Throughout September, successful ISO audits took place across both K2’s Sweden and UK offices for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, with the addition of ISO 45001 in the UK.
The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) develops globally recognised management standards that help businesses improve performance, demonstrate compliance, and build trust with customers and stakeholders. Implementing ISO standards provides organisations with structured systems to manage quality, environmental impact, and workplace safety more effectively. Undergoing regular audits not only ensures compliance with these standards but also drives continuous improvement, risk reduction, and operational efficiency. For businesses, certification can be a powerful differentiator, both enhancing reputation and increasing customer confidence.
ISOs 9001, 14001 and 45001 explained
ISO 9001 – Quality Management
ISO 9001 is the world’s most widely recognised quality management standard. It provides a framework which helps organisations to consistently deliver products and services that meet customer requirements and regulatory expectations. The standard encourages a process-based approach, risk-based thinking, and continuous improvement. Certification demonstrates a company’s commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency, which are key focus areas during an audit.
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
ISO 14001 sets out requirements for an effective environmental management system (EMS). It helps organisations minimise their environmental impact, comply with application laws, and continually improve their environmental performance. The standard covers areas such as resource efficiency, waste reduction, pollution prevention, and lifecycle thinking. During an audit, evidence of compliance, monitoring, and improvement in relation to environmental performance is assessed.
ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management
ISO 45001 focuses on creating safe and healthy workplaces by preventing work-related injuries and illnesses. It mandates a structured approach to identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective controls. The standard also highlights worker participation and leadership commitment. Passing an ISO 45001 audit demonstrates that an organisation not only complies with safety regulations, but also actively promotes a culture of health and safety.
An outstanding achievement
On the outcome of the audits, Global Head of Compliance and ESG, Linda Rafferty, comments:
“It fills me with great pride to be able to announce that we passed these most recent audits with no non-conformances and no opportunities for improvement identified. Amongst other things, the auditor highlighted our internal education and communication; the engagement, enthusiasm and motivation of each of the employees he interviewed; and our constant drive to improve and evolve.”
Linda continues:
“This outstanding achievement reflects the hard work, collaboration, and commitment of K2’s global teams. It reaffirms what we already know that K2 is a company that never stands still, always looks to improve, and is truly powered by its people.”