Does an integrated audit save audit time?

Often, yes. How much depends on the level of integration and is determined by the certification body – based, among other things, on IAF MD 11.

Which standards can be audited together?

All standards with the Harmonized Structure, for example ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001 and ISO 27001.

Does the management system have to be integrated?

For a true integrated audit, yes. If the systems are separate, usually only a combined audit is possible – at the same time, but side by side.

Deutsche Version

Integrated audit – several standards, one audit

In an integrated audit, several management system standards are audited together. This saves time for auditors and auditees alike – provided the management system itself is built in an integrated way.

Start the free maturity check Explore IMScheck PRO

BETALaunch phase: IMScheck PRO is free until Jan 1, 2027 – full version, full security.

How IMScheck supports integrated audits

One audit collection for several standards: shared requirements are checked once.
Checklists combining items from several standards, maintained centrally.
Findings and actions go into one shared improvement process – not separate lists per standard.
Progress per standard remains visible separately on the dashboard.

Combined or integrated audit?

In a combined audit, several standards are audited at the same time but largely side by side. An integrated audit looks at an integrated management system as a whole: shared elements such as policy, objectives, internal audit or management review are audited once for all standards.

For certification bodies, the document IAF MD 11 describes when a management system counts as integrated and how the level of integration can affect audit time.

Prerequisites

Typical features of an integrated system are shared documentation and responsibilities, a joint internal audit programme and a joint management review. The higher the level of integration, the greater the potential savings.

Integrated audits with IMScheck

An audit is a collection that can hold checklists for several standards. Audit items can be mapped to clauses.

Findings are classified consistently and turned into actions; each action can be linked to several standards.

Because IMScheck manages shared requirements only once as a task, your management system is integrated from the start. All data is stored in the EU (Frankfurt) – a clear advantage for organisations subject to the GDPR.

Frequently asked questions

Does an integrated audit save audit time?: Often, yes. How much depends on the level of integration and is determined by the certification body – based, among other things, on IAF MD 11.
Which standards can be audited together?: All standards with the Harmonized Structure, for example ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001 and ISO 27001.
Does the management system have to be integrated?: For a true integrated audit, yes. If the systems are separate, usually only a combined audit is possible – at the same time, but side by side.