The ISO Show

Blackmores UK
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Jul 17, 2024 • 19min

#183 How can ISO Standards help with ESG Compliance?

ESG compliance has fast become a focus for many organisations looking to address their wider sustainability profile.  However, its broad framework has left many scratching their heads on exactly where to start with evaluating and addressing various elements of Environmental, Social, and Governance compliance. For those looking for some direction, you may already have a solid foundation in place if you're certified to one or many ISO Standards. Today Steph Churchman will explain what ESG is, how it can be scored and what role ISO Standards can play in ESG compliance. You'll learn ·      What is ESG? ·      What scoring systems are available for ESG? ·      How can ISO Standards support ESG compliance? ·      What ISO Standards can support each pillar of ESG?   Resources ·      Isologyhub     In this episode, we talk about: [00:30] Join the isologyhub – To get access to a suite of ISO related tools, training and templates. Simply head on over to isologyhub.com to either sign-up or book a demo. [02:05] Episode summary: Steph will be breaking down what ESG compliance means, how ISO Standards can support ESG compliance and give some examples of what ISO Standards can support each pillar of ESG. [02:50] What is ESG? – ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. Analysis and evaluation against these three elements help organisations to consider different areas within their overall sustainability profile. The Environmental section looks at issues surrounding climate change and actions to address an organisation's environmental responsibility. This includes monitoring and management of your energy consumption, waste management and pollution. It also seeks to tackle how organisations can address, reduce and mitigate their overall environmental impact. The Social aspect is based around the relationships an organisation has with its stakeholders. This is focused on employees and looks at a broad range of topics including employee wellbeing, fair and competitive pay, benefits and human resource related policies. Considerations can also include wider business relationships such as supplier relations, local community and government work. Governance criteria focuses on creating a business environment that is fair, transparent, and accountable. Considerations in this area include board composition, fairness in pay structures and executive compensation, business ethics and risk management. [04:15] An evolution of CSR – CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is very similar to ESG, but is less sustainability focused. It also lacked substance in the form of effective and accountable scoring systems that held businesses to account. This is where ESG differs, with many scoring systems, certifications and even mandatory requirements driving businesses to address their compliance.  [04:45] ESG scoring – There are many schemes, scoring systems and certifications available for ESG, some of which are specific to industry sectors and company sizes. What one you pick will be up to you (note that some many be mandatory in select countries), however, here are a few examples: The S&P Global ESG Score – This assesses a company's performance and management of ESG risks and opportunities using a combination of company disclosures, media analysis, and industry-specific questionnaires. A score of 0-100 is given based on their findings and are relative within a company's industry sector. Fitch Ratings ESG Relevance Scores - Fitch Ratings assigns ESG Relevance Scores alongside their traditional credit ratings. These scores assess how ESG factors could impact a company's creditworthiness. Their scores range from 1-5, with 5 indicating the highest ESG relevance to credit risk. MSCI – They offer ESG ratings for a broad range of companies, it's not really limited by sector or size. They use a letter grade system, going from AAA-CCC, to assess a company's relative ESG risks and opportunities compared to its peers. The scoring for this one assigns companies as either an ESG leader, average or laggard within their industry.   [06:10] How can ISO Standards support ESG Compliance  – It's important to clarify that there's no single ISO standard that guarantees ESG compliance because ESG is a broad framework. However, ISO standards provide a strong foundation for implementing many aspects of an ESG strategy. [06:35] Supporting ESG – Structure and Framework: ISO standards offer a structured approach to managing environmental, social, and governance practices. This helps companies identify key areas for improvement and develop a systematic plan to address them. [07:10] Supporting ESG – Improved Performance: By following ISO standards, companies can demonstrably improve their environmental performance, social responsibility, and governance structures by putting in frameworks that align with best practice standards [07:30] Supporting ESG – Transparency and Credibility: Achieving certification to a relevant ISO standard involves a third-party audit, which verifies that a company's systems and processes meet the standard's requirements. This certification acts as a credible signal to stakeholders such as your investors, customers, regulators, that you're committed to ESG principles. [07:55] Supporting ESG – Risk Management:  Proactive management of ESG risks is a key component of any ESG strategy. Many ISO standards focus on risk identification and mitigation. For example, ISO 37001 (Anti-Bribery Management Systems) helps identify and address bribery risks, which can have significant financial and reputational consequences. Or ISO 45001 health and safety management, which requires risk assessments to be carried out to ensure the safety and well being of your employees on site locations, which would fall under the social aspect of ESG. [08:30] Supporting ESG – Competitive Advantage:  Strong ESG performance is increasingly sought after by investors and stakeholders. Implementing ISO standards can help companies demonstrate their ESG commitment and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. You'll also feel the benefit of gaining multiple badges, through ISO certification and possibly an ESG score if you choose to go through one of the official scoring schemes.   [08:55] Think of ISO standards as building blocks. They provide the foundation and structure for a strong ESG strategy. By implementing relevant standards and achieving certification, you can demonstrate a dedicated commitment to ESG principles.   [09:50] Join the isologyhub and get access to limitless ISO resources – From as little as £99 a month, you can have unlimited access to hundreds of online training courses and achieve certification for completion of courses along the way, which will take you from learner to practitioner to leader in no time. Simply head on over to the isologyhub to sign-up or book a demo. [11:55] What ISO Standards can support the Environmental aspect of ESG Compliance?: ·      ISO 14001: Environmental Management - This provides a framework for managing environmental impacts, reducing waste, and improving your resource efficiency. ·      ISO 50001: Energy Management – this helps companies monitor and  optimize their energy use with the aim to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. ·      ISO 20400: Sustainable Procurement – This will help you to adopt sustainable procurement principles and practices within your organisation, by looking at how you can reduce waste, choose more sustainable options for required resources, how you can extend the life of resources available through remanufacturing and recovery of waste, and encourages the use of more innovative products and services. ·      ISO 20121: Sustainable Event Management – This Standard is mostly applicable to the events sector, and aims to help reduce the amount of waste produced during events, either through potential energy savings and the production and recycling of resources used during an event. It's recently had an update, so check out our latest episode to find out what the changes are. ·      ISO 14064: Greenhouse Gas Verification – This provides a framework for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions. This is a crucial step if you're working towards Net Zero, as you need to know what your baseline is before you can work on reducing and offsetting remaining emissions. ·      ISO 14068: A framework for helping businesses achieve Net Zero, this standard will replace PAS 2060 in November 2025, so anyone looking into PAS 2060 now may be better off going with ISO 14068 as it includes more guidance on purchasing credible carbon credits. [14:15] What ISO Standards can support the Social aspect of ESG Compliance?:– ·      ISO 26000: Social Responsibility – which offers guidance on integrating social responsibility practices throughout your organization. ·      ISO 45001: Occupational Health and Safety Management - which helps companies create a safe and healthy work environment. It provides a robust set of requirements designed for improving workplace safety in organisations and supply chains, with the aim of reducing workplace injury and illness. ·      ISO 45003: Psychosocial Health & Safety Management aka Mental health in the workplace. For the last 4 years or so, work related stress, depression and anxiety has been the leading cause for work related ill-health cases and lost working days. That's according to the annual HSE reports, which clearly highlights a big issue that many more need to consider and address.    [14:15] What ISO Standards can support the Governance aspect of ESG Compliance?:– ·      ISO 9001: Quality Management – this is the leading global 'quality mark' for businesses and designed as a vital business improvement tool. It's quite simply A blueprint for running your business successfully. ·      ISO 22301: Business Continuity Management - Which provides a basis for planning to ensure your long-term survivability following a disruptive event. This is a Standard that many align with, but don't always certify to, and for good reason as it provides some invaluable guidance for establishing robust Business Continuity Plans. ·      ISO 27001: Information Security – This is a Standard that is common place for most sectors now, given how reliant we all are on tech. ISO 27001 will help you to implement an Information Security Management System (ISMS), which is a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information, ensuring it remains secure and available. It encompasses people, processes and IT systems. ·      ISO 37001: Anti-Bribery Management Systems - It's the International Standard that allows organizations of all types to prevent, detect and address bribery by adopting an anti-bribery policy, appointing a person to oversee anti-bribery compliance, training and carry out risk assessments. ·      ISO 44001: Collaborative Business Management – This was originally  a British Standard that had been created to provide a framework for creating and managing collaborative business relationships between organisations. The standard promotes the best way for businesses to work together, thus effectively developing and managing their interactions with each other for maximum benefit to all. If you'd like to book a demo for the isologyhub, simply contact us and we'd be happy to give you a tour. We'd love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here's how: ●     Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin ●     Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one. Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes: Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List
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Jul 10, 2024 • 21min

