New ISO 14001 Standard Revision Delayed into 2026
The revision of ISO 14001, the international standard for environmental management systems, has been delayed and is now expected to be published in April 2026. Organisations will then enter a transition period to update existing ISO 14001:2015 certifications to the new standard.
Among the main changes in ISO 14001:2026 are:
A stronger focus on a broad range of environmental conditions beyond climate change, including pollution, biodiversity, and natural resource availability.
Restructured and clarified requirements for risk and opportunity processes.
A new clause and requirements for planning organisational changes.
Greater emphasis on life cycle thinking in assessing environmental aspects.
Expansion of operational control focus from “outsourced processes” to “externally provided processes, products and services.”
Substantially improved guidance across clauses to support interpretation and implementation.
These updates aim to strengthen environmental management practices, improve clarity, and help organisations integrate sustainability more effectively into their operations.
Early preparation is recommended to ensure a smooth transition.
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