ISO 56001 vs ISO 56002: what is the difference?
ISO 56001 (2024) is a certifiable requirements standard, while ISO 56002 (2019) was a guidance document with recommendations only. ISO 56001 specifies what an Innovation Management System must contain to be auditable; ISO 56002 explained how to approach innovation management without setting certifiable requirements.
Both standards belong to the ISO 56000 family on innovation management, but they serve different purposes. ISO 56002:2019 was published as a guidance document, a non-certifiable reference with recommendations on how organizations could approach innovation management. It used 'should' language throughout and did not specify auditable requirements.
ISO 56001:2024 replaced ISO 56002 as the certifiable reference. It uses 'shall' language to specify mandatory requirements and follows the Annex SL high-level structure used by ISO 9001 and ISO 27001. Organizations can be certified against ISO 56001 by accredited certification bodies; they could not be certified against ISO 56002.
The structural difference matters in practice: ISO 56001 demands documented information, internal audit, management review, nonconformity treatment, and continual improvement as auditable artifacts. ISO 56002 described these activities but left their implementation entirely at the organization's discretion.
ISO 56002 has not been withdrawn. It remains available as supporting guidance for organizations that want a less formal approach or that are preparing for ISO 56001 certification. However, when procurement frameworks or funding bodies reference ISO compliance for innovation, they now point to ISO 56001.
Related Information
- ISO 56001 was published in 2024; ISO 56002 was published in 2019.
- ISO 56001 is certifiable; ISO 56002 is guidance only.
- Both are part of the ISO 56000 family.
- ISO 56001 uses Annex SL structure for compatibility with ISO 9001 and ISO 27001.
- ISO 56002 remains valid as supporting guidance; it has not been withdrawn.
Expert Insight
Organizations that built their innovation framework around ISO 56002 between 2019 and 2024 should treat ISO 56001 transition as an audit readiness exercise rather than a complete redesign. Most ISO 56002 practices map directly to ISO 56001 clauses with stricter evidence requirements.
The biggest gaps usually appear in clause 7 (documented information) and clause 9 (internal audit and management review), where ISO 56001 requires verifiable artifacts that ISO 56002 only suggested.
“ISO 56001 specifies certifiable requirements; ISO 56002 provides guidance.”
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What is ISO 56001?
ISO 56001 is an international standard published in 2024 by ISO/TC 279 that specifies the requirements for an Innovation Management System (IMS). It provides organizations with a certifiable governance framework to plan, implement, monitor, and improve innovation activities aligned with strategic objectives.
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How to implement ISO 56001 in an organization
Implementing ISO 56001 follows seven phases: analyze organizational context, define IMS scope, establish innovation policy and strategy, identify innovation opportunities and risks, configure operational controls and documented information, run monitoring and internal audit cycles, and address findings through continual improvement. The PECB IMS2 Methodology structures these phases into an auditable sequence.
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ISO 56001 is an international standard published in 2024 by ISO/TC 279 that specifies the requirements for an Innovation Management System (IMS). It provides organizations with a certifiable governance framework to plan, implement, monitor, and improve innovation activities aligned with strategic objectives.
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