What is ISO 56001?
ISO 56001:2024 is the newly released international standard that specifies the requirements for establishing and improving an Innovation Management System (IMS). Designed for organizations of all types and sizes, this standard enables systematic innovation processes that align with strategy, and deliver value across products or services.
ISO 56001 offers a formal framework for embedding innovation capability across departments, leadership, and partnerships. The 2024 release introduces rigorous structures for managing innovation governance, risk, measurement, and continual improvement—making it the world’s most comprehensive management system for innovation excellence.
Need help getting ISO 56001 certified? Contact us at support@pacificcert.com.
Scope and Applicability
ISO 56001 is applicable to:
- Startups and SMEs scaling new ideas and products
- Large enterprises managing structured R&D portfolios
- Government agencies and public service innovators
- Academic and research institutions
- NGOs and social enterprises developing mission-aligned innovations
The standard supports organizations in all sectors, regardless of innovation maturity level. Whether you’re launching a product or reinventing business models, ISO 56001 ensures that your innovation system is repeatable and strategically aligned.
ISO 56001 is a certifiable standard under the ISO high-level structure (Annex SL), allowing organizations to gain third-party certification of their innovation management system.
Key Steps in Certification:
- Gap Assessment – Analyze current innovation processes and culture
- Scope Definition – Identify innovation domains, stakeholders, and leadership roles
- System Design – Develop a policy, strategic objectives, governance framework, and innovation metrics
- Implementation – Train teams, apply methods (design thinking, TRIZ, etc.), and launch initiatives
- Internal Audit & Management Review – Evaluate system maturity, impact, and compliance
- Third-Party Audit – Certification body conducts external audit and issues ISO 56001 certification
We support organizations through every phase, email us at support@pacificcert.com to get started.
How to Implement ISO 56001?
Implementing ISO 56001 involves establishing a structured Innovation Management System (IMS) that aligns with an organization’s strategic objectives and fosters a culture of innovation. Below are the steps to follow:
- Understand ISO 56001 requirements to align innovation with strategic goals.
- Secure top management support to foster an innovation-driven culture.
- Define the scope of the IMS based on organizational needs and boundaries.
- Analyze internal and external context to identify influencing factors and stakeholders.
- Establish an innovation policy that guides objectives and actions.
- Assign roles and responsibilities to manage and support innovation initiatives.
- Develop structured processes for identifying and managing innovation opportunities.
- Integrate innovation into business operations and decision-making processes.
- Monitor innovation performance using key metrics and indicators.
- Manage risks and knowledge assets related to innovation activities.
- Conduct internal audits and reviews to ensure effectiveness and improvement.
- Prepare for external certification if pursuing formal recognition.
Need a customized certification roadmap ISO 56001 across your organization? Contact support@pacificcert.com!
Documentation Required
ISO 56001 requires organizations to maintain documentation that demonstrates:
- Innovation policy and strategy
- Innovation objectives and planning records
- Roles, responsibilities, and team structures
- Innovation processes and decision-making frameworks
- Portfolio and pipeline management systems
- Risk registers for innovation-related uncertainty
- Performance measurement and impact evaluation reports
- Internal audit findings and improvement records
Eligibility Criteria
ISO 56001 can be adopted by any organization that:
- Seeks to formalize and improve innovation performance
- Operates in competitive, dynamic, or technology-driven environments
- Is aiming to commercialize R&D or intellectual capital
- Wants to embed innovation into corporate culture
- Seeks to demonstrate innovation capability to investors, regulators, or clients
Still unsure if your organization qualifies? Contact support@pacificcert.com for a readiness assessment!
Certification Costs
ISO 56001 certification costs are based on:
- Size and complexity of the organization
- Number of departments or locations involved
- Existing innovation systems and governance maturity
- Documentation and training needs
- Timeline for implementation and audit
We offer customized quotations based on your scope and needs. Contact us at support@pacificcert.com.
