Schedule and expected publication
| Standard | Expected publication |
|---|---|
| ISO 14001:2026 | April 2026 |
| ISO 9001:2026 | Autumn 2026 (September/October). |
After publication, a transition period of up to about three years will apply. During this period, organizations should transition from the current 2015 version to the new edition.
Main expected changes in ISO 14001:2026
The revision of ISO 14001:2015 largely retains the existing structure and requirements. The main emphasis is on clarification and updating.
1. Improved readability and clarity.
- Reformulation of existing requirements to make the standard more accessible and understandable.
- Expansion and clarification of guidelines in Annex A.
2. Harmonised Structure
- Alignment with ISO's Harmonised Structure (common chapter structure for management standards).
- Facilitates integration with other standards, such as ISO 9001.
3. Focus on environmental aspects and performance.
- Adjusted sequence in chapter 6.1 to clarify the relationship between environmental aspects, compliance obligations and risks and opportunities.
- Continued emphasis on life-cycle perspective, risk-based thinking and effectiveness of environmental performance.
- More explicit focus on climate change and resource efficiency (without sweeping new obligations).
ISO 14001 will thus not have a fundamentally new set of requirements, but mainly structural improvements and clarifications compared to the current version.
Main expected changes in ISO 9001:2026
ISO 9001 is one of the most widely used management standards worldwide. The revision builds on the current version, with a clear focus on modernization and current business challenges.
1. Risk and opportunity management.
- Further concretization of risk-based thinking and opportunity management.
- Encouragement of a more proactive approach to uncertainties.
2. ESG and sustainability.
- Stronger linkage with Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG).
- Increased focus on environmental and social expectations within the quality management system.
3. Digitalization
- More explicit attention to digital processes, data and information technology.
4. Culture, leadership and behavior
- Additional emphasis on quality culture and ethical leadership.
5. Integration of environmental and social context
- Strengthening the requirement to include climate and environmental factors in the context analysis of the organization.
In addition, Annex A is expanded to provide more detailed guidance consistent with chapters 4 through 10.
The core principles of ISO 9001, customer focus, process thinking and continuous improvement are retained, but the standard is being modernized to better reflect digitalization, sustainability and changing risks.
What does this mean for certified organizations?
Organizations certified to ISO 9001:2015 and/or ISO 14001:2015 would do well to prepare for the upcoming changes in a timely manner. Preparations may include:
- Increasing employee awareness and training
- Performing a gap analysis between the current management system and the expected new requirements
- Further integrating sustainability and digitalization into existing processes
Transition period
After publication in 2026, a transition period of up to three years will apply. During this period, organizations can still be certified according to the 2015 versions, but they must have demonstrable plans for the transition to the new standards.
Once more is known about the final content and publication dates of the revised standards, a further update will follow.
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