However, there are 6 common elements in these management system standards that can be managed as a integrated management system across all these standards (including ISO 22000 and OHSAS 18001 as well) to the benefit of the whole organisation.

These common elements are:

1. Policy
2. Planning
3. Implementation and operation
4. Performance assessment
5. Improvement, and
6. Management review

Although each standard has its own specific requirements that need to be addressed, these six elements are present in all the above management system standards. ISO is working, through its ISO Guide 72, to ensure not only that these elements exist in all management system standards, but that they have the same clause numbers in each standard.

PAS 99:2006 Specification of common management system requirements as a framework for integration has been produced to help organisations benefit from consolidating the common requirements. If your organisation has adopted, or is adopting, more than one of these standards, the use of this integrated approach can reduce duplication and complexity and make internal and external audits more effective and efficient.