India's #1 Compliance Partner

ISO 45001 2018 Certification

ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) that helps you prevent workplace...

Free Consultation

25,000+

Clients

200+

Certifications

25+

Years

Pan-India

Presence

Get expert consultation

Trusted by 25,000+ leading enterprises worldwide

Key takeaways

ISO 45001 certification establishes a globally recognized Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) to prevent workplace risks and legal issues.
It replaces OHSAS 18001; since March 2021 all valid certificates must be transitioned to ISO 45001:2018.
The standard is built by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), drawing on OHSAS 18001 and International Labour Organization recommendations.
Indian companies such as Tata Steel, L&T and Infosys adopt the framework to meet global ESG and compliance benchmarks.
The audit process involves a documentation review, risk assessment and on-site implementation checks by third-party auditors.
A certificate is valid for three years, with annual surveillance audits and a recertification audit at the end of the cycle.
Typical issuance takes 3 to 6 months, depending on the size, complexity and preparedness of your organisation.

Overview

What is ISO 45001:2018 certification?

ISO 45001:2018 is an internationally recognized set of specifications that establishes the framework for an effective Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). It lets an organisation act proactively to make a safer work environment, eliminate workplace risks and improve working conditions for its employees.

ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, is a large independent non-governmental body that develops worldwide standards for management systems such as quality, service and environment. The ISO 45001:2018 framework builds on the basics of OHSAS 18001, adding recommendations from the International Labour Organization and national frameworks.

Whether you are an Indian manufacturer, an EPC contractor or a mid-sized pharmaceutical company, ISO 45001 has moved from a compliance checkbox to a business essential. From Delhi-based infrastructure firms to Chennai’s export-focused chemical plants, organisations embed this standard to reduce accidents, avoid shutdowns and build trust with global partners.

Why Indian companies need ISO 45001 now

Faster tender eligibility, especially with government bodies or PSUs
Lower insurance premiums
Improved employee morale and retention
Better audit readiness for ESG and CSR reporting
Compliance under the Factories Act, 1948 and BIS health and safety code
Stronger standing with global buyers who mandate OHSMS compliance

What changed

ISO 45001:2018 vs OHSAS 18001

Many Indian companies still believe they are certified under OHSAS 18001, unaware the standard is obsolete. Since March 2021, all valid certificates must be transitioned to ISO 45001:2018. A Pune-based engineering SME that failed to transition lost a French aerospace contract because its system was no longer recognised.

Feature	OHSAS 18001
Structure	Not aligned with ISO High Level Structure
Focus	Hazard control
Employee role	Passive
Legal compliance	Implied
Cultural fit	Bureaucratic

Feature	ISO 45001:2018
Structure	Integrated with other ISO systems
Focus	Risk-based thinking
Employee role	Active participation required
Legal compliance	Explicit
Cultural fit	Culture of safety and leadership

Why it matters

Advantages of ISO 45001 certification

Lower operating costs

Avoiding accidents reduces liabilities, medical compensation, insurance premiums and lost time that drive up operating costs.

Better stakeholder relationships

Respecting the safety of workers, clients and suppliers fortifies long-term relationships, trust and brand loyalty.

Legal compliance

The certificate keeps your business aligned with national and international safety laws, minimising legal charges.

Stronger risk management

Identifying and mitigating operational hazards helps you respond to risks and reduce disruptions and risk costs.

Increased credibility

Meeting global OHSMS standards is an assurance of your pledge to employee welfare and draws responsible partners.

CSR support

A clear stance on workplace safety aligns the company with global CSR objectives, ethics and sustainability.

Compliance

Why structured safety is now essential

In India, worker safety is not just a moral obligation, it is a strategic business differentiator. Indian workplaces still witness over 40,000 fatal occupational accidents every year, according to the ILO, especially in construction, mining and manufacturing. For companies operating under the Factories Act, 1948 or the BIS health and safety code, the absence of a structured safety system carries real consequences.

What a missing safety system can cost you

Shutdowns of operations following incidents or inspections.
Heavy penalties for failing to meet statutory safety duties.
Criminal liability for the firm and responsible officers.
Lost contracts with buyers who mandate OHSMS compliance.

How it works

The certification process, step by step

ISO 45001:2018 certification follows a systematic approach to evaluate, implement and certify your OHSMS. We break it into a clear implementation path and a formal certification audit.