#182 ISO 20121:2024 updates – What you need to know ahead of your transition

ISO 20121:2012, the Standard for Sustainable events management, was originally created and launched in coordination with the London 2012 olympics. 12 years on, it seems only fitting that its next revision would applied to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 10 Years on from it's original release, the Standard has received a substantial update to not only bring it in-line with other ISO Standards, but to also address additional elements within event management, such as human rights and legacy. Today Steph Churchman will explain the changes to ISO 20121:2024, what certified companies must do to transition and the consequences of not doing so before the deadline. You'll learn ·      What is ISO 20121? ·      What are the changes to ISO 20121:2024? ·      What steps should certified companies take to complete their transition? ·      What should you be updating? ·      What are the consequences for not completing your transition ahead of the deadline?   Resources ·      Isologyhub     In this episode, we talk about: [00:30] Join the isologyhub – To get access to a suite of ISO related tools, training and templates. Simply head on over to isologyhub.com to either sign-up or book a demo. [02:05] Episode summary: Steph will be discussing the changes to the Sustainable Event Management Standard, ISO 20121:2024, in addition to outlining what you should be updating ahead of your transition to the latest version of the Standard. [02:30] What is ISO 20121? – . The Standard for Sustainable events management was originally created and launched in coordination with the London 2012 olympics. When it came to planning the 2012 Olympic Games, they took a step back and considered the impact of required development and construction would have on biodiversity, as well as how they could reduce their Greenhouse Gas emissions and general waste in the preparation and running of the event. 12 years on, it seems only fitting that it's next revision would applied to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. ISO 20121 specifies the requirements for an Event Sustainability Management System to improve the sustainability of events. The standard applies to all types and sizes of organisations involved in the events industry – from caterers, lighting and sound engineers, security companies, stage builders and venues to independent event organisers and corporate and public sector event teams. [04:45] A high-level overview of the changes to ISO 20121:2024 – One of the biggest and most welcomed changes is the fact that the Standard is now aligned with the familiar High Level Structure that many other ISO's follow. This means it will be easier to integrate with other Standards like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Next, there is a bigger focus on climate change, legacy and human rights. These elements weren't necessarily missing from the previous version, but they weren't a key focus either.  [05:10] Climate Change in ISO 20121:2024 – , ISO 20121:2024 now explicitly requires considering climate change and its impact on your event and stakeholders. So, this might involve carbon emission reduction strategies and adapting to potential climate-related disruptions. Biodiveristy may also fall under this, especially if your events require construction, or take place in an outside venue such as a park or field. A quick reminder that 31 common ISO Standards also received a Climate Change Amendment, so if you haven't addressed that yet, check out our podcast episode and workshop recording to learn about what you need to do. What does this focus on climate change mean for certified companies?: ·      It provides an opportunity for event professionals and event organisers to demonstrate leadership in taking action around climate change ·      Certified organisations are required to ensure that any carbon offsetting completed via carbon credits are credible ·      ISO 20121:2024 Standard facilitates the process of taking credible action and aligns ISO 20121 with big changes relating to climate change [06:55] Human Rights in ISO 20121:2024  – The new version also expands beyond environmental concerns to encompass human and child rights, social impact (including mental health and diversity), and digital responsibility. Your management system will need to address these aspects throughout the event lifecycle. What does the increased focus on human rights in ISO 20121 mean for certified organisations?: ·      Certified organisations will need to demonstrate and adhere to UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. ·      The revised standard also now references social impact in its definitions – primarily in the definition for Sustainable Development and Stewardship. ·      A new Annex has been added – Annex D: Guidance on Human and Child Rights. ·      Added guidance states that event organisers should consult with Human and Child Rights experts and conduct a Human Rights Assessment to identify potential risks to the people as a result of an event and its surrounding activities. ·      You should publish a Human Rights Policy to ensure that Human Rights consideration is embedded in the whole lifecycle of an event. [08:40] Legacy in ISO 20121:2024 – An added focus on Legacy provides an opportunity to event organisers to focus, not only on the few days of event delivery, but also supports in creating enduring results for the hosting community. For example, creating an economic impact for the local population, by providing the opportunity to acquire new skills, to share best practices on how to do events in a more sustainable way or by improving a public place close to the event. [09:20] Join the isologyhub and get access to limitless ISO resources  – From as little as £99 a month, you can have unlimited access to hundreds of online training courses and achieve certification for completion of courses along the way, which will take you from learner to practitioner to leader in no time. Simply head on over to the isologyhub to sign-up or book a demo. [11:30] A strengthening of Stakeholder Engagement – The Standard now emphasizes demonstrating sustainability throughout your supply chain. This might involve you requesting proof of sustainability practices from vendors and incorporating ethical sourcing practices. The definition of stakeholders has also now been expanded to include partners and sponsors. So, you'll need to consider how their sustainability practices align with your event's goals. The policy clause now requires reporting on your sustainability achievements and lessons learned. Building a system for tracking and reporting these aspects will be crucial, and will likely involve a lot more communication between your stakeholders to gather any necessary data for reporting purposes. [12:35] alignment and flexibility – The updated standard aligns with other management system standards thanks to the high level structure update, making integration easier for organizations with existing systems. The revised standard also caters to events of all sizes and complexities, allowing for adaptation to your specific needs. There's now alignment with Global Frameworks, like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) and the Paris Agreement. If you'd like to learn more about the SDG's, check out a few previous podcast episodes: 106, 107 & 108. [13:30] Transition Deadline – What happens if you miss it? –  Anyone certified to the 2012 version of the Standard will have until the 31st March 2027 to transition to the 2024 version. If you don't, you'll risk losing your certification, and you'll have to go through the whole Stage 1 and 2 Assessment again to get that certificate back, which is obviously quite costly. [14:15] What do you need to do to transition? – Here's a very high-level of the steps you should take: ·      Review and conduct a Gap Analysis: This is to compare your existing system against the new standard's requirements to identify areas needing improvement. ·      Update your Policies and Procedures: specifically your event sustainability policy to reflect the broader range of sustainability issues and incorporate reporting requirements. ·      Develop a plan to engage with a wider range of stakeholders, including sponsors and partners, on sustainability initiatives. ·      Review your Supply Chain Management: This will involve establishing or updating procedures for assessing and integrating sustainability practices throughout your vendor network. ·      Training and Awareness: Any and all changes should be communicated. Educate your team on the new standard's requirements and integrate them into event planning and execution processes. ·      Carry out Internal Audits: Once you've implemented the changes, audit against the new Standard and ensure you're compliant. Then you'll need to prepare for your Certification Body Transition visit. [15:30] What Specific actions can you take to update your ISO 20121 Management System? Here are some suggested actions to address Human Rights and Children's Rights: ·      Update your event sustainability policy to explicitly state your commitment to respecting human rights and children's rights throughout the event lifecycle. ·      Update your Risk Assessments as you're going to need to identify potential human rights risks associated with your event, such as discrimination in hiring or unfair labour practices within the supply chain. ·      Review your Supplier Management as you'll need to ensure your suppliers uphold human rights standards. ·      Engage with relevant stakeholders like human rights organizations or local communities to understand potential human rights concerns and incorporate their feedback into your planning.   A few other actions you could do include: ·      Partnering with organizations promoting fair labor practices and human rights. ·      Including human rights clauses in contracts with suppliers and partners. ·      Conduct training for staff on identifying and mitigating human rights risks. ·      Implementing a grievance process for reporting potential human rights violations. [17:00] What further actions can you take to address Legacy?: ·      Integrate legacy planning into the early stages of event development. Consider aspects like infrastructure, also workforce development (for example training opportunities for local communities), and universal accessibility for people with disabilities. ·      Develop metrics to measure the positive legacy of your event. This could involve tracking the number of jobs created, increased accessibility measures implemented, or infrastructure donated to the community. ·      Consider the potential to partner with local organizations to ensure the event's legacy benefits the community in the long term. This might involve collaborating on infrastructure projects or workforce development initiatives. ·      You should also Conduct a post-event impact assessment to evaluate the event's legacy. [18:00] Reporting on the social, economic and environmental impacts – The first step should be to develop a Reporting Framework: This framework should consider relevant metrics for social (e.g., job creation, diversity), economic (e.g., local business involvement), and environmental (e.g., carbon footprint, waste generation) impacts. Next, you need to Implement a system for collecting and analyzing data related to your event's social, economic, and environmental performance. And lastly, choose appropriate communication channels for your sustainability report, such as your website, annual reports, or dedicated sustainability reports. You could look at specific reporting software or get help from a third-party such as Blackmores.   We'd recommend purchasing a copy of the Standard so you can review the specific changes yourself, in addition to reviewing the updated guidance provided in the Annexes. If you'd like to book a demo for the isologyhub, simply contact us and we'd be happy to give you a tour. We'd love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here's how: ●     Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin ●     Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one. Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes: Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List
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Jul 3, 2024 • 25min

