TL 9000 is a quality management system designed specifically for the Telecommunications Industry. It is based around ISO 9001 and was developed by the Quality Excellence for Suppliers of Telecommunications (QUEST now TIA) Leadership Forum in response to product and service failures within the industry. Representatives from major stakeholders decided that only by defining specific quality needs and by setting clear goal objectives could the Telecommunications industry promote a culture for continuous improvement.

TL 9000 defines the telecommunications quality system requirements for the design, development, production, delivery, installation and maintenance of products and services. Included in TL 9000 are performance and cost-based metrics that measure reliability and quality performance of the products and services.

Success of the scheme is taking place as a result of its adoption throughout the supply-chain. (See more about TL 9000.)

Originally published in 1987 by the International Organization for Standardization, ISO 9001 is a generic quality systems standard that specifies, in very broad terms, the necessary components of a quality management system. Rather than being specific to any one industry, ISO 9000 details the basic requirements of the quality function for all industries. ISO 9001 gives you the tools to grow a better business through continuous improvement and refined processes. The latest version of ISO 9001 is ISO 9001:2015. Today more than 500,000 businesses have achieved ISO 9001 certification throughout the world, making it by far the most recognized symbol for quality in the global marketplace.(See more about ISO 9001.)

The (ISO 45001) specification gives clearer direction to an occupational health and safety management system. ISO 45001 is an audit/certification specification, not a legislative requirement or a guide to implementation. It should be noted that ISO 45001 does not state specific performance criteria, or give detailed specifications for the design of a management system. Instead, the system is geared towards reducing and preventing accidents and accident-related loss of lives, resources, and time.

ISO 45001 has been developed to be compatible with the ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) management systems standards. It is its hope that any organization that implements ISO 45001 can easily integrate it with other quality, environmental or occupational health and safety management systems. The ISO 45001 Specification follows the Plan-Do-Check-Review cycle, with a concurrent emphasis on continual improvement. This model aligns well with the structure of other management system documents such as ISO 14001, thus aiding the progress of integrated management systems.

The elements of ISO 45001 includes Policy and commitment, Hazard identification, risk assessment & risk controls, Legal requirements, Objectives and Programs, Organization and personnel, Training, Communication and Consultation, Documentation and records, Operational Controls, Emergency Readiness, Measurement and monitoring, Accident and incident investigation, corrective and preventive action, Audit and Review, and Application and Relevance in the Industry. (See more about ISO 45001 .)

Protection of the environment is one of society’s key goals. A significant increase in environmental awareness and stricter environmental regulations has led many organizations to integrate environmental protection into their corporate management systems structure.

Leading corporations have been utilizing environmental management systems (EMS) for years to help them reach defined environmental objectives. Now, a streamlined environmental management tool is available to all corporations in the form of ISO 14001, an internationally recognized environmental management system conformance standard. Very similar in structure to the ISO 9001 quality management system standard, ISO 14001 outlines key requirements to which companies should comply in order to operate in an environmentally responsible manner.

The ISO 14001 elements provide diverse organizations a framework for managing and continually improving their environmental programs. Many companies already monitor air and water permits, or toxic use reduction programs. Utilizing ISO 14001, companies can now merge environmental programs into one coherent system to efficiently manage all environmental activities.

In short, ISO 14001 can provide your company a competitive advantage, by demonstrating to your customers that your environmental processes and impact is effectively managed, continually improving, and part of the corporate management system. (See more about ISO14001…)