ISO 41001

Facility Management - Management System

WHAT IS ISO 41001?

Like the other ISO standards, ISO 41001 is the most recent standard published by the International Standard Organization. With ISO 41001, the organisation places its focus on building management, more commonly known as facility management.

ISO 41001 was implemented to establish the requirements a facility management system must meet in organisations that:

want to demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of facility management, and what it contributes to the organisation’s goals,
pursue consistency in defining the requirements and needs of all the parties involved in the facility management process and
aim to be sustainable in a highly competitive environment.

It should be considered that the new ISO 41001 functions like other standards we have discussed (for example, ISO 50001). It is NOT a law and is not mandatory; it is not a document that describes how to work step by step.

A standard is a document that provides a set of requirements, specifications and characteristics we can use to guarantee that materials, products and processes are adequate for reaching a series of objectives.

In the case of the new ISO 41001 standard, its requirements do not apply specifically to any particular sector. Standards are designed for all types of organisation (public or private).

BENEFITS OF ISO 41001

Facilities management is a professional discipline that touches every organization, large and small. As such, it has a significant influence on how efficiently companies function in a number of areas.

In financial terms, facilities management constitutes the second-highest cost for any organization with few exceptions and can, where relevant, make a considerable contribution to the bottom line on an ongoing basis.

In efficiency terms, facilities management has responsibility for the management, operation and maintenance of business assets, thus influencing their life cost and usability.

In compliance terms, facilities management is responsible for the health, safety and building management ensuring the organization fulfils its obligations to those who use the workspace and are likely to be affected by its operations.

In environmental and sustainability terms, facilities management is responsible for operations in the workplace as well as the impact that its operations have on the local and overall environment.

ISO 41001 will enable the supply side of organizations to acquire certification as a market differentiator and help private- and public-sector organizations set the benchmarks they expect their supply partners to adhere to. This, ultimately, will be to the advantage of all parties.