ISO 14001:2026 Update: Draft International Standard Now Published

ISO 14001:2026 - key changes and enhancements

This revision is crucial for ensuring the standard remains relevant and robust in addressing current global environmental challenges, from climate change and biodiversity loss to resource scarcity.

The updated ISO 14001 DIS introduces several important refinements designed to improve an organisations environmental performance and help you to align with recent, common global challenges:

• Modernised terminology and harmonised structure - ISO 14001:2026 is set to refresh its terminology and align its structure more closely with other well-known management system standards, such as ISO 9001. This might sound technical, but it has real benefits: if your business holds multiple certifications, you will find it easier to manage them together, reduce duplication, and make audits far less of a headache.

• Stronger focus on environmental conditions - The updated standard places a greater focus on how external environmental factors, such as climate change, biodiversity, and resource availability, both affect the organisation and are affected by its operations. This includes considering aspects like greenhouse gas emissions and climate action more explicitly within the EMS. This reflects the growing global imperative to address important ecological issues.

• Clearer EMS scope with life-cycle perspective - ISO 14001:2026 will require organisations to take a genuine life-cycle approach. That means you’ll need to think not just about what happens inside your facilities but also about how your entire value chain contributes to environmental impacts. From raw material sourcing to product disposal, you’ll be expected to map out where improvements can be made.

• Strengthened leadership accountability - The revised standard places greater emphasis top management's personal involvement and accountability in driving environmental performance. While tasks can be delegated, ultimate responsibility remains with leadership, designed to foster a stronger culture of environmental responsibility throughout all areas of the business.

• Refined risk-based planning - The approach to identifying and addressing environmental risks and opportunities has been further improved, with clearer links between environmental aspects, compliance obligations, and planned actions. This aims to promote a more proactive and strategic approach to managing environmental performance.

• Introduction of a new change-management clause (6.3) - This new clause requires your to conduct methodical planning and control for any changes that you make to your EMS. This has been done to ensure that positive environmental outcomes remain consistent and no unintended environmental impacts slip through the cracks.

• Extended operational control to suppliers - The standard now states that organisations must control or influence externally provided processes, products, or services that are relevant to their EMS, including those from suppliers. The level of control must be clearly defined and documented. This encourages a fully-rounded approach to sustainability within your supply chain.

• Restructured management review (9.3) - The management review process has been reorganised into sub-clauses for 'General', 'Inputs', and 'Results' with the aim of providing clearer audit trails and to help you demonstrate that you are driving real improvements. 

• Ongoing commitment to continual improvement - The obligation for ongoing improvement of the EMS remains a core principle of the environmental standard.

• Expanded Annex A for explanatory notes - Annex A will offer clearer interpretations and practical insights on each clause. It’s not just technical — it’s there to help you apply the standard meaningfully within your organisation.

Preparing for the transition

Here's how you can effectively prepare your organisation for the ISO 14001:2026 transition:

Stay informed and educate key personnel

- Monitor official updates: Regularly check official communications from ISO, your chosen certification body (like NQA). It's important to be aware that although the DIS is a strong indicator of the expected changes to the standard, the FDIS and final publication may have minor differences.

- Attend webinars and training: Participate in webinars, workshops, and training courses specifically designed to highlight the changes in ISO 14001:2026. Many certification bodies, including NQA, will offer these.

- Communicate internally: Ensure that top management and all relevant personnel involved in the EMS are aware of the upcoming changes and their potential impact on their roles and responsibilities.

Conduct a gap analysis

- Compare your current EMS to the DIS: Once the final standard is published, a thorough gap analysis should be performed. Even with the DIS available now, you can start identifying potential areas of alignment or divergence.

- Identify areas for improvement: Pinpoint specific clauses and requirements where your current EMS might need adjustment to conform to the new standard. This is especially crucial for areas with enhanced focus like life-cycle perspective, climate action, and leadership.

Plan your transition schedule

- Align your certification cycles: Work with your certification body (NQA) to plan your transition audit within the anticipated transition period (likely up to three years from publication in January 2026). Early planning can help avoid last-minute rushes.

By taking these proactive steps, you can not only ensure compliance with the new ISO 14001:2026 standard but also enhance your overall environmental performance, resilience, and contribution to a more sustainable future.

Anticipated timeline

1. Draft International Standard (DIS): Has already been published and is currently undergoing a 12-week ballot period.

2. Final Draft International Standard (FDIS): Expected between October and December 2025.

3. Publication of ISO 14001:2026: Anticipated in January 2026.

4. Transition Period: A transition period of up to three years is typical, meaning organizations would likely need to migrate their certificates by early 2029. However, the exact duration will be confirmed by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

NQA is committed to supporting your organisation through this transition. We will be providing further updates, guidance, and resources to help you understand the changes and prepare for the new edition of ISO 14001.

Stay tuned for NQA's upcoming webinars, emails and training sessions designed to help you navigate the ISO 14001:2026 transition. If you'd like to receive the latest news as it arrives please register here.