#181 The Integral Role of Leadership within ISO

Ian Battersby, an expert in ISO Standards, dives deep into the crucial role of leadership in effectively implementing management systems. He discusses how strong leadership motivates teams towards common goals and the direct impact of their engagement on organizational success. Battersby highlights the responsibilities of leaders, the necessity of aligning quality objectives with business strategies, and the importance of communication and continuous improvement. He also introduces valuable resources like the iSology Hub to support professionals in enhancing compliance.
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Jun 25, 2024 • 13min

#180 Carbon Reporting – To Verify or Not To Verify

Mel Blackmore, an expert in Greenhouse Gas emissions reporting, discusses the growing need for businesses to report on GHG emissions, the difference between certification and verification, and the benefits of ISO 14064-1. Topics include why GHG emissions reporting is crucial, the importance of verifying GHG statements, and how ISO standards can benefit businesses.
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Jun 19, 2024 • 25min

#179 The Interconnectedness of Clauses

ISO Standards provide a framework to help businesses manage various aspects of their activities. Whether that's quality, risk, environmental or Information Security management, they provide invaluable guidance to establish an effective Management System.  However, for those who are new to ISO Standards, the Standards themselves can seem rather intimidating to interpret. Back in 2015, the Annex SL format was introduced to provide a common high-level structure for Management Systems. With 10 clauses now common in most widely adopted ISO Standards, it can still be a bit difficult to understand exactly how these all work together. Today Ian Battersby will explain how ISO Standard clauses work in tandem to create a cohesive cycle, from context of the organisation through to Improvement.    You'll learn ·      What is the high-level structure? ·      What are ISO Standards structured this way? ·      How do ISO Standard clauses interconnect? ·      How does this apply to Quality Management?   Resources ·      Isologyhub     In this episode, we talk about: [00:30] Join the isologyhub – To get access to a suite of ISO related tools, training and templates. Simply head on over to isologyhub.com to either sign-up or book a demo. [02:05] Episode summary: Ian will be discussing the interconnectedness of clauses, which basically just means explaining the key links between the clauses and how that applies to your management system.     [02:40] High level structure – 10 years ago, Annex SL was introduced to create a common framework for ISO Standards. Today, Ian will focus on ISO 9001 as that really is the grandfather of all Management System Standards. ISO 9001 includes elements which are applied to most commonly adopted ISO Standards, and sets the scene in terms of how the clauses link together. [03:20] Why are ISO Standards structured this way? – On their surface, ISO Standards can seem very repetitive in the way that they're written, but there is a good reason for that. There are all based around the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. [04:10] What is the Plan Do Check Act cycle? – This is a simple process that all Management System Standards adhere to. So you start with a 'Plan' to establish objectives, the resources which you need to deliver results, you identify risks and opportunities. From that point you fulfil the 'Do' part through Implementation and using the Management System. From there you 'Check' so you monitor against the policies, objectives and any other requirements. Basically monitor against what you said you'd do and then you 'Act' if you find anything that needs to change, you make that change and you improve as an organisation and you improve that management system. [05:00] A logical path – Management System Standards are designed in such a way that they flow from one clause to the other. One cannot exist without the other. [05:20] How does Clause 4 Context of the Organisation link with Clause 6 Planning? – As clause 4 Context of the Organisation states:  'external and internal issues relevant to your purpose and strategic direction… …and that affect your ability to achieve intended results' The scope of your management system depends entirely on this. The world in which you operate - what you buy, the people you employ, what you make, who you sell to, the laws you follow… Clause 4 also requires us to identify all interested parties (which we'll address later!). With careful planning, you can align documentation you develop for one clause with other clauses. Clause 4 doesn't tell us how we should work out our context, but it provides some very good clues ·      NOTE 1 Issues can include positive and negative factors ·      NOTE 2 Understand the external context by considering issues arising from legal, technological, competitive, market, cultural, social and economic environments So they're not saying how to do it, but they've said what you can consider This sounds a lot like a traditional SWOT/PESTLE analysis… If we skip to Clause 6, Planning, the first thing we must do when we plan is to identify actions to address risks and opps A SWOT will mean you've covered these elements, consider the following = ·      Weakness = Risk ·      Threat = Risk ·      Opportunity = Opportunity We can similarly view the PESTLE in the same light. So you can see that with careful planning, as mentioned you can align documentation for one clause with other clauses. [10:00] How does Clause 6 link with Clause 7 & 8? – Skipping from Clause 6.1 If you've identified what might go wrong (aka - risk), you need to plan to ensure it doesn't happen again. That may involve a single improvement action, which is linked to clause 10 (funnily enough, Improvement) It may be that you need something bigger, involving many steps, over a period of time, say an objective (clause 6.2)? So, the planning of objectives links directly to the context of the organisation, the world in which you operate. It may be that you need an operational control to mitigate risk, a process or procedure that helps to manage the situation as a business as usual situation (clause 7 documented info and clause 8, operation) So the planning of processes and procedures links directly to the context of the organisation, the world in which you operate. In all these circumstances, it's the same for opportunities, except you're putting in place measures to take advantage of the opportunities. [13:05] Join the isologyhub and get access to limitless ISO resources  – From as little as £99 a month, you can have unlimited access to hundreds of online training courses and achieve certification for completion of courses along the way, which will take you from learner to practitioner to leader in no time. Simply head on over to the isologyhub to sign-up or book a demo. [15:10] Clause 7 Support and related links – Moving through the standard, clause 7.4 relates to Communications. You need to determine internal and external communications relevant to the QMS (for 9001). In clause 4, you would have looked at interested parties (i.e. stakeholders). You need to determine who affects the way in which you operate and what they need/expect from you. Parties to consider include: ·      Customers ·      Employees ·      Shareholders ·      Suppliers ·      Regulators ·      Neighbours ·      Media So, by Clause 7 you will have already identified who's interested and what interests them, so it's only a small step to add to this the communications plan.  