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In February 2024, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced an ISO 9001 climate change amendment called the Climate Action Amendment. It was a change also made to a number of the most widely used ISO Standards — including ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001.
So, what is the ISO 9001 climate change update, and what does it mean for businesses that are already ISO 9001 certified or are looking to get certified? In this blog, we’ll take a deeper look at the impact this change could have on businesses like yours.
What’s new?
What has actually changed? The update adds two key points to existing clauses within the ISO 9001 framework. These are:
- Clause 4.1: Understanding the Organisation and its Context: This clause now requires organisations to determine whether climate change is a relevant issue to their operations.
- Clause 4.2: Understanding the Needs and Expectations of Interested Parties: A new note highlights that relevant interested parties may have requirements related to climate change.
Although these seem like small changes, they still hold significant weight. Essentially, organisations now need to actively consider the potential influence of climate change on their business and how it could impact stakeholders.
Why has the ISO 9001 climate change amendment been made?
The change has been made to continue the global focus on environmental awareness. With the world taking a stronger and stronger stance on climate change, organisations are expected to make bigger commitments in terms of environmental responsibility and sustainability.
How does this affect ISO 9001-certified organisations?
But how will this affect businesses who already have ISO 9001 certification? Although these new considerations need to be followed and implemented, it doesn’t require a recertification process. Businesses just need to update their Quality Management System (QMS) to reflect the changes.
This involves:
- Assessing climate change relevance: Conduct an analysis to determine if climate change poses a risk or opportunity for your business.
- Addressing stakeholder needs: As part of clause 4.2, you should identify interested parties who might have climate change requirements. This could be customers seeking sustainable products or regulatory bodies with stricter environmental regulations.
- Documenting the changes: You should update your QMS documentation to show how you plan to address the climate change considerations.
What are the benefits of addressing climate change?
The ISO 9001 climate change amendment provides a great opportunity for businesses to show their commitment to helping the environment. Here’s how:
- Enhanced reputation: Demonstrating your environmental responsibility can boost your image, potentially attracting environmentally conscious customers and investors.
- Improved risk management: This can help your business become more resilient and adaptable to future changes.
- Increased efficiency: Optimising your usage and reducing your energy consumption can help your business save money.
- Compliance with regulations: With environmental regulations becoming more common, it’s great to get ahead of the curve.
Become ISO 9001 certified with us
Not yet certified? Take the certification journey with us and we’ll guide you all the way through the ISO 9001 certification process. You can create a QMS that works for your business, improving quality and efficiency in areas across your organisation.
You can also merge multiple ISO Standards with Integrated Management Systems, such as ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 IMS. If you’re interested in becoming certified with us, then get a quote today, or call 0330 127 5121 for more information about our ISO services.
If you’re already a client, you don’t need to worry. We’ll help make sure that you meet this amendment at your next audit. Don’t forget, our handy guide to ISO 9001 in the workplace is always available if you’d like some more information on the standard.
