Revision of ISO 14001 expected in early 2026

CONTENTS

• ISO 14001 revision in progress
• ISO 14001 update
• What changes are expected with the ISO 14001 revision?
• User Survey Report from 2021
• ISO 14001 revision – Conclusion
• DQS. The right partner from the start.

ISO 14001 revision in progress

In April 2023, ISO published the results of the second user survey on ISO 14001. The intention behind the survey was to gain insights into the possible need for revision of the current version ISO 14001:2015. Although the majority of participants wanted more support, they clearly opposed a comprehensive revision of the standard.

However, things turned out differently: even before the results of the user survey were published, the responsible technical committee ISO/TC 207/SC 1 decided to revise the current version of ISO 14001. This means that ISO 14001 is facing a new revision – but according to the user survey, this is entirely in line with users' wishes. Instead of new requirements and major changes, the focus is more on clarifying existing requirements. Changes are to be limited as far as possible to the informative Annex A of the standard.

The many, in some cases significant, developments in the environmental sector in recent years were cited as decisive factors in the decision to revise the standard. These include the following aspects, among others:

• Climate change
• Increasing importance of greenhouse gases
• Resource scarcity
• Increased use of renewable energies
• Requirements arising from the transition to a functioning circular economy (Circular Economy)

Other important topics to be included in the environmental standard are the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the EU's Green Deal. The current version, ISO 14001:2015, is limited to considering the life cycle of products and services.

ISO 14001 Update

Adjustments and future developments in the environmental management system

In July 2024, an initial vote was held within the responsible committee in Bern, Switzerland, at which the comments received on the Committee Draft (CD) were discussed. The discussion focused on the following topics and their significance for an environmental management system:

• Organizational strategy and business processes
• Integrated management system approach
• Change management
• Context of the organization
• Risks and opportunities in ISO 14001
• External reporting
• Environmental responsibility
• Employee engagement
• Outsourced processes
• Sustainable supply chains

The connection between the environmental management system and the contents of the ISO 14002 series was also discussed. It provides specific guidelines for dealing with environmental aspects and environmental conditions. While the first part, ISO 14002-1, provides general guidelines for the systematic treatment of environmental aspects, ISO 14002-2 focuses on water-related environmental aspects.

On February 3, 2025, a draft designated ISO 14001:2015/DAM 2:2025 was published and subjected to the usual 12-week consultation period. The next step is expected to be the publication of the binding draft (ISO/DIS).

The final publication of the revised ISO 14001 is not expected before 2026. No decision has yet been made on any deadlines that companies will have to meet in the course of converting to the new version of ISO 14001. It can be assumed that the usual three-year period from the publication of the standard will apply.

What changes are expected with the revision of ISO 14001?

During the voting process (ballot phase), no reliable details on possible changes have been finalized. However, a preliminary overview of the planned adjustments is available:

• Adjustment to the new Harmonized Structure (HS) of ISO (formerly High Level Structure)
• Greater emphasis on the role of environmental aspects in climate change
• Emphasis on the relevance of transparent reporting
• Focus on an opportunity-oriented approach
• Clarifications in some notes
• Amendment under 4.1 and 4.2 supplemented
   

User Survey Report from 2021

Summary of key findings on the ISO 14001 revision

The second ISO 14001 User Survey was organized in 2021 by the responsible committee ISO/TC 207/SC 1 and conducted worldwide. The first survey took place in 2013 in the run-up to the major revision of 2015. Around 3,000 participants from 91 countries worldwide took part in the current survey. These included users of an implemented (6%) and certified (94%) environmental management system, but also just as many non-users, such as consultants and certification bodies.

The 2021 User Survey addressed key issues and future challenges for environmental management. The first part referred to the last major revision of ISO 14001. This confirmed once again what has been evident in practice since its publication: most difficulties arise with the following three standard requirements.

• Consideration of the product life cycle (52%)

• Risks and opportunities related to environmental aspects and environmental impacts (32%)

• Control of outsourced processes (28%)

The benefits of ISO 14001

Here it became clear that users attribute considerable benefits to the environmental standard. Particularly with regard to
- Meeting legal requirements and other binding obligations,
- Improving environmental performance, and
- Top management commitment to environmental management.

