• Top management must have full commitment or even hands-on involvement in all phases of the integration process (especially for smaller companies). Also, management reviews must be regular.
• Appoint a champion for your EMS or IMS, who will be in charge of the implementation and maintenance of the system. Give this person the authority and resources to get cooperation from other colleagues.
• Educate and motivate your staff. Provide appropriate and sufficient training. Organise green activities (eg competition, site visits) to raise awareness. Make it fun!
• Establish a fast reporting system across the organisation so that information reaches the management quickly. Any changes or decisions made by the top management related to the management system(s) can lead to the drawing up of prompt improvement plans.
• With better communication and training employees will be less resistant to changes resulting from the integration of the systems, and this in turn results in a smooth implementation of the system.
• Companies should have a formal long-term 'strategic plan' in order to minimise vertical communication gaps within the company that could cause resistance and delays in the completion of integration.
• If you hire external consultants, make sure your employees work closely with them. Consultants can give advice on how to integrate in a more effective way due to their knowledge, while employees will know the company culture and practices better than external consultants.
• Identify and analyse customer requirements (for ISO 9001), legal and other requirements (for almost all management systems), environmental aspects and impacts (for ISO 14001), workplace hazards and risks (for OHSAS 18001), and food hazards (for HACCP) at the same time in a holistic manner.
• Be aware of time-delays in integration due to differences in the understanding and implementation of an integrated system within departments. Set up a realistic timetable.
• Integrate similar procedures across different management systems (eg for document control, internal audit, corrective actions, management review) to avoid duplication and confusion.
• Find a certification body (CB), which is experienced and knowledgeable enough in IMS audit with IMS-ready supporting services.

Download a sample audit checklist