What’s the difference between A 'Type A' and 'Type B' MSS?
A Type A MSS contains requirements against which an organization can claim conformance, whereas a Type B MSS does not.
As a consequence, one should only find recommendations (guidelines) or supporting information in a Type B MSS. Some MSSs can contain a mix of requirements and guidelines: as they contain requirements, they will be considered Type A MSSs. Usually, a Type B MSS (e.g. ISO 50004) provides guidance on the application of a Type A MSS (e.g. ISO 50001). However, some Type B MSSs are independent (e.g. ISO 37301).
To claim conformance with a standard, an organization needs evidence that it is meeting the requirements. Such evidence gathering is generally done by undertaking an audit. There are three types of audits: first-party, second-party, and third-party. First-party audits are internal audits. Second and third party audits are external audits. A third party audit can result in certification. Regarding certification: certification can only take place against a document that contains requirements. Therefore, Type B MSS cannot be certified against.
Harmonized Structure - HS
Standards listed here as HS have the same structure and contain many of the same terms and definitions. This is particularly useful for those organizations that choose to operate a single (sometimes called “integrated”) management system that can meet the requirements of two or more management system standards simultaneously.
ISO has a Joint Technical Coordination Group on MSS, that are experts from the committees that have MSS. There is a dedicated website to update users and committees of work within JTCG.
Popular management system standards
We have a number of MSS, each focusing on different issues affecting global business. Find more information about some of the best-known ones.
Standard and/or project | Type | HS |
---|---|---|
Quality management systems — Guidance for the application of ISO 19443:2018 |
B | HS |
Healthcare organization management — Management systems for quality in healthcare organizations — Requirements |
A | HS |
Guidelines for managing knowledge to support radioactive waste management — Part 1: Purpose and Overview of ISO 8345 and Introduction to Knowledge Management |
B | |
Guidelines for managing knowledge to support radioactive waste management — Part 2: Vision and strategy |
B | |
Quality management systems — Requirements |
A | HS |
Quality management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Quality management systems — Guidelines for the application of ISO 9001:2015 |
B | HS |
Quality management — Quality of an organization — Guidance to achieve sustained success |
B | |
Quality management — Customer satisfaction — Guidelines for monitoring and measuring |
B | |
Quality management — Guidelines for quality management in projects |
B | |
Measurement management systems — Requirements for measurement processes and measuring equipment |
A | |
Quality management – Requirements for measurement management systems |
A | HS |
Consumer product safety — Guidelines for suppliers |
B | |
Consumer product recall — Guidelines for suppliers |
B | |
Medical devices — Quality management systems — Requirements for regulatory purposes |
A | |
Environmental management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Environmental management systems — Requirements with guidance for use — Amendment 2 |
A | HS |
Environmental management systems — Guidelines for using ISO 14001 to address environmental aspects and conditions within an environmental topic area — Part 1: General |
B | |
Environmental management systems — Guidelines for using ISO 14001 to address environmental aspects and conditions within an environmental topic area — Part 2: Water |
B | |
Environmental management systems — General guidelines on implementation |
B | HS |
Environmental management systems — Guidelines for a flexible approach to phased implementation |
B | |
Environmental management systems — Guidelines for incorporating ecodesign |
B | |
Environmental management systems — Guidelines for incorporating material circulation in design and development |
B | HS |
Graphic technology — Management of security printing processes |
A | HS |
Primary packaging materials for medicinal products — Particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2015, with reference to good manufacturing practice (GMP) |
A | HS |
Indoor air — Part 40: Indoor air quality management system |
A | HS |
Transport packages for dangerous goods — Dangerous goods packagings, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and large packagings — Guidelines for the application of ISO 9001 |
B | |
Quality management systems — Guidelines for the application of ISO 9001 in local government |
B | HS |
Management system for private security operations — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Geographic information — Quality assurance of data supply |
B | |
Geographic information — Quality assurance of data supply |
B | |
Quality management systems — Specific requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2015 by organizations in the supply chain of the nuclear energy sector supplying products and services important to nuclear safety (ITNS) |
A | HS |
Quality management systems — Specific requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2015 by organizations in the supply chain of the nuclear energy sector supplying products and services important to nuclear safety (ITNS) |
A | |