ISO 9001 doesn't ask for one specifically, but it's a good way to fulfil the requirements of clause 7.3. Clause 7 also mentions Monitoring and measuring resources (7.1.5).  This is a very brief clause, but central to establishing the means for demonstrating performance. We need reliable results when monitoring or measuring is used to verify the conformity of products and services to requirements, i.e. do we do what we say we do? Clause 7.5 requires us to document how we do things.  Again it's very brief in its requirements (leaves it up to you to decide), but clause 8 is all about operation – which is the way you do things. It's much more specific about understanding what the customer wants, designing it correctly, controlling changes, making it, delivery and addressing issues.   This is what you measure: 7.1.5 requires you to ensure you can measure, 7.5 requires you to document how you do things, 8 requires you to do things according to the way you've said you will. [20:10] Clause 9 Performance Evaluation and related links – Moving onto Clause 9, Performance Evaluation, again risk appears.  We've already assessed risk right at the start, now we evaluate whether we've successfully controlled risk. We decide what to audit based on the level of risk attached to certain controls (policies, procedures, processes…). We've set objectives based on risks and opportunities and now we must measure performance. We've put in place operational controls to mitigate risk (clause 8) and now we measure whether those controls work. [21:30] Clause 10 Improvement and related links – This one is fairly self-evident. If something goes wrong, find out why and put it right and make sure it doesn't happen again. Look at your system and continually improve based on your evaluations in Clause 9. If you'd like to book a demo for the isologyhub, simply contact us and we'd be happy to give you a tour. We'd love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here's how: ●     Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin ●     Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one. Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes: Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List
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Jun 12, 2024 • 12min

#178 Introducing our new host – Ian Battersby

After 5 years of hosting the ISO Show, Mel Blackmore will be taking a step back as she focuses on her sustainability related endeavors. She's passing the baton onto our new host – Ian Battersby. Ian is a Senior isologist at Blackmores, and while relatively new to the team, he has a wealth of Standard and ISO related knowledge to share with you all. Today we Introduce Ian Battersby as the new host for the ISO Show and learn about his background in Standards and ISO.     You'll learn ·      Taking a step back ·      Introduction to Steph Churchman ·      Introduction to Ian Battersby ·      What Standards has Ian worked with? ·      What Sectors has Ian worked in?   Resources ·      Isologyhub     In this episode, we talk about: [00:30] Join the isologyhub – To get access to a suite of ISO related tools, training and templates. Simply head on over to isologyhub.com to either sign-up or book a demo. [02:05] Episode summary: After 5 years of the ISO Show, Mel Blackmore is handing the hosting baton over to Ian Battersby    [02:25] Interim host – Ian will be the main host going forward, but there will be additions from Blackmores' Communication Manager – Steph Churchman. You may recognise her from recent episode such as: ·      Top 10 Reasons to use ISO 42001 AI Management ·      Top ISO Standard Trends in the Data Centre Industry Steph will be sharing findings from our own research, standards updates and conducting interviews with our isologists. [03:35] An Introduction to Ian Battersby – Ian has been working for Blackmores since August 2023. Although he is meant to be part-time, he's had a very busy first few months here! Ian began working in British Aerospace, specifically manufacturing, in 1984. He later decided to return to university to study electrical and electronic engineering, which was promptly dropped. His return to BAE lasted a few years before he moved onto the civil service for the Department of Health, working with them to conduct safety investigations and helped to create a broader risk profile. When he moved to work with the NHS, firstly, with the litigation authority setting up governance and risk standards and then as a risk manager. Surprisingly, after moving up a few levels, he decided to move onto run a restaurant! A Curry House to be specific, but after a year of rather stressful work that ended up costing a lot more than expected, he returned to work within the construction industry which is where he became more involved with ISO Standards. From there he went onto work in manufacturing of high pressure pumps for a while before moving onto an organisation who rant he estate for the Department of Work and Pensions. In the end, Ian left them due to being unable to live the life he wanted to live. [05:15] What Standards has Ian worked with? – He started with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 (now ISO 45001). [06:00] Digital Nomad – Ian currently splits his time between Leeds in the UK and Malaga in Spain. Having a lot of experience working remotely in previous industries, this leap didn't impede on his work in any way. [07:15] What other Standards has Ian worked with? – He has assisted with ISO 44001 (Collaborative Business Management), but admittedly it was not his favorite ISO Standard to work with. It's one of the rare instances in ISO where the Standard doesn't quite align with others. [08:00] What Sectors has Ian worked in – Ian's extensive work history has afforded him the opportunity to work in a number of sectors, including: ·      Construction and Fit out ·      Manufacturing ·      Estate Management ·      Private enterprise ·      Healthcare / NHS ·      Facilities With this list growing at a rapid pace since his introduction at Blackmores! [09:45] What's a big challenge that Ian's had to overcome in the past? – In terms of ISO, it has to be Leadership. Ian's found that to always be an issue within businesses attempting to implement ISO Standards. A good looking Management System will only go so far without leadership commitment. While working in facilitating Standards for an organisation, you won't be implementing the whole system yourself. It's more a case of delivering through others, the organisation controls and delivers their own processes and improvements, and so it's imperative that Leadership are also embedding and encouraging these actions. Ian will be going more in-depth on this topic in a future episode. If you'd like to book a demo for the isologyhub, simply contact us and we'd be happy to give you a tour. We'd love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here's how: ●     Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin ●     Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one. Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes: Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List
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Jun 6, 2024 • 15min

