ISO Update: Climate Change Now Part of Key Management Standards
In February 2024, ISO introduced a significant change by adding climate change considerations to several key management standards including but not limited to:
- ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems
- ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems
- ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety
- ISO 50001 – Energy Management Systems
What does this mean for businesses?
Organisations certified to these standards must now consider how climate change affects both their operations and the people they work with, such as customers and suppliers. They specifically need to consider:
- Understanding their organisation’s context, including climate change
- Understanding the needs of interested parties, like clients and regulators
In simple terms, businesses must integrate climate change into how they plan, operate, and manage risk.
With the official amendment of Climate Change being added to several Management Standards, I’ve no doubt there are lots of people already shouting that Climate Change should have been included at an operational level anyway. That said, people only know what they know. If they missed this initially, it is now clear that the standards require consideration of Climate Change. It’s like saying everyone should have Artificial Intelligence (AI) included within their system. Or, having just read this, are you now rushing off to amend your documentation to include AI?
Climate Change
At Pentagon Assurance, we believe that Climate Change should be relevant to all aspects of the business structure, culture, and behaviour. Although this does not necessarily mean there needs to be any significant change to the Management System or Scope.
However, to adopt the core values of Climate Change within ISO, organisations need to promote and support these values through strong leadership and commitment.
Rather than having one line in the Management System manual stating “we have considered climate change and…”, why not take some time and really consider Climate Change? Talk about it, think about it, and where applicable, incorporate it into your processes, procedures, and activities.
Add it to your Policy, SWOT/PESTLE Analysis, Risks and Opportunities, Objectives, Monitoring, Competence, Regulatory/Compliance Obligations, and Operational activities.
Do your customers have any specific requirements aligned to Climate Change, Sustainability, or Carbon footprint detailed within contracts? What are their Needs and Expectations? How would you manage them?
Remember, “you only know what you know,”. But Pentagon Assurance can guide and support you to ensure that you will also know what you don’t know. Contact us today to find out more.