This is the first FMS standard to be published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

Previous facility management standards were European Standards, published by the British Standards Institute (BSI) in 2006. ISO 41001:2018 has not replaced the En 15221 standards but has taken a number of the elements from these standards and enhanced them from a management point of view.

The release of the ISO 41001:2018 was preceded by the release of a suite of supporting documents, released between April and July 2017 namely:

• ISO 41011:2017 Facility management — Vocabulary
• ISO 41012:2017 Facility management — Guidance on strategic sourcing and the development of agreements
• ISO/TR 41013:2017 Facility management — Scope, key concepts and benefits

ISO Technical Committee (ISO TC) 267 who published the ISO 41000 family of standards was represented by over 42 countries and chaired by Stan Mitchell representing BSI.

Having a standardised approach to facilities management is envisaged to deliver the following benefits:

• improved safety, health, well-being and productivity of workforce
• better efficiency and effectiveness, hence improving organisational cost benefits
• enhanced communication of FM methodologies and requirements among and between public and private sector organizations
• improved consistency of service levels delivered
• providing a common platform for all types of organizations