 (data privacy in cloud computing).
This integration ensures your management approach reflects not only internal processes, but external expectations and evolving technologies.
There are many MSS, but here are some of the most relevant and helpful for small and growing businesses in the UK:
BS EN ISO 9001:2015+A1:2024 Quality management systems. Requirements Aims to help you consistently meet customer expectations. You’ll be guided to:
Understand your customers’ needs
Define clear roles and responsibilities
Monitor performance and feedback
Fix problems at the root cause
Why it matters: Many clients and tenders expect ISO 9001 certification. But even without going for certification, it’s a great way to improve how your business operates.
ISO 9001 is being revised. Follow progress to the arrival of the next version of ISO 9001 here.
BS EN ISO 14001:2015+A1 :2024 Environmental management systems. Requirements with guidance for use Helps you manage your impact on the environment, reduce waste, and use resources wisely. It covers:
Legal compliance (e.g. waste, emissions)
Reducing energy and materials use
Improving sustainability over time
Why it matters: Many supply chains now require evidence of environmental responsibility. This helps you show it and save money too.
BS EN ISO/IEC 27001:2023+A1:2024 Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection. Information security management systems. Requirements Helps protect sensitive data, your own and your customers’. It covers:
Identifying security risks (e.g. cyberattacks, data loss)
Managing access to data
Preparing for incidents
Why it matters: Data breaches are costly, and clients increasingly ask for proof of credible information security. Especially in professional services, tech, or finance.
BS EN ISO 45001:2023+A1:2024 Occupational health and safety management systems. Requirements with guidance for use Supports safer working environments and helps reduce accidents. You’ll look at:
Identifying hazards
Engaging your workforce
Meeting H&S regulations
Why it matters: Keeps people safe, reduces downtime, and supports your legal duties as an employer. Especially important in high-risk environments like construction or manufacturing.
ISO 45001 is being revised. You can keep track of its updates here.
BS EN ISO 22301:2019+A1:2024 Security and resilience. Business continuity management systems. Requirements Helps you plan for disruptions (like supply chain breakdowns or IT failures) and recover quickly. Covers:
Risk planning and response
Communication in a crisis
Ensuring critical functions continue
Why it matters: Keeps you resilient in tough times. You might find that many larger customers now want to see continuity planning in place.
BS ISO 50004:2020 Energy management systems. Guidance for the implementation, maintenance and improvement of an ISO 50001 energy management system Helps track and reduce your energy use. Looks at:
Setting clear goals for energy efficiency
Monitoring usage
Making improvements
Why it matters: Cut energy costs and carbon at the same time. Particularly useful in high energy use areas like manufacturing, food production, or transport sectors.
BS ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Information technology. Artificial intelligence. Management system This is a new standard to help you use artificial intelligence responsibly and safely. Addresses:
Ethics and transparency
Data quality
Managing AI risks
Why it matters: For any business starting to use AI tools or data-driven systems, this gives a forward-thinking way to stay in control.
Each management system standard follows a similar structure (called Plan–Do–Check–Act) to help you:
Plan what needs to happen
Do what you’ve planned
Check how it’s going
Act on what you’ve learned
This simple cycle helps you spot issues early, keep improving, and stay agile as your business changes.
Perhaps most importantly for growing businesses, a management system standard enables consistent quality, which in turn builds trust and loyalty from partners and customers. This consistency also enhances credibility, giving you a competitive edge when bidding for contracts or entering new markets.
For smaller businesses planning expansion, these standards provide a framework to scale operations effectively without losing control. They enable the integration of new processes and personnel, while also maintaining quality and efficiency as a business scales up. They're also invaluable when navigating emerging complexities. This could be expanding into new areas, implementing AI solutions, or working toward comprehensive sustainability goals.
Finally, management system standards can also ensure regulatory compliance, preventing legal complications or delays that can de-rail growth plans.
Finding and implementing the right management system standard requires thoughtful planning.
Start by clarifying your business objectives. this will guide your standard selection. Conduct an honest assessment of your current operations to identify where a standard could make the biggest difference.
Research the standards that align with your needs, whether industry-specific or generic options. Evaluate your resources, expertise, and readiness honestly. Don't hesitate to seek external assistance through consultants or training. Expert guidance can significantly streamline the process and improve your outcomes. BSI Knowledge is a great place to get started.
Success relies on commitment from the top, so it is essential to get leadership buy-in once you find the standard that works. Once leadership is bought-in, you can get other teams involved, explain the purpose, and build ownership across the business.
Once implemented, continuous self-evaluation becomes key. Regular internal audits help you track progress against your objectives and ensure you're conforming to the standard's requirements.
As part of this self-evaluation, consider how MSS can be integrated to remove duplication and improve efficiency. Remember to keep it simple. It is important to avoid building a system just to tick boxes.
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