“ISO Standards are not mandatory. Then why do we often say ‘...according to ISO requirements...’? ”

One of the most common questions I hear from non-quality people.

And it’s a fair one — it highlights a common misunderstanding about what ISO Standards really are, what they are for, and how to use them.

Let’s start with the Fact: ISO standards are not laws. They don’t carry legal weight.

No organization is forced to follow ISO Standards.

What Are ISO Standards, Really?

ISO standards are essentially a collection of Global Best Practices: Frameworks, built on decades of experience, that help organizations improve, grow and perform better.

They’re best formulas for doing something in the most effective, efficient and sustainable way.

Just pause for a sec here: there are currently over 25,000 ISO Standards published!!

Think of them as the Playbooks of the world's most experienced teams across countless industries.

So when does an ISO Standard become a Requirement? Here’s where it gets interesting.

The truth is, it doesn’t — until the moment a company decides to get certified.

Conformity vs. Certification - this is where many get confused:

- Conformity is when you voluntarily build systems and align your processes with an ISO Standard.

- Certification is when you go one step further, formally commit to the standard and open your doors to a third-party evaluation (Certification Body).

That’s when the standard becomes a requirement — because you’ve chosen to prove your systems conform to global benchmarks.

Conformity: The Foundation of ISO

Organizations choose to align their systems with ISO Standards to improve performance and demonstrate that they operate according to globally recognized practices. This is called Conformity — it’s about building processes and practices.

However, Conformity alone isn’t enough for most businesses.

Customers, partners and markets want proof.

That’s where ISO Certification comes in.

Certification: The Key That Opens the Door

Certification signals to customers and partners that your organization has put effort into building globally recognized systems and is committed to deliver on expectations.

It tells the world: “We are ready to compete on a global scale.”

But remember:

• Certification isn’t a guarantee of success.

• It doesn’t mean your business will never fail, or that customers will always be satisfied.

• And it won’t fix weak internal processes.

Certification is often a prerequisite for entering certain markets, bidding on contracts or partnering with major clients.

But it’s not the finish line — it’s just the square one.

Should Your Business Get Certified?

Ask yourself this first:

↳ Why are we doing this?

↳ Will it help us to become more efficient?

↳ Will it differentiate us from competitors?

If your customers or industry don’t demand it, there’s no need to rush.

Certification puts additional responsibilities not only on Quality Team, but on the whole company.

And it's an extra line in the budget – annually!

Instead:

↳ Start by building the foundation.

↳ Focus on internal systems that work for your company.

↳ Align your practices with the standard.

↳ Train your People.

↳ Create a Culture of Quality before inviting the pressure of audits.

When the time comes — and if certification supports your business goals — you’ll be ready to pursue it without cutting corners.

Because trust me, "Fake it till you make it" doesn’t work in ISO audits.

=» ISO Standards are a choice.

=» Certification is a commitment.

=» But neither will matter if you’re not doing the real work.

The question isn’t whether you conform to ISO — it’s whether you’re ready to compete on a global stage.