Transition: ISO 14001:2015 → ISO 14001:2026
What’s changing and why
- ISO 14001:2015 is also being revised with a Draft International Standard (DIS) already issued in early 2025 and a final version expected in January 2026.
- Changes are moderate: alignment with climate imperatives, improved readability, better lifecycle perspective, and strengthened risk-based thinking. Annex A is also expanded to support implementation.
Transition timeline
| Milestone | Expected Date |
| DIS issued | February - May 2025 Acclaro Advisory |
| Final ISO 14001:2026 published | January 2026 NQADNVLRQADNV |
| Transition period begins | At publication |
| Transition window likely | 12 -18 months (until mid-2027) Acclaro AdvisoryBPRHubDNV |
What it means for you
Certificates to ISO 14001:2015 remain valid during the transition, but you’ll need to adopt the updated EMS standard before the deadline.Key themes include:
- Enhanced focus on climate change and environmental performance.
- Integrated lifecycle perspective and supply chain sustainability.
- Better alignment with Annex SL and reporting expectations.
Recommended transition approach
We aim to make your journey seamless by providing transition support that includes:- Client focused transition checklists and gap tools to map current processes to the new ISO 14001:2026 requirements.
- Training and awareness sessions covering expected changes and implementation guidance.
- Internal audit and management review support to ensure readiness ahead of your formal audit.
- Transition-gap assessments with expert auditors to identify areas for improvement.
- Transition audits (stand-alone, surveillance combined or recertification) to move from 2015 to 2026 editions.
Key steps to prepare now
- Stay updated by monitoring ISO TC 176 (9001) and TC 207 (14001) bulletins and working draft publications.
- Plan training for leadership and process owners around changes in risk based thinking, digital adoption, stakeholder engagement, and climate governance.
- Perform gap analysis once DIS drafts are released to map differences and prioritise actions.
- Update documentation and processes particularly in areas of strategy, risk, supply chain oversight, and environmental performance metrics.
- Conduct internal audit and management reviews addressing the new/changed requirements in readiness for your transition audit.
Why transition early?
- Reduces lastminute audit pressure
- Allows time to embed new practices
- Supports smoother transition audits
- Positions your organisation as forward looking and resilient
More support and resources
The NQA team is here to guide you throughout the transition process. If you have any questions or need help, we can support you with:
- Technical analysis and guidance: We’ll be providing various additional content over the coming months; please check our website and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.
- Pre-Assessment / Gap Analysis: We can provide a Pre-Assessment or Gap Analysis of your revised management system.
- Webinars: Join our sessions for general interpretative analysis and transition guidance.
- Training: NQA offers a range of transition courses designed to equip attendees with the knowledge they need for a smooth organisational transition.
If you have any questions or need to speak to someone regarding your transition, please contact us.