As organisations add new ISO standards over time, certification can quickly become harder to manage. Audits multiply, responsibilities blur and keeping track of requirements across standards takes more effort than it should.
When this happens, many organisations look for ways to simplify. Two common approaches are integrating management systems or consolidating them with one provider. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they describe different ways of working. Understanding the difference matters, especially when transferring certification or planning what comes next.
Why this choice often comes up
The question of integrated versus consolidated management systems often arises at natural transition points. A change in certification body. A review of audit costs. Business growth that has made the existing setup harder to manage.
Transfer is a moment to pause and assess whether your current approach still fits. Some organisations use this point to fully integrate their management systems. Others decide that consolidation offers the right balance of control and effort. Both can be effective when chosen for the right reasons.
What is an Integrated Management System?
An Integrated Management System (IMS) brings multiple ISO standards into a single, aligned framework. Shared processes such as leadership, risk assessment, internal audits, corrective actions and management review are designed to meet the requirements of all relevant standards at once.
This is possible because modern ISO management system standards follow a common structure under Annex SL. With consistent clauses and terminology across standards, organisations can align controls without building separate systems for each one.
In practice, an IMS means:
- One set of core processes supporting multiple standards
- Risks assessed in a consistent, joined-up way
- Evidence collected once and used across certifications
- A coordinated audit programme that reflects how the business operates
For organisations with the right level of maturity and resource, integration can deliver strong visibility, simpler governance and long-term efficiency.
What does it mean to consolidate management systems?
Consolidation takes a different approach. Instead of fully integrating processes, standards are managed side by side but brought together operationally.
This often involves:
- Using one certification provider for multiple standards
- Aligning audit schedules where possible
- Sharing audit days or assessors without fully merging systems
- Maintaining separate documentation where it makes sense
Consolidation can reduce duplication and administrative effort without the change management required for full integration. For many organisations, particularly those with limited internal resource or well-established systems, this can be a practical and effective option.
Integrated vs consolidated: The key differences
The difference is not about right or wrong, but about fit.
An Integrated Management System focuses on aligning how the organisation operates. A consolidated approach focuses on simplifying how certification is managed.
Integration tends to suit organisations that:
- Have multiple interrelated risks across standards
- Want a single, joined-up view of performance
- Are planning growth, new standards or acquisitions
- Have the resource to manage change across systems
Consolidation often suits organisations that:
- Want to reduce audit effort without redesigning systems
- Have limited time or internal resource
- Are early in their certification journey
- See integration as a longer-term goal rather than an immediate priority
Both approaches can support effective certification, compliance and risk management when designed to reflect the organisation’s context.
Choosing the right approach for your organisation
The right choice depends on what you are trying to achieve. For some organisations, integration supports stronger governance and long-term scalability. For others, consolidation provides immediate relief from audit pressure while maintaining control.
What matters most is clarity. Understanding the difference helps organisations make informed decisions rather than defaulting to a model that doesn’t quite fit.
How transfer supports both approaches
Whether you choose integration or consolidation, transferring your certifications to a single provider can simplify the process. A coordinated transfer makes it easier to align audit cycles, reduce disruption and create a more predictable certification experience.
LRQA works with organisations to understand their goals, assess their current systems and support the approach that best suits their needs. That may mean moving towards an Integrated Management System, consolidating certifications under one provider, or creating a phased path from one to the other.
Whether you need a clean certificate transfer or broader support to strengthen governance and risk management, find out how LRQA can work with you from day one.
