ISO 56001:2024 Innovation Management System Certification

I. INTRODUCTION TO ISO 56001:2024

ISO 56001:2024 is a standard on Innovation Management Systems, issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in September 2024. The standard is designed to set out requirements and provide comprehensive guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an innovation management system within organizations and businesses. Applying this standard is expected to drive innovation activities and effectively manage these activities for all types of organizations, regardless of their size or field of operation.

ISO 56001 is the central standard within the ISO 56000 family on Innovation Management, published by ISO. This family includes the following standards:

- ISO 56000:2020 Innovation Management — Fundamentals and Vocabulary
- ISO 56001:2024 Innovation Management System — Requirements
- ISO 56002:2019 Innovation Management — Innovation Management System — Guidance
- ISO 56003:2019 Innovation Management — Tools and Methods for Innovation Partnership — Guidance
- ISO/TR 56004:2019 Innovation Management Assessment — Guidance
- ISO 56005:2020 Innovation Management — Tools and Methods for Intellectual Property Management — Guidance
- ISO 56006:2021 Innovation Management — Tools and Methods for Strategic Intelligence Management — Guidance
- ISO 56007:2023 Innovation Management — Tools and Methods for Idea and Opportunity Management — Guidance
- ISO 56008:2024 Innovation Management — Tools and Methods for Performance Measurement of Innovation — Guidance
- ISO/TS 56010:2023 Innovation Management — Illustrative Examples of ISO 56000

To facilitate integration with other management systems like ISO 9001, ISO 14001, the ISO 56001 standard is structured with requirements in the following sections: 4- Context of the Organization, 5- Leadership, 6- Planning, 7- Support, 8- Operation, 9- Performance Evaluation, and 10- Improvement. Based on this structure, the requirements of the standard focus on critical aspects, such as identifying innovation policies and strategies and integrating them into the overall development strategy; creating an environment that encourages creativity and ensures the participation of all employees; managing intellectual assets and innovative initiatives systematically; regularly evaluating and continuously improving the innovation management system to ensure it remains relevant and effective; identifying and managing risks impacting the innovation process to ensure safety and effectiveness in innovation activities.

When implementing an innovation management system based on ISO 56001:2024, businesses need to analyze the current state to identify innovation needs and opportunities, while also developing resources for innovation activities. Utilizing creative tools is crucial in achieving breakthrough improvements. These tools not only help businesses develop new ideas but also assist in effectively managing and implementing innovation solutions. Depending on actual needs, companies may use one or more of the following tools to develop innovative solutions:

- SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats): A tool to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, identifying areas for innovation and building creative strategies.
- TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving): A methodology comprising creative tools and principles that helps businesses find breakthrough solutions in technological improvement, product development, and solving technical problems. TRIZ includes specific tools suitable for finding creative solutions, such as the Contradiction Matrix, 40 Inventive Principles, Laws of Technical System Evolution, and ARIZ (Algorithm for Inventive Problem Solving).
- Brainstorming: Encourages participation and creative thinking from multiple individuals in the organization to generate new ideas and creative solutions.
- Design Thinking: Focuses on understanding user needs, identifying core issues, and developing innovative solutions through a five-step process: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.
- Benchmarking: Compares a company's processes and results with leading industry players to identify improvement and innovation opportunities.
- Mind Mapping: A visual tool that helps organize and develop creative ideas, establishing connections and structure within innovation projects.
- Blue Ocean Strategy: Focuses on discovering and developing untapped markets, avoiding direct competition, and creating unique customer value.
- Six Thinking Hats: A group thinking method that allows team members to evaluate an issue from multiple perspectives, promoting creativity and comprehensive analysis.
- Scenario Planning: Develops different future scenarios so businesses can anticipate and prepare for changing situations, thereby developing innovative solutions.
- Open Innovation: Encourages collaboration among companies, research institutions, and external individuals to foster creativity and develop new solutions through the sharing of ideas and resources.

Benefits of Applying the ISO 56001 Innovation Management System 

- Enhancing innovation performance: Helps organizations and businesses strengthen their innovation capabilities and manage risks during the innovation process.
- Optimizing value from innovation: Improves the ability to turn creative ideas into tangible value through new products, services, and processes.
- Building a culture of continuous innovation: Encourages ongoing improvement activities, developing sustainable innovation capacity, and reinforcing flexibility and creativity within the organization.
- Increasing reputation and brand: Builds a stronger corporate reputation, attracting more customers, partners, and potential investors.
- Strengthening collaboration and investment opportunities: Enhances collaboration capabilities with both domestic and international partners, expanding potential funding for innovation projects.
 
II. CERTIFICATION PROCESS

1. Certification registration: To obtain ISO 56001:2024 certification, organizations need to contact GIC Vietnam for registration guidance. Organizations then complete the application and submit it to GIC Vietnam with the required certification documents.

2. Audit program and auditor assignment: GIC Vietnam develops an assessment program, clearly defining the activities needed to confirm that the organization’s Innovation Management System meets certification requirements. Auditors are selected based on expertise relevant to the assessment field, with additional technical auditors added as necessary.

3. Assessment process: Conducted in two stages:
Stage 1: Review documentation, conditions, scope, and the organization's readiness for stage 2 assessment.
Stage 2: Evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the management system, including the following steps: Opening Meeting → Department/Unit Evaluation → Assessment Report Preparation → Closing Meeting.

4. Assessment report and corrective actions: The organization must implement corrective actions for errors and deficiencies found during the assessment, ensuring all requirements are fully met.

5. Review and certification issuance: The Certification Council reviews the assessment records to decide on certification approval or denial. ISO 56001:2024 certification is issued once the organization fully meets the requirements and is valid for three years, with periodic monitoring required to maintain validity.
 
III. GIC CERTIFICATION BENEFITS

- International recognition: GIC is a globally recognized certification body, endorsed by prestigious organizations such as CPSC (USA), UKAS (UK), JAS-ANZ (Australia - New Zealand), SAAS (SAI), VICAS (Vietnam), SAC (Singapore), CNAS (China), and others. GIC certification offers national and international credibility, recognized by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and Asia-Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC), helping businesses expand markets and increase global reputation.

- High-quality certification service with competitive cost: GIC Vietnam provides certification services to strict European and North American standards, ensuring that the business’s products and services meet international requirements. Alongside excellent service quality, GIC offers competitive, reasonable costs, helping businesses optimize expenses while achieving international recognition, facilitating participation in major markets and sustainable development.
 
For ISO 56001:2024 certification inquiries, please contact:
 
GIC VIETNAM
12F, 14 Lang Ha Building, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Tel: 024.6275 2268, Fax: 024.6275 2269, Email: tuandm@gicvn.vn
Ho Chi Minh City Office: R502, 160 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Tel: 028.39307936