ISO 39001 · Road traffic safety
ISO 39001 — road traffic safety
For transport companies, distributors and anyone whose people spend the day on the road, a traffic accident is the most likely serious incident. ISO 39001 manages that risk systematically.
What is ISO 39001?
ISO 39001 relies on the safe system approach: it starts from the fact that people make mistakes and that the system must be set up so that a mistake does not end in death or serious injury. Instead of reducing everything to driver blame, the standard requires you to manage speed, vehicle condition, route and schedule planning, fatigue and driver selection.
It does not apply only to transport companies. It applies to anyone who takes part in the road traffic system — distribution, service teams, taxis, car rental, public companies with vehicle fleets, even municipalities as road operators. In our region it is most often implemented together with ISO 45001, because the risk to employees on the road is then covered as a whole and the documentation is done once.
When is ISO 39001 required?
Large clients and tenders increasingly ask transport and delivery companies for it, alongside ISO 9001. Municipalities and road operators also implement it, as part of their responsibility for traffic safety in their area.
Another common trigger is internal: after a serious accident, a company with a large fleet wants a system that monitors speed, driver fatigue, vehicle condition and route planning, rather than only reacting when something happens.
Road to certification
The standard requires safety to be measured, so the focus is on data:
Who issues the certificate
The certificate is issued by an accredited certification body, as with other ISO management systems: a two-stage audit, a certificate valid for three years and surveillance in between. We do not issue the certificate — we set up the system, train the people and prepare you for the audit.
Scope of our support
A review of vehicles, routes and the data you already have — there is usually more of it than companies think.
Choosing performance factors and realistic objectives, with a way of measuring that does not require new administration.
Rules for drivers, maintenance and what to do after an incident, with training delivered in the language of the trade.
Internal audit, management review and support during the audit.
Related standards
ISO 9001 is the most common companion in tenders, ISO 45001 covers employee safety outside the vehicle, and ISO 14001 the fleet's fuel consumption and emissions.
Industries where this standard is most often required:
Training for fleet managers, dispatchers and drivers — safety factors, incident reporting and performance measurement. Delivered at your premises, online or as a combination of both.
ISO 39001 — frequently asked questions
Does it make sense if we use contracted carriers?
Yes. The standard requires you to manage what you can influence — and subcontractors are influenced through the contract, selection criteria and performance monitoring.
Will our insurance be cheaper?
It may, but that depends on the insurer and your claims history — it is not part of the standard and we do not promise it. What the system certainly gives you is data that puts you in a stronger position in negotiations.
Can it be done together with ISO 9001?
Yes, and that is how it is usually done — internal audits, management review and document control are shared, so the extra cost is lower than doing them separately.
How much does ISO 39001 cost?
It depends on the size of the fleet and the number of locations. Send details of your fleet for an indicative quote.
📋 Check the exact price for your organisation →The EU, the US and other markets
ISO 39001 is the same standard wherever you certify it — what differs is the designation, the accreditation behind the certificate and what your customers ask for.
In the European Union the standard is adopted with an EN prefix, and what your buyer in the Netherlands, Germany or France looks at is not the prefix but the accreditation behind the certificate: a body accredited by a signatory of the international recognition arrangement (Global Accreditation Cooperation, formerly IAF) is recognised in other markets too. What EU partners and EU regulation expect is on the page about the EU market.
For companies with customers in the United States — supplier audits, security questionnaires and how ISO sits alongside SOC 2 — see the page about the US market.
Wherever your customer is, we run the project remotely in English — over Teams, WhatsApp or Viber, with documentation and records in English — and on site when that is easier.
Some of our references
More than 400 organisations in Montenegro and the region have gone through implementation with us — from banks and public bodies to manufacturing, IT, laboratories and hospitality.
These are only some of our clients. More about us →
Request a free consultation
We will assess the scope of work and propose a realistic plan and budget for your product. Call us or send an inquiry — we reply within 24 hours.