There is no single set of ISO certifications that applies to every supplier serving foreign direct investment (FDI) companies. The right standards depend on the products or services the supplier provides, customer requirements, operational risks, and industry-specific requirements.

Instead of choosing ISO standards simply because they are popular, companies need to identify which requirements actually apply to their operations. This article helps suppliers narrow down the standards they should review and set the right priorities.

What Do FDI Companies Usually Require from Suppliers?

Before looking at ISO standards, suppliers need to understand what their FDI customers assess. Requirements often vary according to the type of product or service the supplier provides.

Suppliers should not assume that one widely used standard will satisfy every customer requirement. They need to determine which requirements actually apply to their activities.

What Requirements Should Suppliers Identify Before Choosing an ISO Standard?

Customers may include supplier requirements in many different documents. They may not always refer to a specific ISO standard by name. Before selecting a standard, companies should review four key areas:

These four areas help suppliers define what they need to address and determine which standards deserve priority.

Which ISO Standard Should My Company Prioritize?

The right priority does not depend on industry alone. Companies need to consider what they supply, what risks their activities create for the customer, and what conditions the customer sets for suppliers.

The table below helps companies identify which standards to review first. It can also prevent them from implementing several ISO standards that they may not actually need.

Case 1. Manufacturers, Processors, and Suppliers of Raw Materials or Components

This group includes companies that manufacture raw materials, packaging, components, semi-finished goods, or finished products. Their products often enter the customer’s production process directly. As a result, suppliers need to maintain consistent input quality, technical specifications, and delivery performance.

When customers ask suppliers to demonstrate effective quality control, ISO 9001 often deserves the highest priority. The standard focuses on process control, nonconformity management, and change management.
Companies may also consider ISO 14001 when customers set environmental requirements or when operations create significant environmental impacts. ISO 45001 may apply when work activities involve significant occupational health and safety risks. Companies only need to integrate all three standards when these requirements arise together.

Case 2. Operational, Logistics, or On-Site Technical Service Providers

This group includes transportation companies, warehouses, freight forwarders, industrial cleaning contractors, maintenance providers, installers, repair companies, on-site processors, and contractors working at customer facilities.

Customers often assess service quality, schedules, work records, and compliance with site rules.
Companies should prioritize ISO 9001 when customers focus on service quality or incident handling. They should also consider ISO 45001 when work involves occupational risks or when employees work at customer sites.
Companies only need to review ISO 14001 when their activities create significant environmental impacts or when the customer sets specific environmental requirements.

Case 3. IT, Software, or Data-Processing Service Providers

This group includes software companies, system administrators, data storage providers, outsourced design companies, and service providers that access customer drawings, product information, or IT systems.

Companies should prioritize ISO/IEC 27001 when customers require information security, access control, technical data protection, or system availability. If customers also require service quality control, incident management, and continual improvement, companies may consider ISO 9001 as well.

Note: Companies only need to consider ISO 50001 when customers require them to manage or improve energy performance.
ISO 22301 may become more relevant when customers want suppliers to demonstrate business continuity, especially when the customer cannot easily replace the supplier’s product or service.

When Do Suppliers Need Industry-Specific Standards or Carbon Requirements?

In addition to the management system standards above, companies should review any requirements that relate to their industry, products, or professional activities. They also need to check whether customers request greenhouse gas (GHG) or carbon data.

1. Industry-, Product-, or Activity-Specific Requirements

Testing and calibration

These standards and requirements do not apply to every FDI supplier. Companies need to identify the exact product, their role in the supply chain, and the customer’s conditions before implementation.

2. When Customers Request GHG or Carbon Data

Customers may ask for organization-level emissions data, product carbon footprint data, or verification of GHG statements. Companies need to distinguish between these requirements before choosing the right method or standard.

• Organization-level GHG inventory or emissions data: review the requirements of ISO 14064-1
• Product carbon footprint: review the requirements of ISO 14067.
• Verification of GHG statements: review ISO 14064-3 or the requirements of the applicable verification program.

These standards do not function as management system certifications in the same way as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or ISO 45001. Companies therefore need to identify the exact type of data that customers require and the level of verification they expect.

How Should Suppliers Prioritize Multiple Requirements?

When customers set several requirements at the same time, suppliers should establish a clear order of priority rather than trying to address everything at once.

1. Mandatory Requirements

Companies should first address requirements linked to laws and regulations, industry rules, contractual obligations, supplier requirements, and customer approval criteria.

If the customer specifies a deadline, scope, or certification condition, the supplier should place that requirement at the top of its implementation plan.

2. Requirements Linked Directly to Key Operational Risks

Sau yêu cầu bắt buộc, doanh nghiệp nên ưu tiên nội dung có ảnh hưởng trực tiếp đến chất lượng, an toàn, môi trường, bảo mật hoặc khả năng thực hiện dịch vụ đối với khách hàng.

Suppliers should base their priorities on the products or services they provide and the actual risks involved. They should not apply the same sequence to every supplier.

3. Additional Supply Chain Requirements

Companies should prioritize energy, GHG, carbon, or business continuity requirements when the customer, corporate group, or supply chain specifically asks for them.

In these cases, companies may need to review ISO 50001, ISO 14064-1, ISO 14067, or ISO 22301, depending on the required scope.

Suppliers do not need to chase a large number of certificates. They should address mandatory requirements first, then the direct risks associated with their activities, and finally any additional customer or supply chain requirements.

Checklist for FDI Suppliers Before Applying for ISO Certification

Before applying for an audit or certification, companies should clarify the following points:

• Which standard does the customer require?
• Does the customer require certification, or only the implementation of a management system?
• Which version of the standard does the customer accept?
• Which legal entity or site must fall within the required scope?
• Does the certification scope cover the products or services the company actually supplies?
• What deadline has the customer set?
• Does the customer set specific requirements for the certification body or accreditation?

Not sure which standard your FDI customer requires?
If your company has received supplier requirements, an RFQ, an assessment checklist, or a certification request but still cannot determine the required scope, contact ARES Vietnam to learn more about the assessment scope, certification process, and applicable requirements.

• Hotline: 085.3858.553
• Email: service@aresvietnam.vn

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