Climate Change in ISO Standards

Climate Change, ISO Services, Sustainability

April 16, 2024

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) has recently announced significant amendments to its management systems standards. These changes particularly affect the following top 10 management system standards: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 22000, ISO 13485, ISO 50001, ISO/IEC 20000-1, ISO 37001, and ISO 22301. These changes introduce climate change considerations into the core of organisational management systems, taking a big step towards making businesses worldwide more sustainable and environmentally responsible.

Understanding the Amendments

The recent amendments to management systems standards, particularly clauses 4.1 and 4.2, focus on understanding the organisation's context and the needs of interested parties. A significant addition is the requirement for organisations to evaluate the relevance of climate change in ISO standards to their operations and strategic objectives. This ensures that "climate change" is now incorporated into the management system as an essential consideration.

The Significance of the Amendments

These changes reflect a broader shift in the global business landscape towards acknowledging and addressing the pressing challenge of climate change. By incorporating climate change in ISO standards, organisations are encouraged to evaluate and mitigate their environmental impact, aligning their operations with global sustainability efforts. This amendment not only underscores ISO's commitment to combating climate change but also elevates the role of businesses in contributing to environmental sustainability.

Expectations of Certified Organisations

Organisations certified under these ISO standards are now expected to:

• Assess whether climate change in ISO standards is a relevant issue within their operational context.
• Integrate climate change in ISO standards into their management systems, influencing policies, objectives, and processes.
• Document their assessment and integration processes for audit and compliance purposes.

These expectations aim to ensure that organisations are not only compliant with ISO standards but also actively contributing to global climate action initiatives.

Climate Change in ISO Standards: How Critical Path Can Help

As an ISO consultancy provider, Critical Path is ready to assist organisations in navigating these amendments through a suite of services designed to ensure seamless compliance and integration of climate change considerations:

Gap Analysis

Our consultants conduct a thorough review of your current management system, identifying areas requiring updates to align with the latest ISO standards. This includes examining policies, procedures, and documentation related to quality, environmental, and health and safety management.

Risk Assessment

We assess the impact of climate change on your operations, identifying specific risks and opportunities. This involves reviewing existing risk management processes and documentation. Additionally, we conduct interviews and site visits to gather relevant information.

Implementation Support

Our team offers expert advice on integrating climate change considerations into your management system. This includes developing tailored climate change policies and procedures, updating operational processes, and providing training to staff. We also assist in documenting these changes to ensure compliance with ISO standards.

Documentation and Compliance

We help prepare the necessary documentation to meet audit requirements. This includes updating manuals, procedures, and records to reflect the integration of climate change considerations into your management system. We ensure that all documentation is comprehensive and aligned with ISO standards.

Training and Awareness

We conduct onsite or remote training sessions to enhance organisational awareness of climate change issues. This involves developing training materials, delivering interactive sessions, and providing ongoing support to staff as they implement changes. We also assist in documenting training activities and outcomes for compliance purposes.

Ongoing Support

We provide continuous support to ensure your management system remains effective in addressing climate change challenges. This includes monitoring changes in ISO standards and best practices, conducting regular reviews of your system, and offering guidance on improvements. We assist in documenting these ongoing efforts to demonstrate compliance and continual improvement.

Conclusion

The integration of climate change into ISO management systems marks a major shift in how organisations address sustainability. As businesses strive for a greener future, Critical Path pledges to assist them in meeting new ISO standards and aiding the global fight against climate change.

Sources

• ISO.org
• SGS