bismillah

Global ISO Certification Trends 2024: Insights from IAF’s ISO Survey

  • Auditing and Compliance, ISO
IAF ISO Survey for ISO Certifications

Global ISO Certification Trends 2024: Insights from IAF’s ISO Survey

The latest ISO Survey conducted by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) offers a clear snapshot of the global state of ISO certifications across three major standards — ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.

These standards remain at the heart of organizational excellence worldwide, ensuring quality, sustainability, and safety. At Burraq Consulting, we’ve analyzed these results and compiled the key takeaways that matter most for organizations in Pakistan.

📊 ISO 9001: The Global Benchmark for Quality

The ISO 9001 Quality Management System remains the most widely adopted ISO standard globally — and the data proves its resilience.

🔹 Global Highlights (IAF Survey 2024)

  • China continues to dominate the market, leading the world in total ISO 9001 certifications.

  • Italy, India, Japan, and Germany follow as the next top five markets.

  • Asia and Europe together account for over 75% of all ISO 9001 certifications issued worldwide.

  • Manufacturing, construction, and service sectors hold the largest share of certified organizations.

💡 Burraq Consulting Insight:
For Pakistani businesses aiming to compete internationally, ISO 9001 certification has become non-negotiable. Whether you are in engineering, education, or IT services, it ensures consistent performance and customer satisfaction.

With Burraq Consulting’s expert ISO 9001 implementation support, you can achieve certification efficiently and gain a competitive edge in local and export markets.

🌿 ISO 14001: Environmental Leadership in Action

The survey reveals steady growth in ISO 14001 certifications, reflecting how sustainability is now a core strategic objective for organizations worldwide.

🔹 Global Highlights (IAF Survey 2024)

  • China again leads in ISO 14001 certifications, followed by Japan, Italy, Spain, and India.

  • Together, these top five markets represent over 70% of all ISO 14001-certified organizations globally.

  • The manufacturing and energy sectors show the highest adoption rates.

  • The survey also notes a strong correlation between ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 integration, as organizations build Integrated Management Systems (IMS).

💡 Burraq Consulting Insight:
In Pakistan, adopting ISO 14001:2015 is no longer just about compliance — it’s about demonstrating your commitment to sustainability. We help organizations identify environmental aspects, improve energy efficiency, and align with global green standards.

🦺 ISO 45001: Safety and Sustainability Go Hand in Hand

ISO 45001:2018, the global standard for Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems, continues its rapid growth, according to the IAF’s top market data.

🔹 Global Highlights (IAF Survey 2024)

  • China, India, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom rank among the top markets for ISO 45001 certifications.

  • The transition from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001 is nearly complete worldwide.

  • The construction, heavy industry, and energy sectors lead the adoption rate.

  • Many organizations now combine ISO 45001 with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 to create a comprehensive IMS framework.

💡 Burraq Consulting Insight:
Pakistan’s construction, energy, and oil & gas sectors increasingly require ISO 45001 certification to meet client and regulatory demands. We guide organizations through documentation, training, internal audits, and final certification readiness.

Top 5 Markets by ISO Certifications (IAF Survey 2024)

Rank ISO 9001 ISO 14001 ISO 45001
1 China China China
2 Italy Japan India
3 India Italy Italy
4 Japan Spain Spain
5 Germany India United Kingdom

🗒️ Source: IAF – ISO Survey Top Market Highlights (2024)

This table illustrates the global dominance of Asian and European markets in ISO certification — a trend that signals vast potential for Pakistan to scale up its certification footprint.

What These Trends Mean for Pakistani Organizations

The data shows clear momentum: ISO standards are expanding rapidly, with Asia leading global growth. For Pakistan, this presents an enormous opportunity to strengthen industrial competitiveness and export readiness.

Here’s why ISO certification matters more than ever:

  1. Build International Credibility – Certification validates your processes and attracts foreign partnerships.

  2. Enhance Efficiency & Profitability – ISO systems minimize waste, reduce errors, and improve productivity.

  3. Ensure Regulatory Compliance – Stay aligned with Pakistan’s environmental and safety legislation.

  4. Improve Tender Eligibility – ISO certification is often mandatory for large-scale government or corporate contracts.

  5. Elevate Brand Image – Demonstrate commitment to quality, sustainability, and worker well-being.

💼 The Rise of Integrated Management Systems (IMS)

The IAF survey reveals a growing global preference for Integrated Management Systems that unify ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.

Organizations adopting IMS report:

  • Reduced audit costs and fewer documentation overlaps.

  • Streamlined operations across quality, environment, and safety.

  • Improved communication and cross-department accountability.

💡 Burraq Consulting Advantage:
We are Pakistan’s leading experts in developing customized IMS solutions for companies seeking seamless integration across QMS, EMS, and OHSMS frameworks.

Burraq Consulting: Leading ISO Implementation in Pakistan

As Pakistan’s trusted ISO consultancy, Burraq Consulting delivers complete solutions — from system design to final certification — across multiple standards:

✅ ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management
✅ ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management
✅ ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health & Safety
✅ ISO 22000:2018 – Food Safety
✅ IMS – Integrated Management Systems
✅ Internal Audit & Training Services

Our consultants are industry specialists who ensure your systems meet global compliance and local relevance.

CONCLUSION:

The IAF ISO Survey underscores one key truth — ISO-certified organizations outperform their peers in resilience, reputation, and results. As Pakistan’s economy integrates into global markets, ISO certification is your passport to sustainable growth.

At Burraq Consulting, we are ready to help you implement, improve, and certify your management systems to world-class standards.

Download IAF Survey

Let us help you turn sustainability into a business advantage.

At Burraq Consulting, we guide you through every step of the certification process—from gap analysis and documentation to implementation and internal audits—ensuring a smooth journey toward compliance.

✅ Reduce environmental risks
✅ Improve operational efficiency
✅ Gain international recognition

0304 3544000Email Us