What is Annex SL?

Annex SL is the high-level structure for modern ISO Standards. Through this new structure, the ISO wanted to ensure consistency and compatibility between the different Management System Standards. In turn, the structure allows for a more straightforward implementation when integrating multiple Standards and makes it easier for businesses and their staff to follow.

Annex SL (Changed to Annex L in 2019) was developed by ISO – the organisation responsible for creating and maintaining international standards with the objective of:

“delivering consistent and compatible management system standards in an attempt to make this process easier”

Annex SL provides the new high level structure for ISO management systems standards – it replaces the historical ISO Guide 83 and expands on the base structure already implemented.

It has been created to introduce identical core text and common terms and definitions. This will:

streamline standards
encourage standardization
ease the integration of management systems.

Annex SL Clauses

The Annex SL structure consists of 10 clauses under which all content in a Management System Standard must be categorised:

Clause 1 – Scope: This defines the intended outcomes of the Management System
Clause 2 – Normative references: References any Standards or publications that are relevant
Clause 3 – Terms and definitions: Definitions of the common terms used throughout the Standard are defined here
Clause 4 – Context of the organisation: This defines the areas that the Management System will cover
Clause 5 – Leadership: This area stresses the importance of the involvement of the leadership team within the operation of the Management System
Clause 6 – Planning: How the Management System will achieve its objectives and how the business will deal with risk
Clause 7 – Support: How the operation of the Management System will be supported to run efficiently
Clause 8 – Operation: Details on the day-to-day processes and operations in your business, including how you will track the performance of these areas
Clause 9 – Performance evaluation: Analysing and monitoring how well your business is operating against the requirements of your Management System
Clause 10 – Improvement: Using the results of your performance evaluation to improve your business and its processes

Where possible these clauses have identical core text, no matter which Standard they are applied to, and share common terms and core definitions. It is necessary in some cases for the definitions to be reworded, but through Annex SL this is kept to a minimum due to the careful wording and planning behind the structure. This means that, for the most part, basic arrangements for the operation of a Management System, regardless of discipline, are standardised.

Another benefit is that discipline-centric details are usually contained under the one clause (Clause 8 – Operation). It may be necessary in some cases for other areas to contain these details. A great example of this is the environmental risk register for ISO 14001 which is under Clause 6 -Planning.

Risk Based Approach

Perhaps the most significant feature of Annex SL is the move towards risk-based management systems.

Planning for Risks and Opportunities is provided in subclauses of Clause 6, and introduces a new approach to management systems which can be aligned to ISO 31000:2018 – although this is not mandatory.

Which ISO Standards use Annex SL?

Most Management System Standards that have been released or updated since 2011 are using Annex SL as the basis for their structure.

Which ISO Standards can I get certified with ABAC®?

At Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC®) Center of Excellence, we offer ISO certification and training that enable companies to grow sustainably, so they can mitigate risks while becoming more attractive to investors. Our portfolio of solutions includes five ISO standards:

Integration is now seamless thanks to the Annex SL high-level structure. Annex SL-based Standards share a similar structure of 10 clauses, which makes it much easier to see the similarities and shared processes of each Standard.

Coordinate multiple business operations with just one system: Integrated Management Systems (IMS)?

Discover how to demonstrate Corporate Compliance Programme with an Integrated Management Systems including: ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems | ISO 37301:2021 Compliance Management Systems | ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management Systems
Integrated Management Systems (IMS) merges your ISO management processes into one convenient system, reducing hassle, cutting waste and refining compliance. With pre-defined processes and procedures, it gives businesses like yours a helping hand in achieving best practices for quality, environmental impact, occupational health and safety, and many more.

You can easily coordinate multiple business operations with just one system to oversee, saving time and unnecessary work. This will positively impact your efficiency by boosting output through fewer processes and maximising the use of your internal resources. By conducting one audit and one management review, you can save time and money, and senior staff can move on to other essential tasks. In other words, it’s a time-saver as well as a money-maker.

What are the benefits of an IMS?

Management systems with common points, tasks and processes can be combined and managed as one for streamlined efficiency. But what boost can this give your business?

Performance: Push your business with improved management processes. With streamlined procedures and continual improvement, your business can benefit from better quality, improved health and safety and increased productivity.
Streamlined management: Take advantage of aligned objectives and processes and tackle them simultaneously for streamlined efficiency.
Faster Implementation: With just one system, you can develop and implement new management systems in far less time, allowing you to start reaping the rewards of greater efficiency more quickly.
Co-operation and coordination: Coordinate your efforts towards continual improvement and use your multiple Standards to support your company’s growth.
Cost-effective solution: Shared tasks and processes mean the cost of implementing and maintaining your system could positively affect your costs. By conducting just one audit and one management review, you can save time and money.
Consistency: Integrating your systems strips away complexity. It will make common business goals stand out and give your business clearer, more defined objectives for success. You can make your procedures more logical and coherent with aligned systems and shared processes.

About ABAC®

Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC®) Center of Excellence is an independent certification body that provides education and certification services for individuals and organisations on a wide range of disciplines and ISO standards, including:

ABAC® offers a complete suite of solutions designed to help organisations mitigate the internal and external risks associated with operating in multi-jurisdiction and multi-cultural environments while assisting in the development of frameworks for strategic compliance programs.

ABAC® is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS CB number: 10613) against ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies providing audit and Certification of the scheme’s management systems of ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS). This makes ABAC® Certification the leading accreditated certification body specialising in global anti-bribery and anti-corruption, risk and compliance management system standards. ABAC® experts audit any existing compliance and anti-bribery anti-corruption management systems to assess effectiveness and vulnerabilities while ensuring your organisation complies with Internal Standards, FCPA, UK Bribery Act, Anti-Money Laundering regulations, and all other global, regional and local regulations while maintaining a competitive edge in the world marketplace.

If you are seeking to validate or expand your existing compliance frameworks to maintain a competitive edge in the world marketplace, ABAC® can help you. Our experts audit your existing compliance and anti-bribery anti-corruption management systems to assess effectiveness and vulnerabilities while ensuring your organisation complies with Internal Standards, FCPA rules, UK Bribery Act laws, Anti-Money Laundering regulations, and all other global, regional and local regulations.

Polices

ISO 37001Anti-Bribery Management Systems

ISO 37002 Whistleblowing Management Systems

ISO 37301 Training Compliance Management Systems