Certification Timeline
Week | Activities |
Week 1 | Innovation audit, gap assessment, and stakeholder engagement |
Week 2 | Policy development, governance setup, and objective alignment |
Week 3 | Innovation process documentation and pilot planning |
Week 4 | Training, awareness, and internal system deployment |
Week 5 | Internal audit and management review |
Week 6 | Third-party certification audit |
Clauses of ISO 56001 – Explained
Clause No. | Clause Title | Description |
1 | Scope | Defines the purpose and applicability of the Innovation Management System to enhance innovation capability and performance. |
2 | Normative References | Lists referenced documents indispensable for the application of this standard (typically none specified). |
3 | Terms and Definitions | Provides definitions for terms such as innovation, innovation management system, uncertainty, knowledge, and opportunity. |
4 | Context of the Organization | Requires understanding internal and external factors, stakeholder expectations, and defining the scope of the IMS. |
5 | Leadership | Specifies top management’s role in establishing innovation policy, roles, responsibilities, and fostering a culture of innovation. |
6 | Planning | Covers risk and opportunity identification, innovation objectives, planning actions, and alignment with strategic direction. |
7 | Support | Addresses the resources, competence, awareness, communication, and documentation required to enable innovation processes. |
8 | Operation | Details planning, implementing, and controlling innovation processes and activities, including idea management and realization of value. |
9 | Performance Evaluation | Describes how to monitor, measure, analyze, and evaluate innovation performance, including internal audits and management review. |
10 | Improvement | Focuses on nonconformity handling, corrective actions, and continual improvement of the Innovation Management System. |
What are the requirements of ISO 56001?
The requirements of ISO 56001 are designed to help organizations systematically develop and manage innovation capabilities. Key requirements of the standard include:
- Developing a formal Innovation Policy supported by top management
- Defining objectives for innovation aligned with strategic direction
- Establishing roles and responsibilities for innovation leaders and teams
- Managing a structured portfolio of innovation initiatives
- Conducting risk assessments specific to innovation uncertainty
- Ensuring access to competencies, collaboration platforms, and knowledge
- Measuring innovation performance and impact metrics
- Maintaining records of audits, feedback, and improvements
- Embedding a system for continuous improvement based on data-driven insights
We help turn these requirements into practical systems, contact support@pacificcert.com.
What are the benefits of ISO 56001?
The benefits of implementing ISO 56001:2024 are substantial for organizations to enhance their innovation performance. By adopting this standard, organizations can foster a consistent and repeatable approach to identifying opportunities and transforming them into valuable outcomes. Below are the key benefits:
- Provides a clear structure to make innovation intentional, repeatable, and scalable.
- Enables faster market adaptation, product differentiation, and customer relevance.
- Promotes a disciplined approach to managing uncertainty, experimentation, and failure.
- Fosters a unified innovation culture across R&D, marketing, operations, and leadership.
- Demonstrates a proactive innovation ecosystem, attracting skilled professionals and funding partners.
- Supports sustainable and inclusive innovation aligned with global priorities.
- Improves conversion rates from ideas to market-ready solutions, ensuring value creation.
- Establishes credibility with partners, clients, and regulators through certified innovation governance.
Recently, innovation has become a strategic imperative across all sectors. According to the Global Innovation Index, organizations with structured innovation systems deliver 30–50% more successful product launches and outperform peers in customer retention and growth.
ISO 56001 arrives at a critical time. As AI, sustainability, digitalization, and customer personalization reshape industries, this standard enables organizations to manage innovation as a disciplined, integrated business function.
Governments and global supply chains are increasingly requesting innovation performance metrics. ISO 56001 provides a unified language for communicating innovation maturity and aligning with ESG, R&D funding, and smart city initiatives.
Want to align your innovation efforts with global trends and frameworks? Contact support@pacificcert.com
How Pacific Certifications Can Help?
We offer complete support for ISO 56001:2024 including:
- Innovation readiness assessments
- Audit & certification
- Training workshops and culture assessments
- Surveillance audits
- Recertification
Whether you’re a startup or a global enterprise, we help you embed ISO 56001 effectively and affordably. Begin your ISO 56001 innovation journey today. Contact us at support@pacificcert.com!
FAQ on ISO 56001
Is ISO 56001 certifiable?
Yes, it is a certifiable innovation management system standard.
Can startups use this standard?
Yes, ISO 56001 is scalable and suitable for startups, SMEs, and large organizations.
What’s the difference between ISO 56002 and ISO 56001?
ISO 56002 offers guidance; ISO 56001 contains formal, certifiable requirements.
Is ISO 56001 only for product innovation?
No, it applies to services, business models, processes, and organizational innovations.
Can it integrate with ISO 9001 or 27001?
Yes, it follows Annex SL and integrates seamlessly.
Ready to get ISO 56001 certified?
Contact Pacific Certifications to begin your certification journey today!
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