21.10.2025

The ISO landscape is evolving. Revisions to ISO 14001:2015, (Environmental Management), ISO 9001:2015 (Quality) and ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health & Safety) are currently moving through the ISO processes and will bring new requirements that affect management systems, supplier relationships, and reporting.

At this stage, the standards are not yet published so be wary of anyone making definitive claims about exactly what will change. 

What we can share are the current timelines and direction of travel, based on committee drafts and industry updates.

Key dates 

  • ISO 14001:2015 - revision work is progressing with the final draft due on 23 February 2026
  • ISO 9001: 2015 - a revision is in progress with the final draft due on 1 July 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 - revision expected in 2026

Updates are expected regarding assessing climate-related risks, emissions, and biodiversity impacts as well as more emphasis on upstream and downstream impacts. Senior leaders will be expected to more clearly demonstrate environmental considerations in strategic planning and decision-making and it’s anticipated there will be updates to how “competence” is defined and evidenced.

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.

Practical steps to start now 

  1. Leadership briefing - brief senior leaders on likely changes and secure a decision to treat revisions as a strategic risk
  2. Gap scan - map existing systems against the draft/expected requirements
  3. Supply-chain mapping - identify key suppliers and where evidence of environmental/quality/health and safety performance is weak
  4. Update documentation and roles - refresh scope, context, leadership responsibilities and competence matrices to reflect the new expectations.
  5. 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 ISO 14001 Awareness and Transition course will ensure you’re ready to act with confidence when the new standard is released.

ISO 14001 Awareness and Transition Course 

Make UK will be running a short, practical ISO 14001:2026 Awareness and Transition Course shortly after publication of the new standard. Register now to ensure you and your team understand the changes and know what to do next.