On the 27th of February the IAF and ISO released a joint statement about the addition of climate change notes to management system standards.

What's Changing?

A range of ISO management system standards will be amended to explicitly address climate change. This initiative stems from the ISO London Declaration on Climate Change and reflects a global commitment to integrating climate action within organisational frameworks.

 The guidance notes for clauses that have been updated include clause 4.1 and 4.2 and are applicable to the following international standards ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 27001:2022.

 Key Takeaways:

• Climate Change Relevance: Organisations will now be required to assess the relevance of climate change to their management system. This means actively considering how climate change impacts your ability to achieve your intended outcomes.

• Stakeholder Needs: Understanding and addressing the requirements of interested parties regarding climate change is essential. This includes recognising that stakeholders may have specific expectations related to your organisation's climate action efforts.

• Impact Across Standards: While the specific clause of each standard remains unchanged, the integration of climate change considerations is now expected to be considered by the organisation and reflected within your management system.

• Proactive Climate Action: Many organisations already incorporate climate action within their business operations. This amendment provides a standardised approach all sectors, ensuring a consistent approach across all industries.

 What Does This Mean for You?

• Review your current management system and business operations.

• Consider if Climate Change is relevant to your organisation.

• If Climate change is relevant to your organisation, update your management system to reflect this.

Further Information