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IMS · Multi-standard

Integrated Management Systems (IMS)

Run ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 — or add IATF 16949 and AS9100 — as one lean, integrated system with shared processes and a single audit cycle. Less duplication, less cost, easier to maintain.

Wales & the South West — Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Bristol the Midlands — Birmingham, Coventry, the automotive manufacturing belt London & the South East — London, Essex, Kent the North of England — Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield
What is an IMS

One system, multiple standards

An Integrated Management System (IMS) combines the requirements of two or more ISO standards — typically ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 — into a single set of processes, documentation and audit cycle, rather than running three (or more) separate, overlapping systems.

Because ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 all now share the same Harmonised Structure, the clauses on leadership, risk, competence, document control and management review are almost identical across all three — which is exactly what makes integration practical rather than just theoretical. Add IATF 16949 or AS9100 on top for automotive or aerospace requirements, and the same principle still applies.

Who it's for

Who benefits from an IMS

Businesses holding, or seeking, multiple certifications

You already run ISO 9001, 14001 and/or 45001 separately, or want to add certifications and don't want the administrative burden to multiply.

  • One process map instead of three
  • One internal audit programme instead of three
  • One management review instead of three

Businesses adding IATF 16949 or AS9100

You need a sector-specific standard on top of your existing quality, safety and environmental systems.

  • Sector requirements layered onto a shared core
  • Reduced duplication of documentation
  • A single audit-ready system
What's included

What's included

Gap analysis across all standards

One assessment covering every standard in scope, so overlaps and gaps are identified together, not separately.

Integrated manual & process maps

A single set of documentation that satisfies every standard's requirements without duplicating content.

Shared risk, objectives & legal registers

One risk register, one set of objectives and one legal/compliance register spanning quality, safety and environment.

Combined internal audit programme

A single, risk-based internal audit schedule covering all standards across the year.

Single management review

One management review meeting covering quality, safety and environmental performance together.

Certification body coordination

We help you coordinate certification and surveillance audits across standards to minimise disruption.

Our process

How we build your IMS

1

Gap analysis

We assess your current systems (or starting point) against every standard in scope.

2

Design the integrated structure

We map out shared processes and where sector-specific requirements sit on top of the common core.

3

Build & implement

We create the integrated documentation, train your team and run the combined internal audit programme.

4

Certify & sustain

We support certification or transition audits across all standards and can retain to keep the system live.

Why Control Edge

Why work with Control Edge on your IMS

Common questions

IMS questions, answered

Do I still get separate certificates for each standard?

Usually yes — certification bodies typically still issue a certificate per standard, but they can be audited together in a single combined audit visit once your system is integrated, which is where the time and cost savings come from.

Can I integrate more than three standards?

Yes. IATF 16949 and AS9100 both build on ISO 9001's structure, so sector-specific requirements can be layered onto the same integrated core alongside ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.

Does integrating save money?

Most clients see a meaningful reduction in audit days, documentation duplication and internal audit effort once systems are integrated, because assessors and auditors are reviewing shared processes once instead of three times. The exact saving depends on your current setup, which we'll assess on a scoping call.

Can you integrate systems we already have in place?

Yes — integrating existing, separately-run systems is one of the most common projects we do, often triggered by the cost or hassle of managing three audit cycles.

What does building an IMS cost?

We quote every IMS project on a fixed-scope basis after a free scoping call, based on how many standards and sites are involved.

Related services

Explore related services

Most of our clients need more than one of these — here's what tends to go together.

Tired of running separate systems for every standard?

Tell us which standards you hold or need, and we'll show you what an integrated system would look like — and cost.

Talk to a consultant →