An occupational health and safety management system makes it easier to work in a structured way with workplace health and safety issues. It helps you prevent risks and improve the work environment step by step.
A certificate shows that you actively work with occupational health and safety. It also demonstrates that you take a preventive approach to risks and focus on continuous improvement. Effective health and safety management can lead to improved employee well-being, while also reducing costs and increasing productivity.
The certificate is proof that the company meets applicable requirements in regulations and standards. To become certified, employees must also be involved in the certification process.
The management system is based on the international standard ISO 45001:2018. The Swedish version is SS-EN ISO 45001:2023, which was updated in 2023. The content is the same in both versions, which is why both may appear on certificates.
The standard is available for purchase from SIS, the Swedish Standards Institute.
Information for those who want to certify their management system
Certification is carried out by a certification body. Certification bodies that are accredited are referred to as accredited certification bodies. They are listed in Swedac’s accreditation register.
Certification bodies must comply with the requirements of the SS-EN ISO/IEC 17021 standard when performing certifications.
The standard includes requirements such as:
the initial certification assessment is conducted in two stages on-site surveillance is carried out at least once per year a more comprehensive evaluation is conducted at least every three years. This evaluation assesses how effective the management system is and whether it needs to be updated for the next three-year periodInformation for those who want to become accredited
Swedac assesses certification bodies that wish to become accredited to certify management systems. The assessment covers impartiality, competence, the organization’s own management system, and the certification process. Swedac also evaluates how the work functions in practice, for example by observing on-site audits.
To become accredited, certification bodies must meet the requirements set out in Swedac’s regulations (STAFS) as well as in the standards ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC TS 17021-10.
The standards can be purchased from SIS, the Swedish Standards Institute.
There is also guidance available from the international organizations IAF and EA.
Requirements and guidance documents
Occupational Health and Safety Management System according to ISO 45001
Specific documents for the accreditation scheme
Requirements to be fulfilled for accreditation to be granted
IAF MD 22:2023 | Application of ISO/IEC 17021-1 for the Certification of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OH&S MS)
IAF MD 5:2023 | Determination of Audit Time of Quality, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
ISO/IEC TS 17021-10:2018 | Conformity assessment – Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems – Part 10: Competence requirements for auditing and certification of occupational health and safety management systems
Instructions and guidance for fulfilling accreditation requirements
IAF ID 14:2023 | Guidance on the Determination of Audit Time for Integrated Audit of Multi-Site Management Systems
Acceptance criteria for objects/systems/persons assessed by the accredited body
SS-EN ISO 45001:2023 | Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use (ISO 45001:2018, IDT)
General documents for the conformity assessment activity
Requirements to be fulfilled for accreditation to be granted
IAF MD 1:2023 | IAF Mandatory Document for the Audit and Certification of a Management System Operated by a Multi-Site Organization
IAF MD 11:2023 | IAF Mandatory Document for the Application of ISO/IEC 17021-1 for Audits of Integrated Management Systems
IAF MD 2:2023 | IAF Mandatory Document for the Transfer of Accredited Certification of Management Systems
IAF MD 23:2023 | Control of Entities Operating on Behalf of Accredited Management Systems Certification Bodies
IAF MD 28:2023 | IAF Mandatory Document for the Upload and Maintenance of Data on IAF Database
IAF MD 4:2025 | IAF Mandatory Document for the Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Auditing/Assessment Purposes
SS-EN ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 | Conformity assessment – Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems – Part 1: Requirements (ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015)
STAFS 2020:1 | Swedac’s regulations and general advice on accreditation
Instructions and guidance for fulfilling accreditation requirements
IAF ID 3:2011 | IAF Informative Document for Management of Extraordinary Events or Circumstances Affecting ABs, CABs and Certified Organizations
IAF PL 8:2023 | Rules for the Use of the IAF Logo
IAF PL 9:2023 | General Principles for the Use of the IAF CERTSEARCH Mark
SWEDAC DOC 10:5 | Guidance for information security work
SWEDAC DOC 20:1 | Swedac’s policy for reference to accreditation