Information technology — IT asset management — Part 1: IT asset management systems — Requirements |
A | HS |
Information technology — Service management — Part 1: Service management system requirements |
A | HS |
Information technology — Service management — Part 2: Guidance on the application of service management systems |
B | HS |
Information technology — Service management — Part 2: Guidance on the application of service management systems — Amendment 1 |
B | |
Information technology — Service management — Part 5: Implementation guidance for ISO/IEC 20000-1 |
B | |
Information technology — Service management — Part 16: Guidance on sustainability within a service management system based on ISO/IEC 20000-1 |
B | |
Food loss and waste management system — Requirements for the minimization of food loss and waste across the food value chain |
A | HS |
Event sustainability management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Educational organizations — Management systems for educational organizations — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Educational organizations — Management systems for educational organizations — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Adventure tourism — Safety management systems — Requirements |
A | HS |
Tourism and related services — Sustainability management system for accommodation establishments — Requirements |
A | HS |
Food safety management systems — Requirements for any organization in the food chain |
A | HS |
Food safety management systems — Requirements for any organization in the food chain |
A | HS |
Quality management systems — Guidelines for the application of ISO 9001:2008 to crop production |
B | |
Railway applications — Railway quality management system — ISO 9001:2015 and specific requirements for application in the railway sector |
A | HS |
Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Requirements |
A | HS |
Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Guidance on the use of ISO 22301 |
B | HS |
Activities relating to drinking water and wastewater services — Crisis management of water utilities |
B | HS |
Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection — Information security management systems — Requirements |
A | HS |
Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management systems — Guidance |
B | HS |
Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management systems — Guidance |
B | |
Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management for inter-sector and inter-organizational communications |
B | HS |
Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection — Guidance on the integrated implementation of ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 20000-1 |
B | |
Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection — Guidance on the integrated implementation of ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 20000-1 — Amendment 1 |
B | |
Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection — Governance of information security |
B | |
Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection — Application of ISO 31000 for assessment of identity-related risk |
B | |
Security techniques — Extension to ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002 for privacy information management — Requirements and guidelines |
A | |
Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection — Privacy information management systems — Requirements and guidance |
A | |
Security and resilience — Security management systems — Requirements |
A | HS |
Security management systems for the supply chain — Best practices for implementing supply chain security, assessments and plans — Requirements and guidance |
A | |
Security management systems for the supply chain — Guidelines for the implementation of ISO 28000 — Part 1: General principles |
B | |
Security management systems for the supply chain — Guidelines for the implementation of ISO 28000 — Part 2: Guidelines for adopting ISO 28000 for use in medium and small seaport operations |
B | |
Security management systems for the supply chain — Guidelines for the implementation of ISO 28000 — Part 3: Additional specific guidance for adopting ISO 28000 for use by medium and small businesses (other than marine ports) |
B | |
Security management systems for the supply chain — Guidelines for the implementation of ISO 28000 — Part 4: Additional specific guidance on implementing ISO 28000 if compliance with ISO 28001 is a management objective |
B | |
Security management systems for the supply chain — Guidelines for the implementation of ISO 28000 — Part 1: General principles — Technical Corrigendum 1 |
B | |
Ships and marine technology — Guidelines for Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSC) providing privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) on board ships (and pro forma contract) — Part 1: General |
B | |
Security and resilience — Security management systems — Guidelines for the application and implementation of ISO 28000 in the supply chain |
B | |
Ships and marine technology — Safety and sustainability management systems in commercial shipping on inland waterways — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries — Sector-specific quality management systems — Requirements for product and service supply organizations |
A | HS |
Ships and marine technology — Ship recycling management systems — Specifications for management systems for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling facilities |
A | |
