Introduction to ISO 56001
ISO 56001 is the international standard for innovation management systems, providing organisations with a structured framework to systematically manage innovation. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 56001 helps organisations turn ideas into value in a consistent, repeatable and measurable way.
As innovation becomes critical to long-term competitiveness, resilience and sustainability, ISO 56001 enables organisations to move beyond ad hoc innovation and embed innovation as a core business capability. The standard applies to all types of innovation, including product, service, process, business model and organisational innovation.
Who the standard is for
ISO 56001 is designed for any organisation seeking to improve its ability to innovate, regardless of size, sector or maturity. It is particularly relevant for:
- Organisations operating in fast-changing or highly competitive markets
- Businesses seeking to future-proof operations and respond to emerging risks and opportunities
- Organisations aiming to align innovation with strategic objectives
- Public sector bodies and not-for-profit organisations driving social or service innovation
- Organisations already certified to ISO management system standards such as ISO 9001 or ISO 14001
The standard is applicable across industries including manufacturing, energy, technology, healthcare, professional services and the public sector.
Key components of ISO 56001
ISO 56001 follows the high-level structure (Annex SL) used by other ISO management system standards, making it easier to integrate with existing systems. Key components include:
Innovation strategy and leadership
The standard requires top management to define an innovation vision and strategy aligned with organisational objectives. Leadership commitment is essential to create direction, allocate resources and promote innovation across the organisation.
Culture and organisational context
ISO 56001 places strong emphasis on understanding internal and external context, including market conditions, stakeholder needs and organisational capabilities. It also encourages a culture that supports creativity, learning, collaboration and calculated risk-taking.
Innovation processes
Organisations must establish structured yet flexible processes to identify opportunities, generate ideas, validate concepts and realise value. These processes should support both incremental and breakthrough innovation.
Resources and competencies
The standard requires organisations to identify and provide the necessary people, skills, knowledge, tools and infrastructure to support innovation activities.
Performance evaluation and improvement
ISO 56001 focuses on measuring innovation performance using relevant indicators. Continuous improvement is achieved through monitoring, learning from outcomes and adapting the innovation management system over time.
Benefits of ISO 56001
Implementing ISO 56001 delivers a range of strategic and operational benefits, including:
- Improved ability to consistently deliver successful innovation
- Stronger alignment between innovation activities and business strategy
- Increased organisational agility and resilience
- Better decision-making through structured evaluation of opportunities and risks
- Enhanced collaboration across teams and functions
- Greater confidence for stakeholders, partners and investors
By standardising innovation management, organisations can reduce uncertainty while increasing the return on innovation investment.
Impact on organisational culture
ISO 56001 plays a significant role in shaping organisational culture. By embedding innovation into governance, leadership and everyday practices, the standard encourages:
- Openness to new ideas and diverse perspectives
- A learning mindset that values experimentation and feedback
- Psychological safety, enabling people to challenge the status quo
- Cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing
Over time, this cultural shift helps organisations move away from siloed thinking and reactive change, towards proactive and sustainable innovation.
ISO 56001 certification vs internal adoption
Organisations can choose to adopt ISO 56001 internally or pursue third-party certification.
Internal adoption
Internal adoption allows organisations to use ISO 56001 as a best-practice framework without formal certification. This approach is often used to build innovation capability, pilot new ways of working or prepare for future certification.
Certification
ISO 56001 certification provides independent assurance that an organisation’s innovation management system meets international best practice. Certification can enhance credibility, support tender requirements, strengthen brand reputation and demonstrate commitment to structured innovation.
The choice between internal adoption and certification depends on organisational objectives, stakeholder expectations and maturity.
How LRQA can support
LRQA supports organisations at every stage of their ISO 56001 journey, from early awareness through to certification and continual improvement.
Our services include:
- Gap analysis to assess current innovation practices against ISO 56001 requirements
- Training and awareness programmes for leaders and innovation teams
- Independent certification services delivered by experienced auditors
- Ongoing support to drive continual improvement and integration with other management systems
With deep expertise across management systems, risk management and assurance, LRQA helps organisations build innovation capability that delivers real and measurable value.
