The results of the ISO Survey 2025, the annual survey conducted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to assess the worldwide distribution of management system certifications, have been published.
The survey, covering accredited certifications valid as of 31 December 2025, examines 18 international standards and provides an overview of the adoption of management systems across organizations worldwide.
Overall, the survey records more than 3.2 million accredited certificates worldwide. Considering the 16 standards already included in the previous edition, the comparison with 2024 shows a 10.9% increase in the number of certificates recorded.
This result highlights the widespread adoption of international standards as tools for improving business organization, managing risks and strengthening market confidence.
ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001: The Most Widely Adopted Certifications
ISO 9001 for quality management systems remains the most widely adopted standard internationally, with 1,611,729 certificates covering more than 2.4 million certified sites.
In second place is ISO 14001 for environmental management, with 739,390 certificates and over 1.2 million sites, followed by ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety, which reaches 599,532 certificates and exceeds one million sites.
These three standards account for the largest share of management system certifications worldwide, confirming the central role of quality, environmental management and occupational health and safety in organizational strategies.
Alongside these standards, certifications relating to information security, food safety, energy efficiency and corporate governance are also becoming increasingly relevant.
ISO Survey 2025 Figures: Comparison with 2024
The comparison between the two editions shows an increase in the number of certificates recorded for all major standards.
| Standard | Certificates 2025 | Change 2024–2025 |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001 – Quality management | 1,611,729 | +9.3% |
| ISO 14001 – Environmental management | 739,390 | +9.3% |
| ISO 45001 – Occupational health and safety | 599,532 | +10.5% |
| ISO/IEC 27001 – Information security | 125,622 | +29.9% |
| ISO 22000 – Food safety | 68,271 | +14.7% |
| ISO 50001 – Energy management | 47,394 | +23.2% |
| ISO 13485 – Medical devices | 36,522 | +17.0% |
| ISO/IEC 20000-1 – IT service management | 29,629 | +8.4% |
| ISO 37001 – Anti-bribery management | 18,449 | +85.4% |
| ISO 22301 – Business continuity | 6,282 | +36.7% |
Source: ISO Survey 2024 and ISO Survey 2025. Percentage changes calculated on the number of certificates recorded.
Cybersecurity, Energy Management and Anti-Bribery: The Most Significant Increases
Among the most noteworthy findings of the ISO Survey 2025 are the increases in certifications relating to risk management, information security and corporate governance.
ISO/IEC 27001, the international standard for information security management systems, records a 29.9% increase, rising from 96,709 to 125,622 certificates. This is particularly significant at a time when cybersecurity and data protection are becoming increasingly important priorities for businesses.
The increase in ISO 50001 for energy management is also noteworthy, reaching 47,394 certificates, up 23.2% compared with 2024. The standard supports organizations in improving energy performance and systematically managing energy consumption, contributing to efficiency and sustainability objectives.
In the agri-food sector, ISO 22000 for food safety management reaches 68,271 certificates, representing a 14.7% increase, confirming the importance of management systems in controlling risks throughout the food supply chain.
A particularly sharp increase is recorded for ISO 37001 for anti-bribery management, which rises from 9,952 to 18,449 certificates, an 85.4% increase.
ISO 22301 for business continuity management also records substantial growth, increasing by 36.7% to more than 6,200 certificates.
These results highlight the growing attention being paid to management tools that support organizations in preventing risks, ensuring business continuity and strengthening internal control systems.
Artificial Intelligence and Compliance Included in the ISO Survey
One of the main developments in the 2025 edition is the inclusion of two additional international standards covering artificial intelligence and compliance.
ISO/IEC 42001:2023, the first international standard for artificial intelligence management systems, records 271 certificates and 572 certified sites.
The standard provides organizations with a framework for developing, using and managing artificial intelligence systems according to principles of responsibility, transparency and risk management.
ISO 37301:2021, dedicated to compliance management systems, records 1,018 certificates and 1,468 sites. The standard supports organizations in identifying and managing compliance obligations, promoting a corporate culture based on integrity and accountability.
The inclusion of these standards in the ISO Survey extends the scope of the survey to two areas of growing importance for businesses, where management systems can help organizations address regulatory and technological complexity.
An Increasingly Comprehensive Survey Thanks to IAF CertSearch
Another significant aspect of the ISO Survey 2025 concerns its data collection methodology.
Since the 2024 edition, the survey has been compiled primarily using IAF CertSearch, the international database of accredited management system certifications.
In the 2025 survey, 80 of the 81 accreditation bodies within the scope of the survey participated, while 2,574 certification bodies contribute to the IAF CertSearch platform.
Data collection was also supplemented by additional sources, including UKAS CertCheck, to improve the representativeness of the results across different countries.
However, ISO points out that data coverage is not yet completely uniform and that some certifications may not be included in the survey.
Changes compared with 2024 should therefore be interpreted taking into account developments in statistical coverage, which may affect comparisons between the two editions.
Certification: A Strategic Tool for Business Competitiveness
The results of the ISO Survey 2025 confirm the role of certified management systems as tools for organizational management, control and performance improvement.
From quality and occupational health and safety to environmental sustainability, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence management, international standards provide businesses with shared frameworks for addressing organizational, technological and regulatory challenges.
Accredited certification also enables organizations to have their management systems independently assessed, strengthening the confidence of customers, business partners and stakeholders.
In an increasingly complex competitive environment, certification represents not only a means of demonstrating compliance with recognized requirements, but also an investment in organizational capability, risk management and continual improvement.
Source: ISO – The ISO Survey of Management System Standard Certifications – 2025, October 2026.