ISO standards are evolving: what changes mean for your business
Originally Posted: 21.10.2025
Last Updated: 15.04.2026
The ISO landscape is evolving. Revisions to ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) have been published, as of 15 April 2026, whilst ISO 9001:2015 (Quality) and ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health & Safety) are currently moving through the ISO processes – all bringing new requirements that affect management systems, supplier relationships, and reporting.
Key dates
- ISO 14001:2015 – new standard ISO 14001:2026 published 15 April 2026 by ISO
- ISO 9001: 2015 - a revision is in progress and expected in 2026
- ISO 45001:2018 - a revision is underway, and publication is expected in 2027
These are the current reported timelines. ISO will confirm official publication dates and transition periods.
Organisations usually have up to 3 years, following the final publication, to transition to a new ISO standard.
What’s changing
While the final texts will determine exact requirements, early drafts and committee activity show a consistent direction across the three standards:
- Stronger emphasis on systemic risks - organisations will need to demonstrate how they consider these risks in the context of their operations and value chain.
- Greater connection with strategic decision-making - top leadership will be expected to more clearly demonstrate accountability and to integrate environmental, safety and quality risks into strategic planning.
- Broader stakeholder and supply-chain requirements - expect tighter expectations around supplier resilience, reporting and verification of claims (relevant across 9001 and 14001).
ISO 14001:2015 - Published 15 April 2026
The revised standard strengthens the role of environmental management in leadership, culture and engagement , with clearer expectations around:
- New clause on change management
- Internal audits and management reviews
- Improvement and continual improvement requirements
For organisations certified to ISO 14001, this marks the start of the transition period and early understanding will be key to planning effectively and avoiding last minute pressure.
ISO 9001:2015 - revision expected in 2026
Updates are expected around digitalisation, supply-chain resilience and clearer text on risk-based thinking.
ISO 45001:2018 - revision expected in 2027
The change is driven by a desire to widen occupational health and safety requirements to include elements such as mental health, inclusivity, and resilience.
Make UK are proud to have a representation on BSI's committee HS/1 Occupational Health & Safety Management looking at ISO 45001 and reviewing changes ahead of the updated standard.
Practical steps to start now
- Leadership briefing - brief senior leaders on likely changes and secure a decision to treat revisions as a strategic risk
- Gap scan - map existing systems against the draft/expected requirements
- Supply-chain mapping - identify key suppliers and where evidence of environmental/quality/health and safety performance is weak
- Update documentation and roles - refresh scope, context, leadership responsibilities and competence matrices to reflect the new expectations.
- Train and communicate - awareness and understanding regarding the new standards is critical
Keeping you informed
The revisions to ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 9001:2015 will shape management systems for the next decade.
We’ll continue to monitor developments closely and share updates as soon as authoritative information becomes available.
In the meantime, now is the right time to start preparing, and our awareness and transition courses will ensure you’re ready to act with confidence when the new standard are released.
Make UK will be running short, practical training sessions shortly after publication of the new standards. Register now to ensure you and your team understand the changes and know what to do next.