National Standards

Risk Management Standards

Risk management standards approach disaster and emergency management from a risk management perspective, and attempt to standardize risk management practices at national levels. Australia/New Zealand AS/NZS 4360 and the BS 31100 UK Risk Management Code of Practice Standard are typical examples of this type of standard. Initially introduced in 1995, AS/NZS 4360 is perhaps the first national standard in risk management. The objectives of this standard are to provide generic guidelines for risk management, aiming to achieve a more confident and rigorous basis for risk-based decision making and planning, and more effective allocation and use of resources.

The AS/NZS 4360 is a voluntary standard and can be applied to a wide range of activities (such as the petrochemical, chemical, and agricultural industries) and organizations in the public, private and voluntary sectors. This standard uses a systematic approach to risk management as well as a six-step process: establish the context, identify risks, analyze risks, evaluate risks, treat risks, and monitor and review. The most recent version of this standard was published in 2004. The AS/NZS 4360 has been used internationally, and has particularly influenced the development of ISO 31000: 2009 standards.

Published in 2008, BS 31100 Risk Management Code of Practice Standard is a more advanced national risk management standard developed by the British standards Institute in partnership with a large number of risk management practitioners and academics.

This standard provides a basis for understanding, developing, and implementing risk management within any organization by establishing the principles and concepts for risk management; and by providing generic recommendations for the model, framework, process, and implementation of risk management. This standard has an introduction, and five chapters covering scope, risk management principles, risk management process, and developing risk management activities. BS 31100 is very much consistent with the general guidance on risk management that is given by the ISO 31000.

Emergency Management Standards

Emergency management standards aim to standardize emergency management activities and programs at national levels. The U.S. Emergency Management Assessment Program (EMAP) and the Canadian CSA Z731 Emergency Preparedness and Response are among the sample standards in this category. EMAP is a standard-based voluntary assessment and peer review accreditation process for disaster and emergency management programs at various levels of government in the United States. Accreditation is based on compliance with national standards. EMAP has been developed in collaboration and support of a large number of national organizations: National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Transportation, National Governors Association, National League of Cities, and others.

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