ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System Certification

ISO 45001 is an international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OH&S), designed to help businesses create a safe, healthy work environment that prevents workplace accidents and health-related issues. This standard provides a comprehensive management framework to identify, control, and minimize occupational health and safety risks, thereby helping protect employees, customers, and stakeholders.

ISO 45001 was developed based on the previous OHSAS 18001 standard for occupational health and safety management. OHSAS 18001 was first issued in 1999 and widely adopted by businesses worldwide. However, with the rapid development of industries and increasing demands for occupational safety, a new, more comprehensive standard compatible with other management systems like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 became necessary. In 2018, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) officially released ISO 45001 to replace OHSAS 18001.

Some key highlights of ISO 45001 include:
- Building a Safe Working Environment: The standard helps businesses establish specific processes and policies to manage risks and reduce the likelihood of workplace accidents, ensuring employee safety.
- Hazard Prevention and Control: ISO 45001 enables businesses to identify potential hazards in their operations, allowing them to implement effective preventive measures to avoid incidents and health risks.
- Legal Compliance: Applying ISO 45001 helps businesses comply with legal and regulatory occupational health and safety requirements, avoiding penalties and legal issues.
- Improved Operational Efficiency: Implementing the OH&S management system improves production processes, increases productivity, and reduces losses related to accidents and occupational illnesses.
- Building Trust and Reputation: ISO 45001 certification demonstrates a company’s commitment to worker safety and health, fostering trust among employees, customers, and partners, and enhancing brand reputation.

Benefits of Implementing and Certifying the ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System:
- Creating a Safe and Healthy Work Environment: ISO 45001 helps businesses develop occupational health and safety risk management processes, reducing the risk of workplace accidents and health issues.
- Legal Compliance: Applying ISO 45001 enables businesses to comply with occupational safety regulations, mitigating legal risks and potential penalties, and maintaining stable and sustainable operations.
- Enhanced Reputation and Trust: ISO 45001 certification shows a strong commitment to employee health and safety, building trust and credibility with customers, partners, and stakeholders.
- Building a Safety Culture: Implementing ISO 45001 promotes participation and accountability among all employees in maintaining workplace safety, fostering a strong safety culture that encourages everyone to act preventively to protect their health and safety and that of their colleagues.
- Increased Competitiveness: ISO 45001 certification helps businesses stand out in tenders and international partnerships. It demonstrates adherence to international safety standards, increasing opportunities to access new markets and expand business relationships.
 
II. CERTIFICATION PROCESS

1. Certification registration: To obtain ISO 45001:2018 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 occupational health and safety management system (OH&S) 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 45001:2018 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 45001:2018 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