On March 17, 2026, ISO published the IMG-PG to manage one or more MSS to support performance, meet stakeholder needs and expectations, and drive continual improvement.
Supporting integration in the development and use of management system standards
Following the work of JTCG/TF16, ISO has published the Integrated Management System – A practical guide (IMS-PG). This document will help organizations use multiple management system standards (MSS) to build a unified, effective, and coherent integrated management system.
Concise and action-oriented, the IMS-PG distills the integration process into three intuitive steps — Prepare, Connect, Integrate. With practical checklists, reusable tools, and real-world case studies drawn from organizations of all sizes and sectors, it turns integration from a conceptual challenge into a manageable, value-added process.
The IMS-PG also demonstrates how an integrated management system helps organizations reduce duplication, streamline processes, and strengthen overall system performance by using ISO MSS.
Benefits for your TC/SC/PC
For TC/SC/PC developing MSS, the IMS-PG provides valuable insight into how end users apply them in practice. Understanding how organizations integrate multiple management systems into a single system can help develop clearer, more interoperable MSS and reinforce the practical value of your committee's work.
TC/SC/PC responsible for management system standards are encouraged to promote the IMS-PG within their working groups: it serves as a key reference to raise awareness of the importance of integrating management systems, highlight its value, support user-focused development, and ensure the ISO MSS portfolio meets evolving market needs.
Learning more about the IMS PG
Dr. Frank Herdmann, a member of JTCG/TF16, and the Chair of the JTCG, Dr. Suzanne D. Van Hove, discussed the new document and its relevance to fostering the integration of management system standards in an interview available here.
Procuring the IMS-PG
The IMS-PG is available through the ISO Store and your National Bodies.
Questions ?
The JTCG Leadership team is at your disposal to provide additional information and answer questions related to the IMS-PG.