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New Climate Change Amendment to ISO Standards for Management Systems
In September 2021, at the General Assembly, the member agencies of the ISO standards, which represent 165 countries from all over the world, met, adopted the London Declaration, which establishes the ISO commitment to align with the Global Climate Agenda 2050. It was only at the annual ISO meeting of 2023 that TMB (Technical Maritime Bureau) Resolution 75/2023 was adopted, proposing certain changes as amendments to the standards already published.
The changes will be integrated as additional requirements related to climate change in the "Harmonized Structure", specifically in Appendix 2 of Annex SL, present in all ISO-compliant management system regulations.
The purpose is to enable organizations, regardless of their sector, size or location, to effectively address climate change impacts within their management systems.
On 22 February 2024, a communiqué was officially published on the addition of these Climate Change considerations, with the ISO Management System Standards being the most affected, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, said addition was by IAF and ISO together, they are already in force and dictate the following changes:
1. Section 4.1 - Understanding the Organization and its Context:
A new provision is introduced that requires organizations to determine the relevance of climate change to their activities. This implies that organizations must proactively assess the implications of climate change in their operations, ensuring that their management systems are adaptable and resilient to environmental challenges.
2. Section 4.2 - Understanding Stakeholder Needs and Expectations:
A note highlighting the importance of climate change in relation to stakeholder expectations is incorporated. This emphasizes the importance of organizations being attentive and responding to any requirements or expectations linked to climate change by their stakeholders, thus integrating environmental considerations into the quality management process.
Implications for the Organizations
With the explicit inclusion of climate change considerations in ISO standards, organizations are urged to:
- Assess the impact of climate change on their operational risks and strategic objectives.
- Interact with stakeholders to understand and address climate change requirements in their products and services.
- Integrate sustainability and environmental responsibility into your quality management systems.
Conclusion
The amendment, which came into force in February 2024, represents a significant step forward in aligning quality management practices with environmental sustainability objectives. Now, organizations certified under the ISO standard must review their management systems to ensure that climate change considerations are adequately addressed. This involves reviewing and possibly updating policies, objectives and processes to integrate climate change as a critical factor in organizational planning.
In short, the ISO/Amd 1:2024 amendment marks a crucial milestone in the evolution of quality management standards by inserting climate change considerations at the heart of organizational strategies. This modification not only underscores the importance of environmental management, but also positions organizations to be more resilient, responsible and proactive in their operations.
