Certification of Integrated Management Systems (IMS)
Integrated Management Systems – what is that?
An Integrated Management System (IMS) refers to a corporate organization in which the common principles of ISO management standards are taken into account, and the requirements of multiple system standards are integrated on that basis. Starting, for example, from a quality management system according to ISO 9001, areas such as energy (ISO 50001), environmental management (ISO 14001), occupational health and safety (ISO 45001), information security (ISO/IEC 27001) also addressed.
All audits from a single source.
Together with our partners, we can offer combined audits according to many additional standards. These include, among others, MDSAP, ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 50001.
We aim to cover as many systems as possible with as few auditors as necessary. This way, you have fewer points of contact during the audit, and our auditors gain a comprehensive view of your organization. It saves time and effort for everyone involved.
By conducting process-oriented audits of multiple management systems simultaneously, various synergies can be achieved:
Auditors are qualified for several systems and can cover them in a single audit.
Interviews with management and staff can be conducted for multiple systems at once, resulting in both time and cost savings. This also spares your personnel the “frustration” of repeated questioning.
Audit appointments can be combined, reducing on-site audit duration by up to 20%.
Overall, this leads to significant cost advantages compared to handling each certification separately. The greatest potential for certifying Integrated Management Systems lies in synchronized audit cycles, as staggered certification cycles increase audit time—and thus costs—during recertification.
We are happy to provide you with a customized quote or answer any questions you may have. As a subsidiary of the AFNOR Group, we offer our services worldwide.
Please note: A reduction in audit time only applies if the management system is truly integrated.
There is no specific certification standard for Integrated Management Systems (IMS). However, standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 share many common elements through the High-Level Structure, e.g., structure, PDCA cycle, process orientation, and risk management.
Each management system and its individual standard requirements must be reviewed and certified separately, regardless of whether the systems exist in parallel or are integrated.
The benefits do not come from “a single shared standard” but from the practical approach to auditing IMS.
Unified structure: Consistent systematics across all management systems
Simplified complexity: Streamlines processes and reduces duplication
Clear responsibilities: Well-defined and consistent roles and accountabilities
Comprehensive risk assessment: Holistic evaluation of risks across all areas
Cross-functional management: Coordinated oversight across departments
Shared legal register: Consolidated tracking of applicable laws and regulations
Common performance indicators: Unified reporting and monitoring metrics
Combined internal audits and management reviews: Efficiently integrates audit and review processes
How can I switch from my current certifier to Berlin Cert?
Tired of having different certifiers in your company all the time? Looking for competent contacts when it comes to your company’s certification? Or simply seeking fresh ideas for your organization?
Don’t wait for the next certification cycle: a switch is easily possible even mid-year, at the next surveillance audit. With our transfer service, we guide you step by step in switching from your current certifier to Berlin Cert / GUTcert.
