In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess is joined by Ben Moulds, Risk, Assurance & Compliance Manager at Whistl, one of the UK’s leading logistics companies. Whistl recently completed its first year of outsourced internal audits across five ISO standards, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, ISO 45001, and ISO 50001, all certified with UKAS-accredited certification body LRQA.

Ben shares Whistl’s ISO journey, starting with their initial certifications and moving towards the challenge of managing multiple standards across the business. He explains how the company navigated change within their management systems, the benefits of holding multiple certifications, and how working with ISO consultants has supported their success.

The conversation also goes beyond the certificates themselves, highlighting the real-world benefits ISO management systems bring to organisations, from greater efficiency to building resilience and trust. Ben also shares his top tips for managing multiple ISO certifications, offering practical advice for organisations looking to streamline and strengthen their compliance programmes.

Contact Assent:

• Website: www.assent1.com
• Email: desk@assent1.com

Connect with Assent:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentuk
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQ
• Instagram: @assentriskmanagement

Contact Ben:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-moulds-09118a41/

Contact Whistl:

• Website: https://www.whistl.co.uk/

In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess is joined by Robert Low, founder and lead developer of ApexGlobal Quality, to explore ISO 22716, the international standard for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in the cosmetics industry. With 16 years of experience in personal care and household sectors and credentials as a lead auditor in ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22716, and BRCGS CP, Rob brings deep industry insight and practical knowledge to the conversation.

Rob provides a clear overview of ISO 22716, explaining how it supports product safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. He breaks down the key benefits of implementing the standard, the difference between ISO 22716 and traditional GMP, and the types of companies and supply chains that commonly require certification.

We also address the question of relevance. ISO 22716 hasn’t been updated since 2007. Rob shares his perspective on how the standard holds up in today’s market and explains why he developed his own, more current standard to better meet the evolving needs of the industry.

Whether you’re a cosmetics manufacturer, part of the supply chain, or simply curious about international quality standards, this episode offers expert guidance and practical takeaways.

Contact Assent:

• Website: www.assent1.com
• Email: desk@assent1.com

Connect with Assent:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentuk
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQ
• Instagram: @assentriskmanagement

Contact Rob:

In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess is joined by Michael Venner, CEO of Auva Certification, to discuss what organisations really need to know when preparing for a certification audit. With years of experience overseeing audits across various industries, Michael offers a clear and practical look at what auditors are truly looking for and how to avoid the most common pitfalls.

Michael explains the difference between simply having documentation and actually implementing the requirements of a standard, and why both are crucial. He shares the most common mistakes and misconceptions he sees from organisations going through their first certification, and offers guidance on how to prepare teams for audit day, from start to finish.

Contact Assent:

• Website: www.assent1.com
• Email: desk@assent1.com

Connect with Assent:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentuk
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQ
• Instagram: @assentriskmanagement

Contact Michael:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelvenner-isocertificationexpert/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/auva-certification-ltd

In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess is joined once again by Rob Hall, Founder of Tempo Audits, following his earlier appearance this season discussing remote auditing in ISO 27001. This time, Rob returns to share his journey to achieving UKAS accreditation, a significant milestone for any certification body.

Rob walks us through why UKAS accreditation matters, not just for credibility, but for building trust in the audit process. He shares candid insights into the steps involved, what Tempo learned along the way, and how the journey challenged and strengthened their approach to auditing.

Whether you're considering accreditation yourself or are simply curious about how trusted certification bodies are built, this episode offers valuable lessons from someone who’s done it.

Contact Assent:

• Website: www.assent1.com
• Email: desk@assent1.com

Connect with Assent:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentuk
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQ
• Instagram: @assentriskmanagement

Contact Rob:

• • www.tempoaudits.com
  • https://www.linkedin.com/company/tempo-audits/
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/robjshall/

In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess is joined by Danny Lee, an experienced quality professional with a strong background in aviation and aerospace. Together, they dive into the world of AS9100, the internationally recognised quality management system standard specifically designed for the aerospace, aviation, and defence industries.

Danny begins by explaining the purpose and scope of AS9100, who it’s intended for, and how it builds on the foundation of ISO 9001 by introducing additional industry-specific requirements. He highlights why sectors like aerospace need more than a general QMS and explores the key business benefits of adopting AS9100, including enhanced customer confidence, better risk management, and improved process control.

Listeners will also gain practical advice on how to transition from ISO 9001 to AS9100, especially for precision engineering companies aiming to break into the aviation sector. Danny shares insights on common implementation mistakes, what small businesses need to know, and the first steps to take when starting their AS9100 journey.

Whether you're considering certification or just want to understand how AS9100 supports excellence in aviation quality management, this episode offers expert guidance and actionable takeaways.

Contact Assent:

• Website: www.assent1.com
• Email: desk@assent1.com

Connect with Assent:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentuk
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQ
• Instagram: @assentriskmanagement

Contact Danny:

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/hiredannylee

In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess welcomes back Juliana Wood, Managing Director of Certifications at CIRQ. Following her popular appearance on the podcast where she introduced ISO 20252, Juliana returns to dive deeper into the standard, this time focusing on the top non-conformances seen during certification audits.

ISO 20252 is the international standard for market, opinion, and social research, and maintaining compliance is essential for delivering credible, high-quality results. Juliana shares insights from the past 12 months of auditing, highlighting the most common areas where organisations struggle. She also offers practical advice on how to avoid these pitfalls and ensure a smoother path to certification.

Whether you're newly exploring ISO 20252 or looking to strengthen your current systems, this episode is filled with valuable tips and expert knowledge to keep your organisation audit-ready and compliant.

Introduction to ISO 20252 Podcast Episode: https://exploringstandards.podbean.com/e/introduction-to-iso-20252-with-juliana-wood/

Contact Assent:

• Website: www.assent1.com
• Email: desk@assent1.com

Connect with Assent:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentuk
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQ
• Instagram: @assentriskmanagement

Contact Juliana:

CIRQ website: https://www.cirq.org/

Juliana Email: juliana.wood@cirq.org

In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess is joined by Kathy Clements, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Consultant and Head of Business Development & Partnerships at Assent Risk Management. Together, they take a deep dive into Assent’s anonymised Non-Conformance Log, revealing the Top 5 ISO 14001 non-conformances identified between April 2020 and April 2025.

Drawing on findings from both internal audits and certification body assessments, Kathy shares insights into the most common challenges organisations face when implementing and maintaining an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. From identifying environmental aspects to managing compliance obligations, this data-driven discussion highlights where businesses often fall short — and what they can do to improve.

Show Links:

UKConsulting Open Data Log: https://www.ukconsulting.org/open-data/

Contact Assent:

• Website: www.assent1.com
• Email: desk@assent1.com

Connect with Assent:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentuk
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQ
• Instagram: @assentriskmanagement

In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess is joined by James Williams, Operations Director at 3Core2, who brings over 18 years of experience in the certification industry. Together, they dive into the BAFE SP101 Scheme – a key competency standard for organisations and technicians working with portable fire extinguishers.

James explains what BAFE SP101 stands for and provides a clear overview of the scheme, including what a BAFE SP101 Certificate of Compliance represents. He walks us through the certification process, how long certification lasts, and discusses whether the scheme is a legal requirement or a best practice approach.

The conversation also covers the important role BAFE SP101 plays in both supplier and customer insurance considerations, and how it helps raise the standard of fire safety services across the UK.

Contact 3Core2:

• Website: https://www.3core2.co.uk/
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/3core2-certification

Contact Assent:

• Website: www.assent1.com
• Email: desk@assent1.com

Connect with Assent:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentuk
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQ
• Instagram: @assentriskmanagement