What is ISO Certification? Benefits and Types of ISO Standards Businesses Should Know [2025]

In today’s competitive and globalized world, having an ISO certificate is no longer optional. For many businesses, it’s a requirement. ISO certification not only helps businesses enter international markets but also improves internal processes, increases efficiency, and ensures consistent product and service quality. So, what exactly is ISO certification? How many types of ISO standards are there? And how can it help your business?

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What is ISO?

ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization, founded in 1947 in Geneva, Switzerland. It is an independent, non-governmental organization that develops and publishes international standards. These standards are used worldwide to help organizations manage their operations effectively and ensure consistent quality.

Vietnam officially became ISO’s 72nd member in 1977. Since then, many Vietnamese businesses have adopted international ISO standards, especially in quality management (ISO 9001), food safety (ISO 22000), and environmental management (ISO 14001).

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What is ISO Certification?

ISO certification is the process where a business or organization is evaluated and officially recognized by a third-party certification body for meeting a specific ISO standard. This means the organization has a clear and effective management system and complies with both technical and legal requirements.

An ISO certificate is not just a legal document—it is also a competitive advantage, especially for companies that want to export or work with major supply chains locally and globally.

Common ISO Certifications

Here are some ISO standards that are commonly used in Vietnam and around the world:

• ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management system for all industries and business sizes.

• ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental management system that helps reduce negative impact on the environment.

• ISO 22000:2018 – Food safety management system, including HACCP principles, used across the food supply chain.

• ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational health and safety standard for workplaces with potential risks.

• ISO 27001:2013 – Information security management system for organizations handling sensitive data.

• ISO 50001:2018 – Energy management system for efficient use of resources and cost control.

• Other standards include ISO 13485 (medical devices), ISO 26000 (social responsibility), and ISO 17025 (testing and calibration laboratories).

  

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Benefits of ISO Certification

Better Management and Operations

Applying ISO standards brings real value to a business. It helps create a clear and scientific management system. Every step—from production and quality checks to customer service—is easier to control, monitor, and improve. This reduces mistakes and waste while increasing productivity.

Legal Compliance and Global Standards

Having an ISO certificate helps businesses meet legal requirements, especially in areas like food safety, environmental protection, and workplace safety. For example, ISO 22000:2018 can replace the food safety certificate under Decree 15/2018/NĐ-CP in Vietnam. It also helps reduce the number of inspections required by authorities.

Stronger Brand Trust

ISO certification shows that a business is committed to quality and follows international standards. It builds trust with customers, partners, and investors—especially in industries like food, healthcare, manufacturing, and IT.

Lower Costs and Less Risk

With better processes in place, companies can reduce product errors, customer complaints, and costly recalls. Regular audits and reviews also help improve systems and quickly adapt to market changes and customer needs.

Easier Market Expansion

ISO helps businesses access more markets. Many supermarket chains, retailers, and international buyers require ISO-certified suppliers. ISO 22000, in particular, is important for Vietnamese food products to enter strict markets like the EU, Japan, and South Korea.

Steps to Get ISO Certification

1. Build and apply an internal management system based on the ISO standard.

2. Train staff and monitor results.

3. Perform internal audits and fix any issues.

4. Invite a certification body to assess and issue the certificate.

5. Undergo regular audits (1–2 times per year) and renew certification every 3 years.

Conclusion

Having an ISO certificate is not just about legal compliance—it’s a smart strategy for business growth. It improves management systems, boosts competitiveness, reduces risk, and helps businesses enter local and global markets. With popular standards like ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 22000 (food safety), and ISO 14001 (environmental management), companies can build a professional, sustainable, and globally-ready operation.

At Kowa Vietnam, we are proud that our locally made food products have been certified to ISO 22000:2018, the international standard for food safety management systems. This certification proves our commitment to strict quality control, hygiene, and continuous improvement.

Currently, our entire production process is managed based on ISO 22000 to deliver products that meet international standards and fulfill customer expectations.

If you are looking for a reliable partner for OEM/ODM production, private labeling, or wholesale purchasing of high-quality food products, we are ready to collaborate.

For more information, please contact us:

Website: www.kowavietnam.com
Email: info@kowavietnam.com
Hotline: (+84 211) 3789 889