The global construction industry is one of the most lucrative and competitive. To successfully bid on projects, construction firms must run an efficient operation, one that is proactive about safety and sustainability, and flexible enough to respond to evolving industry demands.

Certification to any of several ISO standards is one of the best investments a construction firm can make. Certified construction contractors have built-in credentials that will help them grow their business, mitigate compliance and liability risks, and run a leaner, more responsive operation overall.

Construction Industry Standards

The construction industry is multifaceted, comprising contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, designers, suppliers and other professionals in the private, government and military sectors. Depending on the nature of your organization, any of several standards may be relevant, including:

• ISO 9001 - the international standard for quality management — one of the most commonly used ISO systems in the world

• ISO 14001 - the international standard for environmental management systems

• ISO 50001 - the international standard for energy management systems, and ESOS, a mandatory energy assessment scheme for large U.K.-based organizations

• ISO 45001 - the international standard for health and safety management, which supersedes the older OHSAS 18001 system

• ISO 44001 - the international standard for collaborative working

Visit individual standard pages to learn more about the certification process and the specific benefits of becoming a certified organization.

Benefits of Certification for the Construction Industry

ISO designed each of the above standards to be broadly applicable to any organization, regardless of industry. Each contains a set of repeatable processes and benchmarks for monitoring performance and initiating a cycle of continuous improvement. While every organization is different, there are several concerns universal to the construction industry that standardization can help with. These include:

• Injury prevention: The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that each year, 2.78 million workers die from occupational accidents or diseases. In addition, 374 million nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses further drive up the economic and human costs of insufficient health and safety management. ISO 45001 is one of the most important standards for the construction industry, as it provides a proactive framework for both preventing and responding to health and safety incidents.

• Efficiency and accuracy: ISO standards can help construction companies run a cost-effective business — and deliver on their promises to clients. ISO 9001 improves predictability; transparency and internal communication, helping you win jobs without affecting the quality of the work you complete. Just as importantly, it provides a high-level framework for bringing other concerns — health and safety, energy use and asset management, among others — in line with your broader business goals.

• Regulatory compliance: As regulations governing energy use and green building become stricter, both government agencies and private companies will look for partners with demonstrated credentials in these areas. ISO standards such as ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 are known and accepted worldwide — they offer an effective way for contractors to meet their compliance requirements and grow their business in new areas and territories.

Working with NQA

NQA can assist with construction industry certification and training related to ISO and other standards. Request a quote using our online form or keep exploring our website to learn more about who we are and what we do.