As organizations around the world prioritize workplace safety and compliance, the role of qualified auditors becomes increasingly crucial. With the release of ISO 45001:2018, the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS), a significant shift occurred from the previous OHSAS 18001 standard.
For professionals already certified as lead auditors in OHSAS 18001 or another ISO standard (such as ISO 9001 or ISO 14001), transitioning to ISO 45001 requires specialized knowledge and skills. That’s where ISO 45001 Migration Lead Auditor Training comes into play.
This article provides a complete overview of what the training entails, why it's important, who should attend, course content, delivery formats, and how it can benefit your career or organization.
ISO 45001:2018 is the first internationally recognized standard that outlines the requirements for an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). It aims to help organizations prevent work-related injuries and illnesses by creating safe and healthy workplaces.
ISO 45001 replaces the earlier OHSAS 18001 standard and introduces a more proactive, risk-based approach aligned with other ISO management systems (like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001), thanks to its Annex SL high-level structure.
ISO 45001 Migration Lead Auditor Training (sometimes called ISO 45001 Auditor Conversion Training) is a short, intensive course designed for professionals who are already certified lead auditors in OHSAS 18001 or another ISO standard.
Rather than retaking a full 5-day Lead Auditor course, the migration course allows experienced auditors to:
Understand the key differences between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001
Gain proficiency in ISO 45001 requirements and terminology
Learn how to audit against the new standard
Maintain or update their lead auditor credentials
This training is typically IRCA (International Register of Certificated Auditors) or Exemplar Global certified, ensuring international recognition.
ISO 45001 Migration Lead Auditor Training is designed for individuals who already have auditing experience and hold certifications such as:
OHSAS 18001 Lead Auditor
ISO 9001 Lead Auditor
ISO 14001 Lead Auditor
Or equivalent ISO lead auditor certifications
Target audience includes:
Existing lead auditors in occupational health and safety
HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) professionals
Management system consultants
Internal auditors upgrading their certification
Compliance and risk management officers
If you’ve never attended an auditor course before, you should instead enroll in a full ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Training course.
Food safety is an increasingly critical concern in today's global marketplace. With the rise in foodborne illnesses and stricter consumer and regulatory expectations, businesses across the food industry are turning to internationally recognized standards to ensure product safety and quality. One such globally accepted framework is HACCP certification. Standing for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, HACCP is a proactive approach to identifying, evaluating, and controlling food safety hazards. This article explores what HACCP certification entails, its benefits, the certification process, and why it’s a cornerstone for food safety compliance and customer trust.
HACCP certification (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is a systematic preventive approach to food safety. Originally developed in the 1960s by NASA and Pillsbury to ensure the safety of food for space missions, HACCP has evolved into a globally recognized standard used by food producers, processors, and handlers.
Rather than relying solely on end-product testing, HACCP focuses on identifying potential hazards throughout the food production process—from raw materials through production, handling, and distribution—and implementing control measures at critical points.
There are seven core principles of HACCP:
Conduct a hazard analysis
Determine the critical control points (CCPs)
Establish critical limits
Establish monitoring procedures
Establish corrective actions
Establish verification procedures
Establish record-keeping and documentation procedures
These principles create a structured, evidence-based approach to managing food safety.
HACCP certification is a formal recognition that an organization has implemented a HACCP system compliant with regulatory requirements or international standards. It is awarded by an independent third-party certification body after a thorough audit of the food safety system and operational practices.
Certification provides assurance that an organization systematically identifies food safety risks and has control measures in place to prevent, eliminate, or reduce those risks to acceptable levels.
Depending on the region and industry, HACCP certification may be required by law or serve as a voluntary best practice to demonstrate commitment to safety and compliance.
The importance of HACCP certification lies in the multitude of benefits it offers to food businesses, regulators, and consumers:
HACCP systems help identify and eliminate safety hazards before they reach the consumer. This proactive approach reduces the risk of contamination, recalls, and foodborne illness outbreaks.
Many countries mandate HACCP-based systems for food businesses, particularly in sectors such as meat, seafood, dairy, and juice processing. Certification ensures compliance with local and international food safety laws.
HACCP certification is often a requirement for exporting food products to international markets. It demonstrates that a company meets global safety standards, facilitating trade and partnership opportunities.
