Integrated programme
ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 together: one QHSE system: video
A film on implementing quality, environment and health and safety as one integrated QHSE management system, from the integration map to a single audit calendar.
Key takeaways
- The three standards share the harmonised structure, so one system can serve all three.
- Build the shared core once, then add environmental and safety controls where they belong.
- One induction, one inspection routine and one corrective action process reduce duplication.
- One integrated audit can cover all three, with each finding traced to its standard.
- Existing separate certificates can be merged into the integrated system.
Why the three most requested standards fit together
ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 are the three most requested management system standards, and the ones tenders most often ask for together. All three share the harmonised structure of the ISO management system standards, so quality, environment and health and safety can run as one system: one policy framework, one way of handling risks and opportunities, one internal audit and one management review, audited together by an accredited certification body.
This short film walks through how that integrated QHSE system is built, whether an organisation is starting from nothing or merging the separate quality, environment and safety systems and certificates it already holds.
Organisations that already hold one or two of the certificates can make that system the common core and add the others to it.
Building the shared core once
The work starts with a scope and integration map: each standard and edition, the activities and sites, and any certificates already held, with their certification bodies and audit dates. Every requirement is then reviewed once and sorted into what is common to all three standards and what is specific to one. The shared core, policy, objectives, document control, competence, internal audit and management review, is built once, and the environmental controls of ISO 14001 and the safety controls of ISO 45001 are added where they belong.
On site, the benefit is less duplication: one induction, one inspection routine and one corrective action process for quality, environmental and safety issues. For audits, the certification body can plan one integrated audit across the three standards, with each finding traced to its standard. Whether one certificate names all three or each standard has its own depends on the certification body; what matters is that each is accredited for its standard and your scope.
Integration work sits under Revise™ in Sterling OS™ and can be delivered at the Design™ or the Drive™ level of support. A single engagement team runs the whole programme in one Effivity workspace, under an all-inclusive proposal agreed at the start; the accredited certification body audits and decides.
ISO 9001 at a glance
- Purpose
- Quality management: consistent delivery of products and services, and improvement on evidence
- Relevant to
- Organisations of any size or sector, single site or multi-country
- Edition
- ISO 9001:2026; certificates to the 2015 edition transition on the timetable your certification body confirms
- Certification
- Assessed and decided by an independent, accredited certification body
- Sterling's role
- Consulting with your team, Effivity, training, internal audit and certification readiness, then Sustain™
- Cost and timing
- Total investment for an ISO 9001 QMS depends on the current maturity of your processes, the scope, locations and number of employees. The process typically takes 3 to 6 months
ISO 9001: questions people ask
Can a small business implement ISO 9001?
Yes. The system should be proportionate to your activities, risks and complexity. A small team usually needs clear responsibilities and practical controls, not an unnecessarily large set of procedures.
Does ISO 9001 require us to replace our existing processes?
No. Start by understanding what already works and what evidence exists. Improve or add controls where the gap analysis shows a shortfall, rather than rebuilding everything.
Is ISO 9001 certification mandatory?
No law requires it in general, although customers, tenders and some regulated supply chains make it a condition of doing business. Many organisations implement ISO 9001 with no external demand at all, because they want consistent delivery and a disciplined way to improve.
Does Sterling issue the ISO 9001 certificate?
No. Sterling provides consulting and hands-on support. An independent, accredited certification body conducts the certification audit and makes the certification decision. A provider that offers to do both is offering paper.
Can we combine ISO 9001 with other standards?
Yes, where appropriate. Shared document control, internal audit and management review can support an integrated system with ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO/IEC 27001 or ISO 22000, on the harmonised structure. The specific requirements of each standard still need to be addressed.
Keep exploring
Related to this video
The complete guide
Everything on ISO 9001
Start with the ISO 9001 page · ISO 14001 · ISO 45001, or go straight to the guide you need.
On the ISO 9001 page
Guides
- ISO 9001:2026
- ISO 9001 audit questions
- ISO 9001 benefits
- The ISO 9001 certification process, step by step
- ISO 9001 checklist
- Choosing an ISO 9001 certification body
- ISO 9001 common mistakes
- ISO 9001 certification cost
- Do you need ISO 9001? A decision guide for owners, boards and the people who sign tenders
- ISO 9001 documentation
- Effivity for ISO 9001
- ISO 9001 gap analysis
- How to Choose an ISO Consultant in 2026
- ISO 9001 implementation plan
- Integrated management system audit
- Integrating ISO 9001 with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001
- ISO 9001 internal audit
- ISO 9001:2026 and ISO 14001:2026
- ISO Certification Scams to Avoid in 2026
- ISO 9001 management review
- ISO 9001 nonconformities
- ISO 9001 requirements explained
- ISO 9001 scope
- ISO 9001 for small businesses
- ISO 9001 Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits
- ISO 9001 surveillance and recertification
- The 2026 ISO Certification Plan
- ISO 9001 timeline
- ISO 9001 training
- How to verify an ISO 9001 certificate, and how to spot a fake or a misleading one
- ISO 9001 vs ISO 13485, IATF 16949 and AS9100
By country
By industry
Often combined with ISO 9001
More videos: Integrated programmes
- ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 together: quality and safety in one systemIntegrated programme · 3 min 14 s
- ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 27001 together: quality and information security in one systemIntegrated programme · 3 min 14 s
- ISO 9001 and HACCP together: quality management with a food safety plan built inIntegrated programme · 3 min 14 s
- HACCP and GMP together: the prerequisites and the plan, built as oneIntegrated programme · 3 min 14 s
- ISO/IEC 27001 and PCI DSS together: one control set, two outcomesIntegrated programme · 3 min 24 s
- ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 together: one control set for every marketIntegrated programme · 3 min 24 s
- ISO/IEC 27001, PCI DSS and SOC 2 together: one control set, three outcomesIntegrated programme · 3 min 24 s
- ISO/IEC 27001 and HIPAA together: a certified security system around the US health data lawIntegrated programme · 3 min 14 s
- ISO/IEC 27001, PCI DSS and HIPAA together: card data and health data under one control setIntegrated programme · 3 min 14 s
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