What ISO 39001 covers
ISO 39001 is the international standard for a Road Traffic Safety (RTS) management system. Its explicit aim is to help organisations reduce, and ultimately eliminate, the death and serious injury associated with road traffic crashes. It provides a structured, measurable way to manage road safety rather than treating it as a matter of individual driver behaviour alone.
It applies to any organisation that interacts with the road traffic system — fleet operators, logistics and delivery businesses, public transport, and organisations whose sites or activities generate significant traffic.
What certification involves
Certification is a two-stage assessment that examines how road traffic safety is managed, typically including:
- Analysis of the organisation’s road traffic safety risk and performance factors
- RTS objectives and targets, and the plans to achieve them
- Operational controls — journey planning, vehicle suitability, driver competence and fitness
- Incident investigation and learning
Surveillance audits across the three-year cycle confirm performance keeps improving. It complements occupational safety certification such as ISO 45001 within the ISO Certifications portfolio.
Timeline & process
For most organisations, ISO 39001 certification takes around 12–16 weeks, depending on the size of the fleet and operations in scope. Each engagement begins with a fixed-price scoping call and a proposal within 24 hours.
Common questions
Who needs ISO 39001?
Organisations that interact with the road traffic system as part of their operations — fleet and logistics operators, public transport, delivery businesses and any company with significant driving activity, including those whose sites generate road traffic.
How does ISO 39001 relate to ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 manages occupational health and safety broadly, including driving for work; ISO 39001 focuses specifically on reducing death and serious injury related to road traffic. Organisations with substantial road exposure often use both.
