High Level Structure (HLS)

07 Jul 2015

In 2012 ISO established that the management systems standards should have a common structure, called HLS, applicable to the new ISO standards and future revisions of existing ones

HLS means:

• terminology, text, definitions, titles and the common sequence of the same
• greater importance given to the concept of risk. 

In particular, all management system standards present:

• a structure made up of 10 principal points
• within each point there are some paragraphs and content, inclusion of which in all the standards is obligatory
• where necessary, the individual standards may add specific requirements in relation to their fields of application.

HLS in brief

a. Risk-based thinking: the risk analysis and opportunities go across all normative requirements. The specific requirement dedicated to "preventive actions" disappears.

b. Context of the organisation: a knowledge of the internal and external context, as well as the needs and expectations of interested parties, leads up to correct definition of the field of application of the management system. It also makes it possible to analyse and provide for critical (internal and external) factors that can affect the organisation's capacity to attain the desired results.

c. Leadership: top management must show leadership and commitment so that implementation of the management system is integrated in the organisation's strategic management processes.

d. Planning: allows the organisation to realise the opportunities offered by the reference context, analyse related risks, and prevent negative impacts that could affect attainment of the goals.

e. Documented information: organisations can choose the most adequate ways of preparing and keeping documentation related to their operations.

f. Knowledge management: people's knowledge and skills are elevated to requirement status, as they are deemed a qualifying element to achieve the organisation's objectives.