ISO Introduces Climate Action Amendments to Management Systems Standards

In a groundbreaking move to integrate climate considerations into global business practices, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) announced the publication of Climate Action Amendments. Effective as of February 23, 2024, these amendments have been introduced to existing and forthcoming ISO Management Systems Standards (MSS), underscoring ISO’s commitment to climate action.

The Essence and Intent of the Amendments

The amendments arise from ISO's resolution in support of the ISO London Declaration on Climate Change, focusing on integrating climate considerations into organizational management systems to enhance their effectiveness in achieving intended outcomes. This entails the addition of new statements to numerous standards, both existing and in development, to embed climate change awareness and action within the core operational strategies of organizations.

The aim is to make climate change considerations an integral part of management systems, not as an afterthought but as a crucial element in guiding organizational practices and policies. This initiative is encapsulated in the Harmonized Structure of the ISO/IEC Directives and represents a significant shift in ISO's environmental responsibility approach.

By emphasizing the need to address climate change impacts through the management system's scope, the amendments set out to enhance organizational resilience and adaptability to climate-related risks. Organizations are encouraged to assess these risks and, where relevant, integrate them into their strategic objectives and risk mitigation efforts. 

What are the Amendments?

These amendments have been applied to Clauses 4.1 and 4.2 of the current Annex SL Standards:

• Clause 4.1 – ‘Understanding the organization and its context requirements’, a new requirement has been added: “The organization shall determine whether climate change is a relevant issue.”
• Clause 4.2 – ‘Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties’, a new note has been added: “NOTE: Relevant interested parties can have requirements related to climate change.”

A List of Standards Undergoing Change

The amendments touch a wide array of standards including:

• ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems
• ISO 22301:2019 Business Continuity Management Systems
• ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information Security, Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection
• ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management Systems
• ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
• ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems
• ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems
• ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management Systems

This broad scope indicates ISO's commitment to integrating climate considerations across diverse operational areas.

Looking Ahead 

As ISO and IAF provide further guidance for organizations holding accredited certifications and certification bodies, the global business community is poised at the threshold of a more sustainable and climate-aware operational paradigm. The amendments signal a significant shift towards embedding environmental stewardship into the core of organizational practices, leveraging the widespread adoption of ISO standards as a catalyst for meaningful climate action.

In summary, ISO’s commitment to climate action is reflected in these amendments, emphasizing the need for organizations to integrate climate change considerations into their management systems.

About the Author

Vlerë Hyseni is the Digital Content Specialist at PECB. She is in charge of doing research, creating, and developing digital content for a variety of industries. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact her at: content@pecb.com.