Ships and marine technology — Ship recycling management systems — Guidelines for the implementation of ISO 30000 |
B | |
Information and documentation — Management systems for records — Requirements |
A | HS |
Information and documentation — Management systems for records — Requirements |
A | |
Information and documentation — Management systems for records — Guidelines for implementation |
B | HS |
Information and documentation — Management systems for records — Guidelines for implementation — Amendment 1: Information and documentation — Management systems for records — Guidelines for implementation Amendment 1 1: Non conformities, corrective actions and climate change requirements |
B | |
Knowledge management systems — Requirements |
A | HS |
Knowledge management systems — Requirements — Amendment 1 |
A | |
Knowledge management systems — Requirements |
A | |
Robotics — Application services provided by service robots — Safety management systems requirements |
A | HS |
Sustainable and traceable cocoa — Part 1: Requirements for cocoa sustainability management systems |
A | HS |
Animal welfare management — General requirements and guidance for organizations in the food supply chain |
A | |
Biorisk management for laboratories and other related organisations |
A | HS |
Anti-bribery management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Anti-bribery management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Whistleblowing management systems — Guidelines |
B | HS |
Fraud Control Management Systems — Guidance for organizations managing the risk of fraud |
B | |
Sustainable development in communities — Management system for sustainable development — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Management systems to prevent and combat violence against women in organizations — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | |
Compliance management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Diversity management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | |
Road traffic safety (RTS) management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Facility management — Management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Facility management — Management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Facility management — Influencing organizational behaviours for improved facility outcomes |
B | |
Information technology — Artificial intelligence — Management system |
A | HS |
Collaborative business relationship management systems — Requirements and framework |
A | HS |
Collaborative business relationship management systems — Requirements and framework |
A | HS |
Collaborative business relationship management systems — Guidelines on the implementation of ISO 44001 |
B | HS |
Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements with guidance for use — Amendment 1: Climate action changes |
A | |
Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | |
Occupational health and safety management systems — General guidelines for the implementation of ISO 45001:2018 |
B | HS |
Occupational health and safety management — Guidelines on performance evaluation |
B | |
Occupational health and safety management — Guidelines for organizations on preventing, controlling and managing infectious diseases |
B | |
Water efficiency management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Energy management systems — Requirements with guidance for use |
A | HS |
Energy management systems — Guidance for the implementation, maintenance and improvement of an ISO 50001 energy management system |
B | |
Energy management systems — Guidelines for a phased implementation |
B | |
Energy management systems — Guidance for implementing a common energy management system in multiple organizations |
B | |
Energy management and energy savings — Guidance for net zero energy in operations using an ISO 50001 energy management system |
B | |
Energy management systems ― Assessing energy management using ISO 50001:2018 |
B | |
Management Systems for UN Sustainable development goals – Requirements |
A | HS |
Quality management systems — Particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2015 for electoral organizations at all levels of government |
A | HS |
Quality management systems - Guidelines for the application of ISO 9001 in police organizations |
B | |
Asset management — Vocabulary, overview and principles |
B | |
Asset management — Asset management system — Requirements |
A | HS |
Asset management — Management systems — Guidelines for the application of ISO 55001 |
B | HS |
Asset management — Management systems — Guidelines for the application of ISO 55001 |
B | |
Asset management — Guidance on the alignment of financial and non-financial functions in asset management |
B | |
Asset management — Guidance for the development of public policy to enable asset management |
B | |
Asset management — Guidance on people involvement and competence |
B | |
Asset management — Guidance on the management of data assets |
B | |
Guidance for asset management decision making |
B | |
Innovation management system — Requirements |
A | HS |
Innovation management — Innovation management system — Guidance |
B | HS |
Innovation management — Innovation management system — Guidance |
B | |
Explosive atmospheres — Part 34: Application of quality management systems for Ex Product manufacture |
A | HS |
Explosive atmospheres — Part 34: Application of quality management systems for Ex Product manufacture |
A | |
Software engineering — Guidelines for the application of ISO 9001:2015 to computer software |
B | HS |