ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 – understand the changes in 2026

Updates are coming for ISO 9001 Quality Management System and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, with new considerations and new responsibilities for businesses ahead of recertification.

Are you prepared for change?

What you need to know about ISO 9001: 2026 and ISO 14001: 2026

ISO 9001 is the internationally-recognised standard for Quality Management Systems and ISO 14001 for Environmental Management Systems. Both standards are being updated with a 2026 revision, due to be published in September 2026.

Why it matters to you

The updates introduce changes to the way in which quality and environmental accountability is managed. These include greater integration of quality and sustainability, a smarter approach to risk management, and increased scope of ISO 14001, to include biodiversity, ecosystem health and circular economy principles.

Organisations will have to consider and implement the changes ahead of recertification. Bureau Veritas experts can guide you through the requirements.

You can find out more on our dedicated pages for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Key changes at a glance – ISO 9001: 2026

  • Climate considerations

    Organisations must now explicitly evaluate whether climate change is relevant to their context

  • Stakeholder focus

    Clearer requirements on identifying which stakeholder needs your QMS will address

  • Remote and hybrid working

    infrastructure requirements now include support for distributed teams

  • Organisational culture

    the use of emerging technologies and new emphasis on ethical behaviour and quality culture

  • Opportunity management

    Enhanced requirements for identifying and acting on opportunities through a dedicated clause, moving beyond traditional risk-focused approaches

Key changes at a glance – ISO 14001: 2026

  • Climate Change and environmental conditions - organisations must explicitly evaluate climate change and other environmental conditions affecting or affected by the organisation (pollution, biodiversity, ecosystem health)
  • Stakeholder requirements - interested parties may have climate-related requirements. Organisations must identify and address which stakeholder needs their EMS will address
  • Life cycle perspective - environmental aspects must be assessed across the entire product lifecycle, from raw materials to final disposal
  • Supply chain management - externally provided processes, products and services must be managed for environmental impact and strategic alignment
  • Risk and opportunity planning - reorganised and clarified to redefine priorities
  • Change management – a new dedicated clause ensuring planned, controlled management of changes affecting environmental conditions
  • Leadership accountability - strengthened emphasis on active top management involvement in EMS effectiveness and achievement of environmental objectives
  • Internal audit and management review - enhanced requirements for defined audit objectives and mandatory consideration of all required inputs
Answering your questions on the transition

What next?

It’s important that you understand the changes ahead of your next recertification cycle.

Speak to Bureau Veritas certification experts who can guide you through the updates to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Find out more on our dedicated pages: ISO 9001: 2026 and ISO 14001: 2026.

Have more questions? Reach out to the team today:

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