Integrating Quality and Sustainability: The Path to Responsible Management with ISO 9001

Authors: M.Sc. Gibrán Eduardo Vallín Martínez & Eng. Santiago González Esparza

Technical Support: Integrated Systems, Global Standards

The 19th and 20th centuries marked the beginning of a new era in which human development was based on the unrestrained exploitation of global natural resources. This wear and tear, coupled with excessive consumption, brought about what became known as “environmental problems.” In recent decades, measures have been established to reduce or reverse these issues. One such global effort, established by the United Nations (UN) with the support of its member countries, is the “Sustainable Development Goals” (SDGs). Through 17 goals, this initiative seeks to eradicate the main problems facing humanity and ensure a future where development aligns with respect for the environment.

In 2024, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), with the intention of raising environmental awareness within organizations certified in standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 22000, ISO/IEC 27001, and ISO 37001 (among others, totaling over 30 management system standards), established considerations regarding climate change. These amendments include requirements referencing actions to be taken regarding climate change. This paved the way for all organizations, regardless of the specific standard, to consider actions for environmental care.

One of the objectives of any organization (whether certified or not) is to guarantee that its operations can be sustained over time. In recent years, organizations have had to broaden the scope of their internal and external contexts to consider factors aligned with current issues, thereby establishing measures to minimize the impact of external factors on their operations.

Climate change is a major external factor that can impact operations. However, the sustainable management of resources allows for the fulfillment of quality objectives coupled with respectful environmental management.

In recent years, the trend for organizations certified under the ISO 9001 standard has been to offer products and services that meet (or exceed) consumer needs and expectations. This, added to the interest in protecting the environment, has made it possible for quality and sustainability to go hand in hand, giving rise to their integration within a certified system.

To achieve this integration, ISO 9001 and all ISO standards sharing the Harmonized Structure facilitate the consideration of environmental care within their various clauses. By adding efficiency and continuous improvement, resources can be utilized in a sustainable manner.

Below are aspects to consider within a Quality Management System that allow an organization to begin the path toward sustainable operations:

· Align quality objectives with the responsibility of environmental care.

· Align profitability and customer satisfaction with the principles of environmental protection and social responsibility.

· Focus on an ISO system: Considerations must include the analysis of the organization’s context, stakeholders, top management leadership, policy, actions to address risks and opportunities, quality objectives, resources, awareness, and operational controls. These are then validated and reviewed through monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation, finally focusing on improvement, just as every Management System focuses on the Deming Cycle (PDCA).

Business excellence refers not only to product quality but also to the effect operations have on the environment and society. Integrating quality with sustainability within management systems is not just a trend; it is considered a strategic necessity to ensure that organizations are competitive, responsible, and enduring, building a solid system in the face of global challenges.

References.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). THE SDGS IN ACTION. Viewed online at: Sustainable Development Goals | United Nations Development Programme