Revision ISO 14001: All essential changes at a glance
Why is the revision of ISO 14001 necessary?
The international environmental management standard ISO 14001 dates back to 2015 and is currently in the final stage (Final Draft International Standard -FDIS) of its revision. ISO standards are reviewed every five years to ensure they comply with legal requirements and meet the evolving needs of organizations and the global economy. Another goal of the revision is to improve compatibility with other standards. The new edition, ISO 14001:2026, will replace the current version, ISO 14001:2015. The upcoming revision will place greater emphasis on climate protection, as it is becoming increasingly important in business practice.
Significant Changes in ISO 14001:2026
1. Integration of the Harmonized Structure (HS): The standard is adapted to the new Harmonized Structure, which replaces the High Level Structure and brings minor content-related and terminological changes.
2. Terms and definitions: Section 3 is expanded to include relevant terms from the Harmonized Structure.
3. Context of the organization: In Section 4, the contents of ISO 14001:2015/Amd 1:2024 are integrated and further specified regarding climate change. Other environmental topics, such as greenhouse gases and biodiversity, are now also addressed. The explanations provide significantly more detailed information.
4. Interested parties: The information to be provided to interested parties is specified, especially concerning sustainability information and information about product characteristics for additional stakeholders in the supply chain.
5. Life Path Consideration: The consideration of the life path is already mentioned when defining the scope of the management system and therefore needs to be significantly expanded and considered.
6. Structure: The Section of titles are further harmonized, particularly Section 6 (Area of Risks and Opportunities) and Section 10 (Improvements). There is now also a new Section 6.3 on change management.
7. Phrasing: Some phrasings are adjusted to improve clarity and comprehensibility.
The publication of the revised environmental management standard ISO 14001:2026 is scheduled for revision and publication in early 2026, with a focus on climate action, lifecycle perspectives, and integration with business strategies. Companies will then have a three-year transition period to adjust their systems to the new standards. During this time, certificates under the previous version of the standard, ISO 14001:2015, remain valid. The switch to the new standard can take place as part of a recertification audit or a surveillance audit. As soon as the final standard text is available, those responsible should familiarize themselves with the changes and new requirements to ensure a smooth transition.