Comparison of ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 — A Canadian Industry Perspective

According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), management system standards support governance and leadership functions. Designed to be universally applicable, these standards help improve sustainable business performance and apply across industries and geographies, including Canada’s diverse economy — from resource extraction to manufacturing, logistics, food processing, and tech.

In the Canadian context, ISO management systems are increasingly embraced not only as operational frameworks but also as strategic tools to support regulatory compliance, ESG reporting, and global competitiveness. According to Standards Council of Canada (SCC), ISO standards help Canadian businesses align with international best practices, reduce trade barriers, and gain market access, especially in export-heavy provinces like Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, and British Columbia.

The two standards that have been adopted by the most organizations worldwide are the ISO 9001 Quality Management System standard and the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard. Discover more on how to get DNV certification.

ISO 9001: The Foundation of Quality in Canadian Operations

ISO 9001 is the international standard for a quality management system (QMS). In order to be certified to the ISO 9001 standard, an organization must implement processes and procedure follow the requirements set forth in the standard. ISO 9001 is based on seven quality management principles, including customer focus, leadership and engagement of people, a process approach and ongoing improvement of the processes.

Certification to ISO 9001 is often a "ticket to trade" for suppliers bidding on government or Tier 1 contracts — aligning with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) quality assurance requirements. Discover more about our quality & performance training offering.

What is ISO 14001?

ISO 14001 is the international standard that specifies requirements for an effective environmental management system (EMS). It provides requirements for processes and procedures intended to manage and improve its environmental footprint.

ISO 14001 provides a framework to stay ahead of compliance and foster trust with stakeholders. Industries leading ISO 14001 adoption in Canada include:

Mining and Natural Resources (British Columbia, Quebec, and Yukon)
Oil & Gas (Alberta and Newfoundland & Labrador)
Forestry and Paper (Northern Ontario and British Columbia)
Municipal Waste and Utilities (nationwide)

Discover more about environmental management certifications.

Differences between ISO 9001 and ISO 14001

These standards are not just about meeting regulatory requirements, even if this is often a primary driver in addition to certification to either standard often being a ticket-to-trade. They are about committing to a process that enhances overall organizational performance, be it through quality management or environmental performance.

The differences between ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 primarily revolve around their respective focuses. ISO 9001 is centred on quality management, while ISO 14001 deals with environmental management.

Both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 are based on ISO’s Harmonized Structure and follow the same logic, allowing for easier integration of the two management systems. However, their distinct scopes mean that the specifics of their requirements and the details they cover can differ significantly. ISO 9001's quality management aims to ensure that products and services consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements and to enhance customer satisfaction, whereas ISO 14001 focuses on a systematic approach to environmental responsibility and sustainability.

ISO 9001 and ISO 14001: similarities and common requirements

Despite the distinct focuses of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, they share a common structure and requirements common to ISO’s Harmonized Structure upon which both standards are built. This facilitates integration of the two management systems, which simplifies the implementation process for organizations when adding a system and enables a cohesive approach to managing different aspects.

Both standards require organizations to establish, implement, maintain and continually improve their management systems. They emphasize the importance of understanding and meeting customer and regulatory requirements, the need for top management leadership and commitment, and the necessity of taking a structured, process approach. These shared principles highlight ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 similarities. For example:

Documented Information. Both standards require organizations to maintain and retain documented information to support the operation of processes and to retain knowledge. This includes the creation and updating of information as well as its control. Internal audits and management review are also common requirements, ensuring that the management systems are regularly evaluated and improved upon.
Operational Planning and Control. This is a shared requirement where organizations must plan, implement and control the processes needed to meet the requirements of the standard(s) and to implement the actions determined from the risk assessments.
Monitoring, Measuring, Analysis, and Evaluation. This is essential to both standards. Organizations must monitor the performance and effectiveness of their management systems. This includes determining what needs to be monitored and measured, the methods for monitoring, when the monitoring and measuring shall be performed, and when the results from monitoring and measurement shall be analyzed and evaluated.

Why ISO Certifications Matter in the Canadian Market

Whether exporting maple syrup from Quebec, building wind turbines in Ontario, or delivering tech services from British Columbia, ISO certifications are vital for businesses to: compete in international markets, meet Canadian regulatory and industry requirement and enhance credibility with government and corporate clients.

ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 are more than operational frameworks — they are strategic business tools that help Canadian organizations deliver value, reduce risk, and contribute to a more sustainable economy. By adopting these standards, Canadian companies demonstrate accountability, drive improvement, and meet growing market and regulatory demands.

Don’t Know Where to Start? Begin with Training.

Well-trained teams are the backbone of any successful management system. Whether your organization is focused on quality through ISO 9001 or environmental performance through ISO 14001, investing in training is the first step toward lasting success.

Explore ISO training courses offered across Canada by DNV.

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