#177 ISO Show Evolution

Can you believe we've been publishing the ISO Show for 5 years now! We certainly can't! The ISO Show began back in 2019, following a trip to Cumbria by the host Mel Blackmore. She was, and still is, an avid fan of podcasts and while listening to a few of her favourites on the 4 hour trip, she got to wondering if there were any podcasts about ISO Standards. As it happened, there wasn't at the time, and so the idea for the ISO Show was born. Not more than a few months later the first episode went live, and the rest is history. For the past 5 years, we've had the honour of sharing our team's combined 18 years of knowledge, including amazing insights from our clients and industry experts along the way. Today Mel Blackmore will reflect on the ISO Show so far and share it's next evolution as we introduce a new host.   You'll learn ·      Why was the ISO Show created? ·      Why is Mel taking a step back? ·      What will be the focus for the future? ·      An introduction to the new host(s)   Resources ·      Isologyhub     In this episode, we talk about: [00:30] Join the isologyhub – To get access to a suite of ISO related tools, training and templates. Simply head on over to isologyhub.com to either sign-up or book a demo. [02:05] Episode summary: After 5 years of the ISO Show, it's hitting a turning point as we introduce a new host.   [02:25] An amazing journey – It's been an amazing 5 years of digging deep into some of the most pressing issues we've faced, sharing tips and dispelling myths about ISO Standards. We've explored a lot of topics over the years, including: ·      Sharing our ISO 22301 (Business Continuity) knowledge when COVID hit, to help people with future and current response plans. ·      Transitioning to new versions of Standards, such as ISO 27001:2022 ·      Interviewing leaders within the ISO space, such as Kit Oung, who helped to develop the UK's current energy and climate change regulations. [04:05] Mel's sustainability journey – why she's taking a step back as host – Mel's made it no secret that her passion lies with Sustainability Standards. This podcast has helped to amplify their importance within our space, but she wants to take this a step further. Going forward, Mel will be dedicating herself full-time to researching the crucial role of carbon standards in achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. [05:00] An evolution for the ISO Show – All this to say, the ISO Show isn't going anywhere, rather we are introducing a new main host – Ian Battersby! [05:05] Who is Ian Battersby? – Ian is a senior Isologist here at Blackmores. Ian brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and a passion for helping businesses raise their game with ISO standards. He's a bit of a digital nomad, splitting his time between working from Span and England, he works part-time at Blackmores. So he is very much involved in the day-to-day understanding of challenges of ISO Management, This includes the frustrations that businesses face and also how ISO standards support the achievement of greater productivity and profitability. Ian will be introducing himself fully on the next episode 😊 [06:25] Thank you for making the ISO Show such a success! – We've now got a few thousand subscribers, with a global reach, we honestly never expected to have so many listeners when we started. So whether you're a regular or occasional listener, thank you for being here with us, we truly hope that our knowledge has helped you on your own journey to continual improvement within your own organisation. [07:25] A long journey – A lot has happened over the past 5 years. In addition to being the CEO of Blackmores, Mel has also developed the isologyhub – an on-line learning platform which helps to raise awareness and understanding of ISO Standards. She has also founded Carbonology – a sister company that specialises in carbon related Standards, which will be where focuses her main efforts over the next few years. [07:44] Stepping back – but not gone – While you will be hearing less from Mel, she won't be completely absent. She will be joining us at least once a month to explore how ISO Standards are shaping the landscape of Net Zero. She will be sharing her journey to achieve net zero based on academic research, including primary and secondary research on how the various carbon related standards support the Sustainable Development goals and achieving net zero. This will primarily be diving into Standards such as ISO 14064 (Carbon Verification) and ISO 14068 (Net Zero), in relation to how they support the Sustainable Development Goals, help to create a level playing field, providing transparency, reliability, accountability and without a doubt, credibility. [09:20] Why the focus on sustainability? – Mel will be studying a masters by researching the role of Carbon Standards Verification in contributing to achieving Net Zero. This focus hasn't appeared out of the blue. Mel founded Carbonology with the goal of tacking Net Zero, one business at a time. They've already had great success over the past few years' but there's still so much more to do when it comes to understanding Greenhouse Gas emission verification, carbon removals, reductions and offsetting. [10:10] Another big thank you – The ISO Show has been running for the past years with the assistance of Blackmores Communication Manager – Steph Churchman. Starting from humble beginnings of recording using a mic housed in a shoebox, to being stuffed in a cupboard to combat our offices' terrible acoustics. We've thankfully since upgraded our set-up to something much more comfortable. Along the way we've experienced our fair share of technical issues, as you can't really go 5 years of recording without something going wrong. However, there wasn't much we couldn't work around in some way or another. As Steph has helped in researching topics we've discussed over the years, she will also be joining Ian on hosting the ISO Show in future episodes.   [12:45] On to the next chapter – It's not goodbye from Mel, but rather see you later. We'll be bringing you all along on this next chapter of the ISO Show, so make sure you subscribe to stay up-to-date with our latest episodes.   If you'd like to book a demo for the isologyhub, simply contact us and we'd be happy to give you a tour. We'd love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here's how: ●     Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin ●     Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one. Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes: Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List
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May 22, 2024 • 21min

