If you have seen any of the ISO management system standards, you will know that the management system has a high-level structure called Annex L.
The structure allows for easy integration of different ISO management systems standards whenever you want to run an integrated management system.
The high-level structure has 10 Clauses, and the 4th clause is called the context of the organisation
What does the context of the organisation mean according to the ISO management system standard?
Context of the organisation is a new clause added to the ISO management system. The clause requires all businesses to know the environment of their operation and consider internal and external factors or issues that can affect their specific objectives. When you hear of the context of the organisation, it means the business environment and the issues( internal and external) that can affect the organisation.
In order words, the context of the organisation is knowing your environment of operation and factors and conditions that can affect your products, services, investment and even the interested parties.
Why is the context of the organisation important?
Different businesses have different factors that affect them-both internally and externally.
So, the context of the organisation ensures that the peculiar and unique factors affecting your business are known and not a one-size-fits-all approach issues.
How to determine the context of the organisation?
You can follow the list below and see the context of the organisation depending on any ISO management system standard. You can apply it to any business and list the issues involving them.
- Identify the internal issues that can affect your business-Business is your products, service, investments and interested parties. Examples of internal issues are regulatory requirements, assets, Information systems, and relationships with your employees, partners and suppliers.
- Identify the external issues that affect your business-They are competitors, Government regulations, Economic shifts, changes to law and Changes in technology.
- Identify your interested parties and their requirements-Customers, partners, suppliers, vendors, and employees. Identify their needs and how they will affect your business. For example, enhancing customer satisfaction will improve your business.
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Onyeka Emma is a QHSE Professional with more than 10 years of experience in occupational health and safety, which spans many industries such as construction, beverage, oil and gas, etc. He has many health and safety certifications, including NEBOSH IGC, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 Lead auditor certificate. A member of IOSH, ISPON, and Nigeria Red Cross Society. He is interested in business, entrepreneurship, Speaking, and motivating people to do better for themselves. He enjoys leisure with a good motivational book.