Displaying a HACCP certificate builds trust with consumers and clients by signaling that the company prioritizes hygiene, safety, and quality.
Implementing HACCP encourages structured processes, proper documentation, and accountability, leading to improved operational control and reduced waste or product loss.
HACCP offers a framework for systematically identifying risks and planning how to prevent them, which is vital for risk mitigation and business continuity.
HACCP certification is beneficial—and often essential—for various types of food-related businesses, including:
Food manufacturers and processors
Catering companies
Restaurants and foodservice providers
Retailers and wholesalers
Beverage producers
Food packaging companies
Transportation and logistics providers for food
Essentially, any organization involved in the food supply chain can benefit from implementing and certifying its HACCP system.
Getting HACCP certified involves several steps, usually with the help of a food safety consultant or internal team. Here’s a breakdown of the typical process:
Staff at all levels must understand the principles of HACCP. This often involves formal training sessions for management and key employees, including a certified HACCP course.
Form a multi-disciplinary team with members who have expertise in production, quality assurance, maintenance, and sanitation.
Document all relevant product information, including ingredients, processing methods, storage, and intended use.
Map out each step in the production process, from receiving raw materials to final product delivery.
Identify where hazards can occur and determine which points are critical for controlling them.
Define acceptable limits at each CCP and how those limits will be monitored consistently.
Plan procedures to correct deviations from critical limits, ensuring that unsafe products do not reach consumers.
Put systems in place to verify that the HACCP plan is effective and document all procedures, monitoring results, and corrective actions.
Some companies conduct an internal or consultant-led pre-audit to ensure readiness before the formal certification audit.
An accredited third-party certifying body conducts a comprehensive audit. If all requirements are met, the organization is awarded HACCP certification.
HACCP certification is not a one-time event. To maintain certification, companies must:
Conduct regular internal audits
Continuously update the HACCP plan in response to process changes or new hazards
Train new staff
Cooperate with annual surveillance audits conducted by the certification body
Failure to comply with ongoing requirements can result in suspension or revocation of certification.
While HACCP is foundational, it often works in tandem with or as a part of other food safety management systems. Here are some related standards:
ISO 22000: A comprehensive food safety management system that incorporates HACCP principles with ISO management system requirements.
GFSI-recognized schemes like BRCGS, SQF, and FSSC 22000 often require or include HACCP as a core component.
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices): A prerequisite program that supports HACCP by ensuring a sanitary production environment.
Understanding these standards helps businesses choose the best path based on their industry, size, and market goals.
In a world where quality, consistency, compliance, and customer satisfaction are crucial, organizations are turning to internationally recognized standards to guide their operations. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has become the global benchmark for best practices in areas ranging from quality management to information security, environmental protection, occupational safety, food safety, and more.
But implementing ISO standards effectively requires more than just documents and checklists. It demands a deep understanding of the standard’s principles, requirements, and practical application. This is where ISO training plays a critical role.
ISO training equips individuals and organizations with the skills and knowledge needed to interpret, implement, and audit ISO standards successfully. In this comprehensive guide, we explore what ISO training is, why it's important, the types available, who needs it, and how it benefits both professionals and businesses.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental international body that develops and publishes standards to ensure the quality, safety, efficiency, and interoperability of products, services, and systems.
Popular ISO standards include:
ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems (QMS)
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
ISO 27001 – Information Security Management Systems (ISMS)
ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems (OHSMS)
ISO 22000 – Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS)
These standards provide structured frameworks that help organizations meet regulatory requirements, improve operational performance, reduce risks, and increase customer satisfaction.
ISO training refers to educational programs designed to teach individuals how to understand, implement, maintain, and audit ISO management systems. Training can be general or specific to a certain standard and is delivered through various formats, including classroom sessions, virtual courses, workshops, or self-paced e-learning.
ISO training is essential for:
Ensuring successful implementation and maintenance of ISO standards
Preparing for ISO certification audits
Building internal auditing capabilities
Enhancing employee awareness and participation
Supporting continual improvement within the organization
An ISO Lead Auditor Course is designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform audits of management systems against various ISO standards. These courses are essential for those seeking to become certified lead auditors, capable of leading audit teams and ensuring organizational compliance with international standards.