#176 Top ISO Standard Trends in Data Centres

Data Centres could be considered the powerhouse of thousands of businesses globally.  Long gone are the days of small physical servers being housed on-site, instead we rely on data centres to keep all our critical data safe and secure. But how do we know they are doing just that? Many hold certifications to security-based Standards such as SOC 2 or NIST to display their commitment to data security. However, many also hold various ISO certifications that cover other aspects of the business outside of information security. Today Steph Churchman, Communications Manager at Blackmores, will be sharing the top ISO Standard trends within the UK Data Centre industry. You'll learn ·      Why did we look into the Data Centre industry specifically? ·      What are the top 5 ISO Standard Trends in Data Centres? ·      Why are these ISO Standards essential for Data Centres? ·      Other commonly adopted ISO Standards within the data centre space   Resources ·      Isologyhub ·      ISO 27001:2022 Transition Gameplan   In this episode, we talk about: [00:30] Join the isologyhub – To get access to a suite of ISO related tools, training and templates. Simply head on over to isologyhub.com to either sign-up or book a demo. [02:25] Episode summary: We'll be taking a look at the top ISO Standard Trends within the UK Data Centre Industry [02:30] Why did we look into the Data Centre industry specifically? – In the mid 2010's, we noticed an influx in enquiries from Data Centres in regard to Implementation of ISO Standards. That prompted a research project that led to Blackmores working with some of the top UK Data Centres. Now in 2023 and 2024 we're starting to see a similar push for ISO Standards within the same industry. So, we revived the project to get a grasp on the modern ISO landscape, and took a look at the top 100 Data Centres within the UK. [03:34] #1: ISO 27001 Information Security – Out of the 100 data centres sampled 72% of them were certified to ISO 27001. Security is of upmost importance to data centres, and the great thing about ISO 27001 is that it considers security for not only the digital environment, but also for people and physical security. This Standard is also, in most cases, a stakeholder requirement. Certification to ISO 27001 indicates that you're adhering to best practice in information security, and through the creation of an ISO 27001 compliant Management system, you will have documentation in place such as an information security policy and data retention policy, that often get requested by potential clients. If you'd like to learn more about the Implementation process for ISO 27001, we've got a helpful 3-part podcast series that summarises the entire process from Gap Analysis to Assessment preparation. anyone currently certified to ISO 27001:2013 that you have just over 1 more year to complete your transition to ISO 27001:2022. If you don't do so by October 31st 2025, you'll risk losing your ISO 27001 certification. That's not the only reason you should be transitioning though. The new version of the Standard includes 11 new controls, which cover some newer technologies which really weren't around when the 2013 version was published. So regardless of the risk of losing your certification, it's in your best interest to ensure that you're adhering to the latest version. If this is all news to you, then you can also go back and check out episodes 128 through to 133. This was a little mini-series we did to summarise the key changes to ISO 27001 and what actions you need to take to transition. We also have a Transition Gameplan available on the isologyhub if you'd like a more guided approach, including document templates and training videos covering those new controls. [06:25] #2: ISO 9001 Quality Management – The Quality Management Standard is as popular as ever, even within the data centre space, with 51% of the 100 sampled data centres being certified. ISO 9001 is considered the leading 'Quality mark' for businesses and is often the starting point for many diving into the world of ISO implementation. ISO 9001 creates a well-rounded base Management system to help you manage your risks and opportunities, as well as ensuring you drive a culture of continual Improvement. Its guidance can help you establish your core policies, processes and procedures to ensure everyone is singing from the same song sheet. The fact that this one is popular among data centres isn't too much of a surprise, it's a universally adopted Standard that isn't limited by industry or organisational size. Currently, there are over 1 million ISO 9001 certificates issued worldwide, and that trend shows no signs of slowing down. [08:25] #3 ISO 14001 Environmental Management  – A surprising 25% of the sampled data centres were certified to ISO 14001. From an objective point of view, it makes sense for data centres to consider their environmental footprint. But a lot of that would fall under energy usage rather than just general environmental management, so this likely means it's mainly driven by stakeholder requirements. ISO 14001 is being requested more and more for the likes of large Government contracts, so If you want a chance at bidding for these, ISO 14001 is a must. Now don't get me wrong, I'm sure a lot of data centres have implemented this Standard in an earnest effort to monitor and measure their impact holistically. After all ISO 14001 asks businesses to consider how they can prevent environmental impacts such as pollution and degradation of nature. And the additional guidance provides some helpful starting points for those that may not be sure where to start, for example making commitments to recycling, protection of biodiversity and climate change mitigation. For data centres specifically, this may come into effect when we think of the amount of electronic waste that they could potentially produce. Obviously, this can't just be thrown out in a standard green lidded bin, it'll need to be taken to a dedicated electronic waste facility for processing, disposal and recycling. Racking, shelving and cables will all also need to be replaced at some point, and it's up to each data centre to ensure they have the appropriate processes and policies to ensure this is done correctly and more importantly legally, which again, is where ISO 14001 can help put those frameworks in place. [10:30] Join the isologyhub and get access to limitless ISO resources  – From as little as £99 a month, you can have unlimited access to hundreds of online training courses and achieve certification for completion of courses along the way, which will take you from learner to practitioner to leader in no time. Simply head on over to the isologyhub to sign-up or book a demo. [12:45] #4: ISO 50001 Energy Management – With just 13% of the 100 sampled data centres certified! This one is a shocker because, typically, data centres highest cost is in relation to their energy usage. They require enormous amounts of energy to keep their facilities running and to cool down their equipment 24/7. Which I imagine they'd be quite keen to reduce if only to save on running costs. This is where ISO 50001 can come in, to help create a structured approach to effectively monitor that energy usage, so you can identify key trends and opportunities to reduce overall energy consumption, which in turn will save a lot of money. With a healthier proportion being certified to ISO 14001, it seems a shame that so many are missing out on the additional benefits that ISO 50001 can bring, especially when it can very easily be integrated with ISO 14001. In fact, if you're already certified to ISO 14001, then you've already done half the work to implement ISO 50001. Both frameworks are based on that Annex SL format, and both have a lot in common in terms of what documentation is required. It can also help with compliance with some UK and EU based energy initiatives. For example, here in the UK we have ESOS (The Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme) which applies to large organisations that fit within its criteria. They're usually required to provide a report once every 4 years, however as of 2023, Phase 3 now requires organisations to provide an Energy Action Plan which details what actions they plan to take to reduce their energy consumption. There are likely a few data centres that would fall into ESOS's criteria, and if you're sick of going through the ESOS song and dance every few years, then ISO 50001 may be the answer for you, as being certified means that you're going above and beyond ESOS's requirements and will be considered compliant. Meaning no more pesky reporting, or having to locate an ESOS assessor to sign off on those reports. [15:10] #5 ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management – With 12% of the 100 sampled data centres being certified. ISO 22301 is the Standard for Business Continuity, and provides a basis for planning to ensure your long-term survivability following a disruptive event. That 12% may not be truly reflective of all the data centres that have business continuity plans in place however, as according to a recent Business Continuity institute survey, 56% of surveyed businesses use ISO 22301 as a framework but aren't certified to it. There will be a fair few data centres in our sample list that fall under that category. Why should this Standard be a priority for Data Centres? Well, the answer should be simple, if a disaster were to knock out a data centre, that has a massive knock-on effect. Many house servers used by hundreds if not thousands of businesses and users. If they're unable to provide services, that will in-turn cause multiple other businesses to grind to a halt. The true cause of failures at data centres can be many things such as hardware failure, human error or a disaster such as flooding or fires. However, the advantage of utilising ISO 22301 is the ability to be able to effectively deal with these incidents and restore services, which is essential for an industry which is quite literally the powerhouse for millions of other business and people. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail Having a robust business continuity plan should be a top priority for any business, especially data centres, seeing as so many rely on them to keep their own services running. Even if you don't want to go through the full certification process, it's worth grabbing a copy of the Standard, as it provides a lot of helpful guidance. If you'd like to learn more about ISO 22301 in general, go back and check out episode 42 where we go over the Standard in more detail and it's many benefits. [17:45] Runner up: ISO 20000 Service Management – Saw 11% of our sample data centres certified to this Standard. This actually used to be known specifically as the IT Service Management Standard, so that probably clues you into why this would be adopted by many with in tech spaces. However, it truly is applicable to any business offering services. The aim of ISO 20000 is to provide a framework for an effective end-to-end service management system which encompasses the entire lifecycle of a service from concept and design, through to service removal and end-of-life. [18:55] Runner up: ISO 27017 information security controls for cloud services – With just 5% of our sampled Data Centres certified. This one is fairly self explanatory in it's relation to data centres, which operate solely on cloud based services. This Standard was introduced after the 2013 version of ISO 27001 was published, as the main standard didn't really address cloud security controls specifically. Mostly because cloud computing and its related security weren't as widely adopted as they are now. So ISO 27017 was created to try and bridge those gaps. In the latest 2022 version of ISO 27001, there's now a new control for cloud security. So, we may see less interest in ISO 27017 certification going forward. If you'd like to book a demo for the isologyhub, simply contact us and we'd be happy to give you a tour. We'd love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here's how: ●     Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin ●     Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one. Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes: Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List
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May 15, 2024 • 30min

