In a world where customers trust standards over promises, Different types of ISO certifications has become a powerful credibility tool for every business — whether you’re a manufacturer, food startup, school, IT company, healthcare unit, or export-based MSME.
Before we explore the types, here’s a quick definition:
✅ What is ISO Certification?
ISO certification is a stamp of quality given to a business when it follows international standards for quality, safety, environment, food handling, data security, energy management, etc.
It signals to customers, banks, and foreign buyers that your organisation meets globally approved systems and processes.
You may also like to read: Subsidy for ISO Certification: A Golden Advantage MSMEs Can’t Afford to Miss to Get ₹75,000 Support
Diffferent types of iso Certifications Every Business Should Know
1️⃣ ISO 9001 – Quality Management System (QMS)
Purpose: Ensures consistent quality, customer satisfaction, and process control
Who needs it? All sectors — manufacturing, service, startups, MSMEs
Why it matters: Required in most tenders & global supply chains
2️⃣ ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System (EMS)
Purpose: Reduces pollution, waste, and environmental impact
Who needs it? Factories, construction, energy, chemical, textile units
Why it matters: Helps comply with environmental laws & ESG goals
3️⃣ ISO 22000 – Food Safety Management System
Purpose: Ensures safe food handling from farm to plate
Who needs it? Food processors, hotels, cloud kitchens, exporters, catering
Why it matters: Mandatory for many food exporters & retail chains
4️⃣ ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety
Purpose: Protects employees from workplace accidents
Who needs it? Manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, mining
Why it matters: Lower insurance cost, safety compliance, avoids legal issues
5️⃣ ISO 27001 – Information Security Management
Purpose: Protects business data from cyber threats
Who needs it? IT companies, SaaS, fintech, hospitals, banks
Why it matters: Mandatory for many software export contracts
6️⃣ ISO 50001 – Energy Management System
Purpose: Controls electricity, fuel & energy consumption
Who needs it? Steel, cement, power plants, large industries
Why it matters: Saves energy cost + improves sustainability score
7️⃣ ISO 13485 – Medical Devices Quality Management
Purpose: Ensures safety & quality of medical equipment
Who needs it? Medical device makers, hospitals, lab suppliers
Why it matters: Needed for export approval in EU, USA, Middle East
8️⃣ ISO 21001 – Education Organizations Management
Purpose: Quality process for educational institutions
Who needs it? Schools, colleges, training centres, edtech institutes
Why it matters: Helps build trust among parents & accreditation bodies
9️⃣ ISO 37001 – Anti-Bribery Management System
Purpose: Prevents corruption and unethical payments
Who needs it? Corporates, NGOs, government contractors
Why it matters: Improves governance, builds investor trust
🔟 ISO 14064 – Carbon Footprint / Greenhouse Gas Standard
Purpose: Measures & reduces CO₂ emissions
Who needs it? Sustainability-focused companies, exporters, energy firms
Why it matters: Helps in green certification & carbon credit trading
✅ Summary Table of Different Types of ISO Certifications
| ISO Standard | Main Purpose | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | Quality | All industries |
| ISO 14001 | Environment | Manufacturing, infra |
| ISO 22000 | Food Safety | F&B, agro, catering |
| ISO 45001 | Workplace Safety | Factories, logistics |
| ISO 27001 | Data Security | IT, BFSI, healthcare |
| ISO 50001 | Energy Efficiency | High-energy industries |
| ISO 13485 | Medical Quality | Medical devices |
| ISO 21001 | Education Quality | Schools & edtech |
| ISO 37001 | Anti-corruption | Corporates & NGOs |
| ISO 14064 | Carbon Control | Climate & green sector |
✅ Why Businesses Go for different types of ISO Certifications
✔ Builds trust with customers & global partners
✔ Helps in government tender eligibility
✔ Improves internal systems and productivity
✔ Required for exports & large brand supply chains
✔ Qualifies MSMEs for government subsidy on ISO certification (up to ₹75,000)
🔗 Important Reference Links (Short & Clickable)
- ✅ Official ISO Website – https://iso.org
- ✅ Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) – https://bis.gov.in
- ✅ MSME ISO Subsidy Scheme – https://dcmsme.gov.in
- ✅ Udyam Registration Portal – https://udyamregistration.gov.in
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✍️ About the Author
Tabrez | BusinessZindagi
Writes practical, research-based content on MSMEs, entrepreneurship, subsidies, and business systems. Helping Indian founders grow with the right information, not hype.
