The international environmental management standard ISO 14001 is getting an update. The revision of the standard, ISO 14001:2026, will come into force at the end of April. Companies with existing ISO 14001 certification will have to make adjustments in various areas.
With the revision, sustainability issues such as climate change, biodiversity and resource availability will become more important. At the same time, ISO 14001:2026 is intended to simplify the integration of other management systems.
The standard now follows the Harmonised Structure (HS), which is intended to facilitate implementation for companies with a uniform structure and adapted terminology. Amendment 1 "Climate Action Changes", which has already required companies to incorporate climate protection requirements into their environmental management since 2024, will be fully integrated into the standard. "In future, companies will have to fully disclose the impact of their business activities on climate change. In addition, every organisational or procedural change must be checked for its impact on environmental management," explains Dr Anette Czediwoda, Head of ISO 14001 in the Certification Business Unit at TÜV NORD.
Management responsibility
Environmental protection is a management issue. This becomes clear in the revision of ISO 14001: responsibility, communication and the support of those responsible in the company are moving centre stage. Companies must make the effects of their actions more transparent and ensure that the defined environmental standards are adhered to and improvements achieved. Suppliers and service providers should also be included in the management system. "In this way, the entire life cycle can be considered in order to assess a product together with its upstream and downstream environmental impacts and to be able to counteract climate risks holistically," says Czediwoda.
Transition period for certified companies
A three-year transition period is planned for the changeover to the new standard. This leaves sufficient time for adjustments. Nevertheless, it is advisable to start implementation early. "If managers and environmental officers prepare for the changes now and adapt their documentation and processes, recertification can run smoothly," says Anette Czediwoda. Companies can also improve their sustainability figures and minimise risks.
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