#175 How Daisy embedded effective energy management with ISO 50001

Working towards a sustainable future is going to require a joint effort from everyone if we're to reach our 2030 and 2050 targets.  Several initiatives have come out in recent years to try and address one of our biggest challenges, energy consumption. Many of us in the UK will be familiar with ESOS (The Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme), which involves regular reporting from those that fit its criteria. It's also recently updated to include a stipulation to include an ESOS Energy Plan, which requires you to detail a route to reduce your energy consumption. However, many businesses would prefer a more consistent approach to energy management, such as today's guest – Daisy Corporate Services. Today Mel is joined by Damian Edwards, ISO Standards Manager at Daisy Corporate Services, to discuss why they Implemented ISO 50001, what they've learned from the experience and the benefits gained from implementing an Energy Management System You'll learn ·      Who is Damian and who are Daisy Corporate Services? ·      Why did they decide to Implement ISO 50001? ·      What was the biggest gap identified during their Gap Analysis? ·      What lessons did they learn from Implementing ISO 50001? ·      What benefits did they gain from ISO 50001 certification?   Resources ·      Isologyhub ·     Daisy Corporate Services ·     Daisy Corporate Services ESG   In this episode, we talk about: [00:30] Join the isologyhub – To get access to a suite of ISO related tools, training and templates. Simply head on over to isologyhub.com to either sign-up or book a demo. [02:30] Episode summary: Mel is joined by guest Damian Edwards, ISO Standards Manager at Daisy Corporate Services, to discuss their journey towards ISO 50001 certification. Daisy are not strangers to ISO Standards, already having achieved: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, ISO 45001, ISO 20000 and ISO 22301! They have also recently won the Sustainability and Tech Awards 2024 and the Green Shoots Awards too. [04:15] Who is Damian Edwards? – Damian has worked at Daisy as their ISO Standards Manager for the past year. A little known fact about Damian: He listens to classical music as a way to focus. [05:25] Who are Daisy Corporate Services? – The are primarily a provider of IT and Communications. They currently supply a range of services including: ·      Unified Communications ·      Connectivity ·      Modern Workplace ·      Cyber Security ·      Cloud services ·      Managed Services ·      Operational Resilience [06:25] What were the main drivers behind obtaining ISO 50001 Certification? – In addition to the office spaces Daisy controls, they also have a number of data centres, which use massive amounts of energy. Finding ways to monitor, measure and potentially reduce that energy use, and subsequently cost, was essential.  The second main driver is mainly for commercial reasons. Without Standards like ISO 50001, you can't bid for larger contracts or Government frameworks. [08:30] Daisy's commitment to ESG  – Daisy have a made a solid commitment to ESG, explained further on their website as they break it down into 10 key focus areas. Energy Management is one of the logical steps to tackle reducing carbon emissions. Data centres can be very inefficient, so being able to consistently monitor, measure and improve their energy consumption is a key part of tackling some of their ESG related goals. Also being certified means you have the certificate to back up your claims. It's not you just making a statement, it has to be verified by a third-party. [10:30] How long did it take to Implement ISO 50001? – It took between 8 – 11 months. For a Standard like ISO 50001, it's important to do it properly. Some organisations may request it in 6 months, but for larger organisations, that would be a tough ask, and you run the risk of rushing into certification without having those processes embedded in. [11:45] Did having existing ISO Standards make the process smoother? – Yes, as it was a case of integrating ISO 50001 with our existing systems rather than starting from scratch. Though, having so many ISO's can water the message down a bit, to combat that we've got a single statement that gets across everything you need to know about Daisy. [12:55] What was the biggest gap identified during the Gap Analysis? – Because we already have so many ISO's, we can be a bit big headed and say there weren't many gaps at all, however, there were still some things we could do. One of the biggest areas for improvement was Clause 7, Documentation, as all ISO Standards have their own required documentation. Another was putting in place a plan for monitoring and measuring our energy usage. We have a Property Director who did do that, but he wasn't really documenting it, so we've put in place some proper processes to help show that we're actively monitoring it, looking at the trends and putting in actions to reduce and improve on that.   [14:55] Join the isologyhub and get access to limitless ISO resources  – From as little as £99 a month, you can have unlimited access to hundreds of online training courses and achieve certification for completion of courses along the way, which will take you from learner to practitioner to leader in no time. Simply head on over to the isologyhub to sign-up or book a demo. [17:10] Did closing those gaps make a big difference? – We did have a lot of help from Blackmores in order to address those gaps. Out consultant advised us to combine elements of out Management Review with out monthly Team Meetings, as our Director is involved with those, and we avoid another meeting for meeting's sake. We now also produce a pack of all the monitoring and measuring that's done throughout the month, which makes it easy for us to analyse and identify trends in energy use. Any actions from reviewing this are then recorded and followed up on. So, in essence it's just made everything a lot smoother. [19:55] What did Daisy learn from Implementing ISO 50001? – It takes a team to achieve this – you can't do it on your own. You also can't rush it! Another key take away is that the whole project needs to be driven by top management, without all of those elements combined, it's probably not going to work (or be a lot slower and more painful!) It's also really helped with our commitment and messaging around ESG too. So within those monthly Management Review meetings we have a representative from the energy efficiency team, the ESG team and our bids team. They're then all communicating what the customer message is, that they expect of us, in turn they're kept in the loop about our energy usage and related actions and can communicate that outwards. [21:15] What other benefits are there from achieving ISO 50001? – Having our management system verified by a third-party means that we can confidently say we're adhering to best practice. It also just validates that we are doing things correctly! It also means that we can monitor opportunities for improvement. If we identify more gaps in future, we have the processes in place to address them. ISO 50001 has also helped to put some context behind the energy data we're collecting. Thanks to the new processes we can accurately identify key trends and explain why energy usage may be going up and down. [23:25] Damian's top tip – Ensure that your project is driven by top management. They're involvement means it's a lot easier to communicate that message that you're doing the right thing. Also, ISO 50001 helps with your regulatory compliance too. If you're a larger organisation, then you likely have to adhere to schemes like SECR or ESOS. If you're certified to ISO 50001, then you're already complying with both. [24:35] Damian's book recommendation – Beryl in search of Britain's greatest athlete. [26:45] Damian's favorite quotes – "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard" and "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." If you'd like to learn more about Daisy Corporate Services, visit their website. If you'd like to book a demo for the isologyhub, simply contact us and we'd be happy to give you a tour. We'd love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here's how: ●     Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin ●     Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one. Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes: Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List
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May 9, 2024 • 20min

