ISO 45001 Certification

ISO 45001 is the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems, helping organisations proactively identify and eliminate hazards and reduce workplace risks.

What is ISO 45001?

Healthy, motivated employees are a cornerstone of business success. An occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system provides a framework for systematically identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting measures in place to prevent work-related injuries and ill health.

ISO 45001 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and published in 2018. It replaced BS OHSAS 18001; when the IAF migration period ended on 30 September 2021, accredited OHSAS 18001 certificates ceased to be valid. In February 2024 ISO published amendment ISO 45001:2018/Amd 1:2024, which adds to clause 4.1 the requirement to determine whether climate change is a relevant issue, and a note to clause 4.2 that interested parties can have climate-change-related requirements.

Who should seek ISO 45001 certification?

ISO 45001 certification suits organisations of all sizes and sectors that want an effective OH&S management system. It is especially useful for:

Manufacturing, construction, logistics and other higher-risk industries.
Organisations that rely on contractors or temporary workers, or work at customer sites.
Suppliers to multinational groups with safety requirements across their supply chain.
Companies that want to demonstrate responsibility towards employees and aim to reduce losses from accidents and sick leave.

Structure and focus of ISO 45001

ISO 45001:2018 follows ISO's common Annex SL structure (then called the High Level Structure, now the Harmonized Structure), which makes integration with ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 straightforward. Key emphases of the standard include:

Context of the organisation: workers and other interested parties are considered, including contractors and outsourced and procured processes within the organisation's control.
Top management's role: top management takes overall responsibility and accountability for the system.
Consultation and participation of workers in identifying hazards and developing controls.
Risk-based thinking: proactively considering risks and opportunities, for example when investing in new machinery, changing infrastructure or selecting suppliers.

Extensions and related schemes

Beyond integration with other management systems, TÜV NORD GROUP also offers related specialised schemes such as the TÜV NORD CERT Occupational Health Management (OHM) system, SCC certification for contractors, or the Safety Culture Ladder, which assesses the maturity of an organisation's safety culture. Please contact us for information on the availability of these schemes in Vietnam.

Benefits for your organisation

A safer workplace

Hazards are identified early and risks are controlled and reduced systematically.

Lower costs

Fewer accidents and occupational illnesses can mean less disruption and fewer losses.

Managed legal requirements

Health and safety legal requirements are identified and compliance is evaluated systematically.

More engaged employees

Greater safety awareness, competence and motivation create a competitive advantage.

How it works

Initial enquiry, scope definition and quotation
Contract signing and an audit plan tailored to your organisation
Stage 1 audit: understanding your organisation and readiness for certification
Stage 2 on-site audit: interviews with management and workers, and site inspection
Independent four-eyes review and certification decision
Issue of the certificate once all requirements are met
Regular surveillance audits to maintain and continually improve the system

Frequently asked questions

What should be considered when assessing risks and opportunities under ISO 45001?

ISO 45001 requires risk-based thinking: the organisation must review OH&S risks and opportunities thoroughly and systematically. Rather than reacting after incidents, it should plan ahead, for example when investing in new machinery, changing infrastructure, introducing innovations or selecting suppliers. The results should feed into objectives and planned actions.

We still work to OHSAS 18001. What should we do?

OHSAS 18001 has been replaced by ISO 45001, and accredited OHSAS 18001 certificates ceased to be valid after 30 September 2021. Organisations still running an OHSAS 18001-based system should update it to ISO 45001, particularly regarding context, leadership and worker participation, and then apply for a new certification audit.

Who is interviewed during an ISO 45001 audit?

ISO 45001 emphasises leadership and worker consultation and participation, so audits typically include interviews with top management, managers, permanent and temporary workers, occupational safety and health officers, on-site occupational health staff and worker representatives. Where possible, contractors working on site are interviewed too.

Can ISO 45001 be integrated with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001?

Yes. ISO 45001 shares the Annex SL structure (now called the Harmonized Structure) with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, so core clauses and terms are aligned. You can build one integrated management system that shares internal audits, management review and control of documented information, and combine audits to save time.

Related services

ISO 9001 CertificationISO 9001 certification gives independent evidence that your quality management system meets the standard, now ISO 9001:2026. See how the audit works.ISO 14001 CertificationISO 14001 certification gives independent evidence of your environmental management system, helping you control impacts and compliance obligations.

Talk to our experts

Contact TÜV NORD Vietnam in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Vung Tau for detailed information on ISO 45001 and a quotation for your organisation.