ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 and 22000: what the standards mean
ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 and 22000 are international management standards. They set out requirements for quality management, environmental management, occupational health and safety, and food safety management respectively. Certification demonstrates that an organisation manages its processes systematically – not merely as a promise, but as a verifiable system.
ISO 9001: quality is a system, not an intention
ISO 9001 sets out the requirements for a quality management system. The standard revolves around a simple principle: plan what you do, do what you plan, check the results and make adjustments where necessary. This cycle – Plan-Do-Check-Act – forms the basis of every certified process.
For you as a customer, this means that every production process is documented. Deviations are recorded and dealt with. Improvements are implemented systematically. ISO 9001 certification is internationally recognised and required by many major customers as a minimum requirement for supplier selection.
ISO 14001: environmental management with measurable objectives
ISO 14001 sets out requirements for the environmental management system. The standard requires an organisation to identify its environmental aspects, assess risks and formulate specific objectives for improvement. Not just once, but on an ongoing basis.
The standard does not prescribe a specific performance level. What it does require is a demonstrable system, measurable targets and annual evidence of improvement.
For customers who submit sustainability reports or apply ESG criteria, ISO 14001 certification of their supplier provides concrete input for the Scope 3 analysis of their own supply chain. This is no mere afterthought; it is the very reason the standard exists.
ISO 22000: food safety throughout the supply chain
ISO 22000 is the standard for food safety management and applies to all organisations in the food supply chain, including suppliers of packaging and transport equipment. The standard integrates the principles of HACCP with the system requirements of a management standard.
ISO 22000 is relevant to crates used in the food sector. Meat, vegetables, dairy, fish: all these applications place demands on hygienic design, material traceability and the control of hazards that may come into contact with food via packaging.
If you purchase crates for food applications, you can use our ISO 22000 certification to demonstrate that your packaging supplier systematically manages food safety. This is not only useful during audits; it is increasingly becoming a strict requirement of retailers and customers.
ISO 45001: safety in the workplace
ISO 45001 focuses on health and safety at work. The standard requires organisations to identify hazards, assess risks and implement measures to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses. ISO 45001 certification demonstrates that the organisation manufacturing for you also takes responsibility for its own staff.
Visit our quality and certification page for more information.
