ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 in revision: state of play
The globally recognized standards ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management) are currently being revised. The aim is to better reflect current requirements from practice, society and the environment. Topics such as opportunity management, climate relevance and leadership with integrity are becoming increasingly important. Below you will find a brief overview of the current status of the two revisions.
ISO 9001 - What's new?
The most important planned changes:
- Separation of risks and opportunities:
Separate chapters should give equal weight to both aspects. Companies are also encouraged to systematically identify opportunities, e.g. by means of a SWOT analysis. - Ethical behavior and integrity:
In future, the standard will require top management to act as role models and actively demonstrate ethical behavior. - Cultural aspects and editorial adjustments:
The structure of the standard will be revised and cultural factors will be given greater consideration.
ISO 14001 - Which points are under discussion?
The aim of the audit is to clarify existing concepts so that environmental aspects can be better understood and managed more effectively. The focus is on
- More clarity in the appendix:
The informative annex is intended to provide more practical information on the requirements for the environmental management system (EMS). - Focus on quality and planning:
Better planning is key to effective environmental management - especially in view of changing environmental conditions.
The focus is on the following questions, among others:
- How are environmental risks and opportunities identified and taken into account?
- How are environmental targets defined and coordinated with environmental aspects and legal and voluntary obligations?
- How is the relevance of climate change or other local or global environmental issues assessed for the organization?
- How is the product life cycle taken into account in the EMS?
- How is the availability of documented information in the EMS ensured?
Recommendation for companies:
A changeover is not yet necessary. Nevertheless, it makes sense to address the issues of climate change, opportunity management and responsible leadership at an early stage. The publication of the revised ISO 14001 is planned for March 2026, that of ISO 9001 for fall 2026.
Source: snv.ch
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