Legal Compliance In The ISO Framework – Your Questions Answered

Organizations of all sizes are increasingly required to keep and maintain records that demonstrate compliance with a wide range of standards and regulations. Key among these is the ISO framework. In this post, will answer a list of common questions about the benefits of ISO compliance, how it can be implemented in your organization, and what you need to do to maintain compliance.  
 What are the benefits of ISO standards? 
There are many benefits of ISO standards, but some of the most important ones relate to legal compliance. By having an ISO-compliant management system in place, businesses can be sure that they are meeting all of the necessary legal requirements. This can save them a lot of time and money in the long run, as well as peace of mind. Additionally, ISO standards can help businesses to win new contracts and customers, as many companies now specify that their suppliers must be ISO-compliant. 

Why is it necessary to comply with legal requirements?
 There are a number of reasons why it is necessary to comply with legal requirements. First and foremost, complying with the law helps to ensure that businesses are operating within the bounds of what is considered acceptable behaviour. This can help to avoid fines or other penalties that could be incurred if a business is found to be operating outside of the law. Additionally, complying with legal requirements can help to protect businesses from legal liability. If a business is found to be in violation of a law, they may be subject to civil or criminal penalties. Finally, complying with legal requirements can help to improve public perception of a business. Consumers and other members of the public are more likely to trust and do business with companies that are known to operate within the law.   

Who is responsible for a company’s compliance obligations? 
The senior management team of a company is responsible for its compliance obligations. This includes ensuring that the company has adequate resources in place to comply with its legal obligations, as well as ensuring that employees are aware of their responsibilities under the law. In addition, senior management must ensure that the company has procedures and processes in place to prevent and detect non-compliance and monitor for updates in the compliance landscape.  

Legal Compliance and the Review Process? 
The review process is basically in 4 steps.
Step 1. Review your current legislation list and identify any changes to legislation adn possible impacts to your business.
Step 2. Check if there are any new Legislation, Regulations, Codes of Practice and Standards that are applicable to the business and add them to the list.
Step 3. For each of the changes identify what needs to change within the business. Is it a policy, procedures, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or SWMS (Safe Work Method Statements).
Step 4. Make sure any changes to your Management System are clearly consulted with staff affected.

FYI: Make sure you are following your document control procedure when updating documents. 

Conclusion  The process of managing legal compliance in the ISO framework can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little bit of research and planning, you can ensure that your organization is compliant with all the relevant regulations. We hope that this article has answered all your questions about managing legal compliance in the ISO framework and that you now feel confident in taking on this challenge. 

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *