When it comes to the safety of your business and employees, you want to make sure you take every possible measure you can. There are government agencies that set required standards and you want to make sure you meet those at minimum. However, there are also organizations that set standards that you can voluntarily follow. These standards, while not required, can do a lot to make your business safer.
ISO
The International Organization for Standardization is a globally recognized non-government organization that sets standards for businesses. Some are specific to different types of businesses while other standards can be applied to any industry. You can voluntarily follow these standards in order to better your business and you can even receive certification for following these standards. Some generic standards include having a risk management plan or following the standards set to strengthen cybersecurity. There are many ISO standards you can review and you can determine which ones are applicable to your business practices. If your business accepts credit cards, you should also consider Cyber Liability Insurance.
ANSI
Much like ISO, ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is a private organization that manages standards for businesses. This organization is centered in the United States, but it does have a global impact. ANSI makes coordinating international standards possible for global businesses. Many ANSI standards are often promoted overseas. It’s important to note that ANSI does not make standards itself. Instead, committees will set standards and ANSI will approve them and make sure they are communicated across the nation. This ensures that everyone is following the same standards. Once a standard is proposed, it must be approved by the public and all concerns must be addressed before the standard is officially approved. Adopting ANSI standards can help to improve both the safety and efficiency of your business.
ACI, NISO, and NIST
While there are organizations that set general standards, there are also organizations based in the U.S. that apply to specific industries. ACI, the American Concrete Institute, was established in order to standardize processes related to laying concrete. This helped make sure all concrete layers were doing the same work across the nation. The National Information Standards Organization, NISO, focuses on standards for publishing, literature, media and library applications. It also creates standards for training programs and education. NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology is used in physical science industries and standardizes their practices.
Depending on your business, there are a variety of voluntary standards you can follow. You can look into general standards that are set or you can explore industry specific standards. Following these voluntary standards can help improve the safety of your business. To ensure that your business is properly insured, contact the Florida Business Insurance experts at Harris Insurance here.
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LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Views expressed here do not constitute legal advice. The information contained herein is for general guidance of matter only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Discussion of insurance policy language is descriptive only. Every policy has different policy language. Coverage afforded under any insurance policy issued is subject to individual policy terms and conditions. Please refer to your policy for the actual language.