#174 What is the new ISO Climate Change Amendment?

In February 2024, the ISO and IAF issued an unprecedented change to 31 commonly adopted ISO Standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 27001.  This change saw the addition of a new 'Climate Change Amendment', which was applied in part due to the ISO's resolution in support of the ISO London Declaration on Climate Change. So what does this mean for ISO certified businesses?  Join Mel as she discusses what this new ISO Climate Change Amendment is, why it was introduced, what are the consequences if you don't address it and the benefits of its introduction. You'll learn ·      What is the ISO Climate Change Amendment? ·      Why was it introduced? ·      What are the consequences if you do not address the change? ·      What are the benefits of the Climate Change Amendment?   Resources ·      Isologyhub ·      ISO Climate Change Amendment Workshop   In this episode, we talk about: [00:30] Join the isologyhub – To get access to a suite of ISO related tools, training and templates. Simply head on over to isologyhub.com to either sign-up or book a demo. [02:30] Episode summary: We break down the new ISO Climate Change Amendment, including why it was introduced and why you should address it ahead of your next Certification Body visit. [02:55] Join our Workshop– If you're not sure where to start with addressing this amendment, join our interactive workshop taking place on the 20th May (14:00 – 16:00 GMT). There we will explain how you can integrate the new changes into your existing ISO Management System. Register your place here.   [04:30] What is the new ISO Climate Change Amendment? – A key clarification before we go into more detail, this is not a new version of a Standard i.e. ISO 27001:2022, where you must transition to a new version. So, what is it? In February 2024, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced a groundbreaking amendment to integrate climate change considerations into various management system standards. The amendment doesn't assign specific actions. Instead, it adds text to existing clauses in 31 standards (including ISO 9001, 14001, 27001) requiring organizations to consider: ·      Relevance of climate change: Organizations must assess if climate change is a relevant issue for their operations and context (Clause 4.1). ·      Stakeholder expectations: Note added: Relevant Interested Parties can have requirements related to climate change (Clause 4.2). As we've learned from our sister company, Carbonology, it is often Stakeholders driving forward that need to verify a business's carbon footprint and take steps towards Net Zero. [09:30] Why was this change Introduced? – This change was in part due to ISO's resolution in support of the ISO London Declaration on Climate Change. The aim is making climate change considerations an integral part of management systems, their guiding policies and practises – not simply as an afterthought. As we all know, climate change will affect everyone, and should be a concern that every business fully considers to ensure they are resilient and adaptable enough to deal with climate related risks. This amendment means businesss will need to address these risks where relevant, and integrate them into strategic objectives and look what can be done from a risk mitigation perspective. The global business community will be one of the driving forces for paving a way to a more sustainable future – It all starts with changing the way we work, making the shift towards embedding environmental consciousness into the very heart of your business. ISO Standards are widely adopted, and this change offers a catalyst for meaningful climate action on a global scale. [11:00] Join the isologyhub and get access to limitless ISO resources  – From as little as £99 a month, you can have unlimited access to hundreds of online training courses and achieve certification for completion of courses along the way, which will take you from learner to practitioner to leader in no time. Simply head on over to the isologyhub to sign-up or book a demo. [13:20] What are the consequences for not addressing this change? - Certification bodies will be asking you about these amendments effective immediately. If you've not addressed them ahead of your next certification body visit, you could run the risk of getting a non-conformity. The amendment added to Clause 4.1 especially states 'Must' – so there's no getting away with simply ignoring it. [14:50] What are the benefits of this change? – Some of the benefits will likely already be felt by those with existing environmental standards such as ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 in place. So, let's take a look at how you can benefit from addressing this amendment:  ·      Reduced Environmental Footprint: By integrating climate change considerations, businesses can identify and implement practices that lower their carbon emissions and resource consumption. ·      Enhanced Sustainability: Addressing climate change demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, which is increasingly important for attracting environmentally conscious customers and investors. ·      Cost Savings: Climate-conscious practices can lead to cost savings through improved resource efficiency, reduced waste, and potentially lower energy bills. ·      Resilience and Risk Management: By considering climate-related risks (e.g., extreme weather events, resource scarcity), businesses can proactively develop strategies to mitigate these risks and ensure operational continuity. ·      Innovation: Focusing on climate change can lead to innovation in areas like cleaner technologies or sustainable product development, giving businesses a competitive edge. ·      Positive Brand Image: Demonstrating proactive action on climate change can enhance a company's brand image and reputation among environmentally conscious stakeholders. This is a particularly important issue to younger generations who are becoming the dominant buying power from a commercial perspective. ·      Stronger Stakeholder Relationships: By considering stakeholder expectations around climate change, businesses can build stronger relationships with customers, investors, and regulators. ·      Holistic Approach to sustainability: Integrating climate change considerations strengthens a businesses' overall management system by fostering a more comprehensive and future-proof approach. ·      Continual Improvement: The amendment emphasizes continual improvement, encouraging businesses to constantly seek ways to reduce their environmental impact, leading to long-term sustainability benefits. If you'd like to learn about what actions you can take to integrate the ISO Climate Change Amendment into your ISO Management System, join our live event on the 20th May – register here. If you'd like to book a demo for the isologyhub, simply contact us and we'd be happy to give you a tour. We'd love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here's how: ●     Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin ●     Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one. Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes: Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List

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