International Standards: A Common Language in Facility Management.

The facility management profession is constantly evolving and improving, and international standards play a vital role in this process. There is constant pressure to maintain compliance with relevant regulations and best practices as businesses worldwide rapidly globalize. International standards ensure that facility management operatives worldwide help raise the profession’s overall quality and provide a common language and framework to measure performance, compare services, and resolve disputes.

On World Standards Day, in this article, we will explore some of the most common international standards and best practices that help organizations to investigate the state of facilities management practices and notice those vast improvements by adhering to international standards. 

Navigating The Complexities of Facility Management with International Standards.

Standards globally recognize quality, safety, sustainability, best practices, and technical guidance criteria. Created by non-governmental global, regional, and local standardization bodies, they assist in identifying international standards for best practices and technical recommendations in response to a need identified or an opportunity to improve existing standards. Some international facilities management standards include ISO Standard 19011 for audits, ISO Standard 9001 for Quality Management Systems, ISO Standard 55001 for asset management, ISO Standard 41001 for Facility Management, and ISO Green Building Standards (Codes) for sustainable buildings. 

The Five International Standards every facility manager must know.

ISO 9001:2015 - Quality Management Systems: 

ISO 9001 provides criteria for the design and implementation of quality assurance systems. Such systems include: 

• Quality management systems related to product or service reliability, legal and regulatory requirements to meet applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, and
• Enhance customer satisfaction with the practical application of the system by system process improvement and the assurance of conformity to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

ISO 41001:2018 – Facility Management:

These standard guides are establishing and operating facility management systems (FMS). The standard applies to all organizations that manage facilities, regardless of size or type. Organizations can use the guidance in ISO 41001:2018

• To improve their facility management processes and practices. 
• Describes facility management principles and how to establish and operate a facility management system. 
• It applies to all organizations that provide facility management services regardless of size or type.
• Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their facility management operations. 
• Assesses the performance of facility managers and service providers and benchmark facilities against others in the same industry. 

ISO 14001: 2015 - Environmental Management Systems:

ISO 14001 is an environmental management standard that provides guidelines for creating an environmental management system. 

• Helpful for organizations looking to improve their overall environmental management processes.
• Enhancement of environmental performance.
• Fulfillment of compliance obligations.
• Achievement of environmental objectives.

ISO 45001:2018 - Occupational Health and Safety Management System: 

ISO 45001 is the first international occupational health and safety management system standard. 

• Creates a framework for organizations to improve occupational health and safety performances.
• Based on risk management principles can help organizations identify and control potential hazards in the workplace. 
• Organizations can improve their safety records and create a safer work environment for their employees.

ISO 55001 - Asset Management System:

The standard identifies, assesses, and controls the risks associated with the assets. Based on the ISO 55000 series of measures, organizations can plan and implement effective asset management programs which guide asset management.

The standard covers all aspects of asset management, including:

• Asset life cycle management
• Risk management
• Maintenance and operations
• Cost management

How to implement the process of International Standards

There are several ways to implement ISO standards in facility management. The most common way is to develop a plan that outlines how the organization will comply with the standards. The facility manager sets and reviews the method regularly. Additionally, the facility manager should train all employees on the ISO standards and how they apply them to their work. Finally, the organization should keep records of all compliance activities and maintain a system for regularly auditing compliance. By following these steps, organizations can ensure that they are meeting the requirements of the ISO standards.

To get certified, your organization must go through an accredited certification body. The certification process typically consists of the following steps:

1. Request a quotation from the certification body.

2. Review the quotation and decide if your organization is ready to proceed with the certification process.

3. If you decide to proceed, sign a contract with the certification body.

4. The certification body will then send an auditor to your organization to assess whether or not you meet the requirements of ISO.

5. Once the auditor has finished their assessment, they will compile a report detailing their findings.

6. If the report finds that your organization meets the requirements of ISO, you will be issued a certificate of compliance.

Benefits of Standardization in Facilities Management.

The primary benefit of standardization is that it identifies and implements standards applying to the industry and within an organization’s scope of operations critical to achieving consistent operational results. Many organizations achieve standardization by following one or more standards. For example, an organization may follow a benchmark for quality management, asset management, and facilities management. Standardization also provides a foundation for continuous improvement. For an organization to improve its operations and deliver high-quality results, it must first have the ability to measure past performance. Most importantly, standardization provides:

• a consistent and dependable approach to managing facilities,
• assets, and
• the operational results that directly impact the organization.

Facility managers rely on international standards to provide consistent, high-quality services. These standards can assist organizations in improving performance, achieving desired outcomes, and reducing risks. To accomplish this, facility managers must understand the basics of each standard, its benefits, and the requirements for implementation. International standards are also crucial in supporting organizations that must comply with regulatory requirements or operate in industries requiring specific types of service.

It’s another matter to figure out the root cause and what gremlin you need to work on and get right. The new standards recently assure facilities managers of continuity, compliance, safety is a priority, performance assessments for equipment purchasing or upgrading, and confirmation that designs will be fit for purpose. 

Standards are essential in facilities management because they provide a common language and set of guidelines regarding the operation and maintenance of facilities. Having standards helps improve communication between different departments, contractors, and suppliers and makes resolving issues easier. Standards can also help to increase the efficiency of facilities by helping to streamline processes and reduce downtime. 

Denali is India’s first certified facilities management company (ISO 41001). We also help clients learn and achieve international standards and certifications. To know more, contact us at info@denaliassets.co.in or visit us at www.denaliassets.co.in