Significant global increase in the adoption of management standards
An analysis of the ISO Survey for 2024 reveals a significant global increase in the adoption of management system standards, with a particularly sharp rise in certifications for information security management. The newly released data, now compiled directly from the International Accreditation Forum’s IAF CertSearch global database, offers a more accurate and comprehensive snapshot of accredited certifications worldwide.
This annual survey, a benchmark since 1993, provides valuable insights into global trends in compliance and standardisation across various industries. The 2024 edition reflects robust international participation, with data contributed by 76 out of 77 accreditation bodies and over 2,400 certification bodies. This enhanced methodology, leveraging anonymised and aggregated data from IAF CertSearch, marks a pivotal shift towards greater accuracy and transparency in reporting.
Overall Growth in Key Management Standards
The 2024 survey results showcase substantial growth across several key ISO standards when compared to the previous year’s figures. The total number of valid certificates for major standards has seen a significant uptick.
For instance:
- ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management) certificates grew from 837,052 in 2023 to 1,474,118 in 2024.
- ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management) saw an increase from 300,410 to 676,232 certificates.
- ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety) certificates rose from 185,166 to 542,527.
It is important to note that the data for 2023 was incomplete, which accentuates the growth seen in the 2024 results.
A Surge in Information Security Certification: The ISO 27001 Story
The most striking trend in the 2024 survey is the remarkable growth in ISO/IEC 27001 certifications, the standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).
This surge underscores a growing global emphasis on cybersecurity and data protection. The dramatic increase highlights that organisations worldwide are increasingly prioritising the implementation of formal systems to manage and protect their information assets in the face of escalating cyber threats.
A geographical breakdown of the ISO/IEC 27001 certificates reveals that a significant portion of this growth is driven by Asia. The top 20 countries for ISO/IEC 27001 certification in 2024 are:
| Rank | Country | No. of Certificates | No. of Sites |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 33,359 | 62,245 |
| 2 | India | 6,758 | 11,063 |
| 3 | Japan | 6,644 | 12,213 |
| 4 | United Kingdom | 4,445 | 8,428 |
| 5 | United States | 4,260 | 7,831 |
| 6 | Italy | 3,284 | 5,924 |
| 7 | Türkiye | 3,202 | 4,602 |
| 8 | Germany | 2,444 | 4,601 |
| 9 | Spain | 2,425 | 5,202 |
| 10 | Australia | 2,127 | 7,387 |
| 11 | Chinese Taipei | 1,943 | 3,236 |
| 12 | Israel | 1,694 | 1,809 |
| 13 | The Netherlands | 1,568 | 3,345 |
| 14= | Greece | 1,410 | 2,098 |
| 14= | Poland | 1,410 | 2,987 |
| 16 | Indonesia | 1,339 | 1,970 |
| 17 | Republic of Korea | 918 | 1,531 |
| 18 | Romania | 792 | 1,215 |
| 19 | France | 791 | 2,076 |
| 20 | Bulgaria | 752 | 1,238 |
China’s dominant position, with 33,359 certificates, is particularly noteworthy. The improved accuracy of this year’s survey is partly due to enhanced participation from China, with data sourced from the official government authority and complemented by the national accreditation body, CNAS.
Important Considerations and Data Integrity
While the 2024 survey offers a more precise view, there are still factors to consider when interpreting the results. The data for Germany was impacted because the national accreditation body, DAkkS, was unable to share its data through IAF CertSearch, which likely means the number of German certifications is underreported.
Furthermore, a significant challenge remains in the classification of industries. For ISO/IEC 27001, a staggering 88% of certificates were reported under the category “When sector not known”. Despite this ambiguity, the data clearly indicates that the Information Technology sector is the overwhelming leader in adoption.
Conclusion: A Clear Trajectory
The ISO Survey 2024 paints a clear picture of the evolving global landscape of management system standards. The transition to a more streamlined and comprehensive data collection method via IAF CertSearch is a significant step forward. The exponential growth in ISO/IEC 27001 certifications is a direct reflection of the digital age’s challenges, signalling a strong and necessary commitment from organisations across the globe to safeguard their information. As data collection continues to improve, future surveys will provide even deeper insights into these critical global trends.
