Delivering assurance and operational excellence
For Serco, certification to key ISO standards is not just a regulatory requirement but an integral component of its operational strategy. Given the nature of its work with government clients, certification is often embedded as a contractual necessity. ISO management system standards provide a structured framework to support critical operational goals, ensuring consistency and compliance across services.
Achieving certification with LRQA delivers tangible benefits, including:
- Customer confidence – Successful certification offers customers and regulators greater assurance that services will be delivered effectively, consistently, and to the required standards.
- Differentiator – Serco’s ISO 55001:2014 certification for a broad range of Asset Management Services (AMS) is now a key differentiator for future opportunities.
- Cost savings – Consolidating ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, and ISO 55001 certifications has delivered cost savings and reduced duplication of documentation and processes.
Streamlining Certification Processes Through Consolidation
As a large organisation delivering diverse government services across the Asia Pacific region, Serco’s certification process was historically complex, involving separate providers and duplicated effort. Recognising the need to standardise and certify these management systems, Serco embarked on a project to streamline and simplify its 9001, 45001, 14001, 55001 ISO certification programme.
Serco conducted a rigorous procurement process and selected LRQA due to LRQA’s specific expertise in complex consolidations for multi-sector clients. The consolidation took three years, with LRQA supporting Serco at every step.
Standards Transition — 27001 (Traffic Camera Services)
Serco’s Traffic Camera Services contract recently transitioned from ISO 27001:2013 to ISO 27001:2022. The process was smooth, aided by a lead auditor familiar with the contract and operational objectives.
LRQA provided an experienced and knowledgeable lead auditor who understood Serco’s operational processes.
Environmental commitment, sustainability and enhancing energy efficiency
Serco remains committed to environmental sustainability, with ISO 14001 certification playing a pivotal role in demonstrating transparency and progress against its sustainability objectives. This certification provides a structured framework to ensure environmental management processes meet the highest standards, reinforcing Serco’s ability to win contracts and assure clients of its commitment to sustainable operations.
ISO 50001 certification provides Serco with a framework to evaluate and prioritise improvements in energy consumption. This has been particularly relevant in Serco’s operation of the state-of-the-art research and resupply vessel, and Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina. The ship offers scientists unprecedented and extended access to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica for research purposes, monitoring climate change impacts on ice and weather patterns. The impact of ISO 50001 on broader net-zero objectives is analysis and management of energy efficiency and conservation by optimising use to reduce consumption.
How LRQA and SERCO worked together
- As a multinational organisation operating across Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong, it was crucial for Serco to partner with a globally recognised certification body.
- LRQA’s extensive expertise across various standards, combined with its worldwide reputation, ensures that Serco’s certification requirements align with global best practices.
- This partnership enhances credibility with customers and regulators, particularly in cases where clients require approval of the certification body.
- Additionally, LRQA’s extensive network of auditors provides invaluable insight and experience, further strengthening Serco’s assurance processes.
LRQA’s assessment teams have demonstrated expertise, strong communication skills, and a proactive approach in understanding Serco’s operations, ensuring that the certification process adds value beyond compliance.
