(ISO: Geneva) -- Emergencies, crises, and disasters like the tsunami in Japan or the recent riots in London can happen at any time. Organizations around the world are increasingly implementing risk management processes to deal with uncertainty and ensure continuity. But if their suppliers are unable to deliver or customers unable to purchase, the ability of an organization to achieve its objectives would be compromised.

To promote resilience at every step of the supply chain, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed a new standard, ISO 28002:2011—“Security management systems for the supply chain–Development of resilience in the supply chain–Requirements with guidance for use.”

“Organizations are realizing more and more that to be resilient, it is not enough to focus on internal processes,” says Capt. Charlie Piersall, chair of the committee that developed the standard. “As they seek assurance that their suppliers and the extended supply chain in general have planned for and taken steps to prevent and mitigate the threats and hazards to which they may be exposed, there is a strong demand for standards and best practice. For resiliency, ISO 28002 is that standard.”

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