1-9. Benefits of an Integrated Management System for ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001

ISO9001 (quality), ISO45001 (occupational health and safety), and ISO14001 (environment) are all management systems that are widely adopted as international standards. In recent years, many companies have been moving away from operating these systems individually and instead are adopting them as an "integrated management system (IMS)." This is because integration increases operational efficiency and has a direct impact on company-wide business management. Here we will summarize the benefits of adopting an integrated system.

The first benefit is the reduction of duplicated work. Each standard has common elements such as risk assessment, internal audits, education and training, and management reviews. Implementing them individually tends to result in duplication of record-keeping and meeting operations, but integrating them allows quality, health and safety, and the environment to be checked simultaneously in a single audit or review. This significantly reduces the burden on management departments and on-site staff, enabling more efficient operations.

The second benefit is the strengthening of company-wide risk management. Quality accidents, industrial accidents, and environmental accidents are all serious risks that directly affect corporate value. An integrated management system allows for cross-sectional analysis of these as "risks and opportunities for the organization," rather than treating them individually. For example, when introducing new equipment, more effective risk management can be achieved by simultaneously assessing not only the risk of quality defects but also safety risks and environmental impacts.

The third benefit is stronger involvement by management. In an integrated management system, top management centrally formulates policies and sets goals that integrate quality, the environment, and safety. This directly links management strategies with on-site improvement activities, promoting collaboration between departments. In the past, departments tended to be divided vertically, with "quality handled by the quality department" and "environment handled by the environmental department," but integration makes it possible to manage company-wide goals and also increases the maturity of the organizational culture.

The fourth benefit is the appeal it has to external parties. With ESG and CSR being emphasized throughout the supply chain, the introduction of an integrated management system is proof of a company's credibility as one that comprehensively manages quality, the environment, and safety. In particular, maintaining multiple certifications in an integrated manner is highly valued in relationships with global companies and major business partners, and there are an increasing number of cases where this gives a company an advantage in bidding and contracts.

The fifth benefit is the synergistic effect of improvement activities. For example, reducing the risk of industrial accidents by improving the working environment can simultaneously lead to stable quality and reduced waste. An integrated management system does not limit improvement activities to the perspective of a single standard, but instead provides a mechanism for evaluating multiple effects, maximizing the return on investment and improvement results.

However, when implementing this system, it is important not to fall into the trap of "formal integration." Simply integrating document systems may not penetrate the workplace and may instead lead to increased complexity. Process design rooted in practical work and employee education and awareness are essential.

Overall, integrating ISO9001, ISO45001, and ISO14001 brings about many benefits, such as improved business efficiency, strengthened risk management, integration with business strategies, and increased trust among stakeholders. Rather than simply maintaining certification, companies can establish sustainable competitiveness by utilizing an integrated management system as the foundation of their business.