Depending on the scope of contracts, it is standard practice for organizations in the petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries (further referred to as oil and gas sector) to require their products and services suppliers to operate quality management systems that conform to standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 29001, API Spec Q1 and API Spec Q2 .

Products and service providers are often required to certify their quality management systems by recognized accredited certification bodies. ISO 9001:2015 has introduced a step change to the way quality management systems are implemented across all industries. Organizations are required to place far greater emphasis on the identification and management of risks associated with their activities, processes, and output products and services.

Quality management systems must include appropriate process for identification and management of risk mitigation and opportunity realization. ISO 29001:2020 supplements ISO 9001:2015 with requirements and guidance to manage risks associated with the oil and gas sector and provides a framework for aligning requirements with complementary standards employed within the sector.

Recognizing that there is vast scope of supply in the sector, from standard through to specialized materials, equipment and services, it is important to ensure that relevant risk-based approaches are taken when specifying and evaluating quality management system requirements.