Other benefits cited were
- Meeting the expectations of interested parties,
- Improving public image,
- Achieving strategic goals, and
- Integrating with business processes.

According to users, both Annex A of the environmental standard and the ISO 14001 guidelines for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an environmental management system were particularly helpful. This supports the assumption that comprehensive support is an essential aspect for the effective implementation of the standard requirements and is in corresponding demand.

Support for specific environmental issues

The question about interest in advice on the introduction of an environmental management system revealed a need for practical reports and supplementary guides for implementation among just under half of the respondents.

Particular emphasis was placed on specific environmental topics such as
- Climate protection
- Materials and waste management
- Recycling management
- Management of chemicals
- Environmental law
- Water protection
- Air quality
- Biodiversity.

Slightly less than one third of the participants indicated an interest in further support. In particular, in the form of a separate standard
- On dealing with climate change
- On waste management
- On circular economy(this is already in progress as part of the ISO 14002 series).

In view of the survey results, there currently appears to be no further need for the development of additional ecologically oriented standards.

Consideration of the detailed results

A closer look at the results reveals several reasons for the tendency among the ISO 14001-certified organizations that participated in the survey to say “no” to a comprehensive new revision and “yes” to more support. The main argument in favor of an ISO 14001 certificate is the (certain) fulfillment of legal obligations (75%).

This corresponds with the answers to the question about the value of environmental management. Here, legal certainty once again takes the top spot with 75%. Also high on the list are the reduction of (financial) risk in connection with the effects of environmental influences (76%) and the fulfillment of customer requirements (77%).

Conversely, only 14% of respondents stated that they require their suppliers to implement an environmental management system with a view to life cycle assessment. In contrast, around 40% of respondents said that they identify the environmental aspects of their suppliers and communicate their own environmental requirements to their suppliers.

When asked to what extent and with what intensity the committee should deal with the five new environmental management concepts (Future Challenge Concepts) from the ‘Future Challenges Report 2020’ in the next revision, a narrow majority of non-users of the standard responded. They wanted stricter requirements on the following two topics:

• Identification of environmental aspects in the product life cycle and supply chain
• Promotion of environmental responsibility in organizations and employee engagement

The report itself highlights key areas for action, including the identification of environmental aspects in the supply chain, the promotion of a culture of environmental responsibility, employee engagement, the integration of the environmental management system, and external reporting on environmental goals.

For standard users, on the other hand, the focus was on further information and greater clarity about existing requirements, as well as additional support.

ISO 14001 revision – Conclusion

A step into the future with a focus on clarity and support

The upcoming revision of ISO 14001, expected in 2026, marks a significant but cautious step into the future of environmental management. Instead of far-reaching changes, the update to the environmental standard is planned to clarify and support the existing requirements. This is in line with the wishes of users, who want more support in implementation without increasing the complexity of the standard (source: User Survey Report 2021).

Although no significant new requirements are currently planned, the ISO 14001 update will provide a good opportunity to prepare the environmental management system for future challenges. The well-known standard remains a valuable tool for promoting environmental responsibility and sustainability and supporting global climate goals. In the long term, this can contribute not only to improving environmental performance, but also to increasing competitiveness.

A binding draft (ISO/DIS – Draft International Standard) is expected to be published in 2025. Companies should then use the time to familiarize themselves with the planned changes and proactively adapt their environmental management to the new requirements. The expected three-year transition period after the final publication of the standard offers sufficient time for this.

DQS - What we can do for you

For more than 35 years, we have stood for the advancement of management systems and processes with impartial audits and certifications. We audit according to about 100 recognized standards and regulations, according to industry-specific standards or tailored to your individual specifications - regionally, nationally and internationally.

Impartiality and objectivity are essential elements for us when conducting audits and certifications. DQS received accreditation in the environmental field as early as 1996, the year of its first publication, which means more than 25 years of experience in ISO 14001 certification from which you should benefit.