Implementation with Diligence

Gap analysis and planning
Our consultants analyse your present occupational health and safety system to determine what is lacking against ISO 45001.
Documentation development
We help develop the OH&S policy, risk assessments, objectives, roles and responsibilities.
Implementation
The new or improved OHSMS is applied across the operation.
Internal audit and review
We check the system’s effectiveness, then hold a management review to involve top management in decisions.

Certification audit

On-site audit (Stage 1 and Stage 2)
An independent accredited body reviews documents, then verifies procedures, interviews staff and observes activities on site.
Correct non-conformities
Any non-conformities are addressed with corrective actions within the time limit set by the certification body.
Certificate granted
After a successful audit, the accredited ISO 45001:2018 certificate is issued, valid for three years.
Surveillance and recertification
Annual surveillance audits confirm ongoing compliance, and a recertification audit closes the three-year cycle.

Paperwork

Documents required

Scope of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System, stating its limits and applicability
Occupational Health and Safety Policy committing to a safe and healthy workplace
OH&S objectives, measurable and supporting the overall policy and intent
Hazard identification and risk assessment procedure
Any other documented information required by the ISO 45001:2018 standard to maintain the OHSMS

Lifecycle

Validity & surveillance

The certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue.
Annual surveillance audits confirm ongoing compliance during the cycle.
A full recertification audit is carried out at the end of the three-year cycle.
We help you prepare for audits, update documentation and run continuous improvement measures.

Building a wider management system? See our ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO Certification services.

Budgeting

Cost factors

Pricing depends on the size of the organisation, number of locations, nature of business and associated risk, complexity of existing systems and level of preparedness. The standard heads under which costs are incurred are:

Component	Description
Gap analysis	Pre-certification assessment to evaluate readiness
Consultancy	Optional support to design and implement the OHSMS
Internal audit training	Educating the internal team to manage the system after certification
Audit by certification body	Conducted in two stages, documentation and implementation
Corrective actions	May involve safety gear upgrades, signage and SOP redesigns
Surveillance audits	Annual checks by the certifying body for three years

Want a precise quote for your OHSMS?

Tell us your sector, workforce size and number of sites, and we will map the documents, timeline and exact cost for your ISO 45001 certification.

Get a free quote

Official source

The ISO 45001 standard is published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is ISO 45001 certification?

ISO 45001 is an international Occupational Health and Safety Management System standard that decreases workplace hazards and guarantees worker safety. It signals your organisation’s dedication to safety, reduces legal liabilities and increases credibility with customers and stakeholders.

How is ISO 45001 different from OHSAS 18001?

ISO 45001 supersedes OHSAS 18001 with a risk-based method and aligns with the rest of ISO’s management system standards for better integration. It also requires active employee participation and makes legal compliance explicit. Since March 2021, OHSAS 18001 certificates must be transitioned to ISO 45001:2018.

How long does certification take?

Typically 3 to 6 months, depending on the size, complexity and preparedness of your organisation. The process involves gap analysis, documentation, auditing, corrective actions, certificate issuance and yearly surveillance audits.

Who can apply for ISO 45001 certification?

Any business, big or small, from any industry, can get ISO 45001 certification to guarantee health and safety compliance. It is not legally obligatory, but it is strongly recommended for organisations that want to enhance safety and achieve industry recognition.

What documents are required?

The critical documents are the OH&S policy, the system scope, safety objectives, the hazard and risk assessment procedure and any other documentation required by the standard.

How long is the certificate valid?

ISO 45001 certification remains valid for three years. Annual surveillance audits confirm ongoing compliance, and a recertification audit at the end of the cycle renews the certificate.

25,000+

Clients served

200+

Certifications

100+

Experts

25+

Years

Why Diligence

Why choose Diligence Certification?

For compliance and credibility, Diligence is much more than a checklist - we give you real confidence in your business. We examine your legal, financial and operational status, so you are not just certified, but trusted.

Stronger risk protection

Spot hidden legal, financial or operational risks early - fix problems before they become threats.

Earn stakeholder trust

From investors to customers, people want to work with businesses that play by the rules.

Stay legally aligned

Compliant not just on products but on labour, environmental and tax laws too.

Enhance brand reputation

Show the world you operate with integrity and transparency.

Stand out from competitors

In a crowded market, credibility is your biggest edge.

24×7 expert support

A 100+ strong service team guiding you at every step, free first consultation.

Real sites, real certifications

Our teams work inside factories and plants across India and abroad - inspections, audits and certification milestones spanning BIS, global schemes and the full compliance stack you see on this site.