ISO 14001, the international standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS), will be re-issued in March this year as ISO 14001:2026. The updated version reflects how environmental expectations are changing, particularly around climate change, sustainability and supply chains.
At its core, ISO 14001 still helps organisations manage their environmental impacts in a structured and effective way. However, the revised Standard places greater emphasis on understanding wider environmental conditions, such as climate change, pollution and the use of natural resources. Organisations are also expected to take a broader life-cycle view, considering not only their own activities but also impacts linked to suppliers, contractors and end-of-life disposal. Leadership also plays a more visible role in the updated Standard, with increased focus on embedding environmental responsibility into everyday decision-making, rather than treating it as a compliance exercise. There is also a new emphasis on managing change, helping organisations respond to regulatory updates, operational changes and new technologies in a more structured way.
It is currently expected that organisations will have a three-year transition period to move to ISO 14001:2026. However, we here at ESL believe that early preparation can help spread the workload and avoid pressure closer to certification deadlines.
Environmental Strategies Ltd supports organisations at every stage of the process, from understanding what the changes mean in practical terms, through to updating documentation, completing gap analyses and supporting transition to the revised Standard. We work with businesses of all sizes to make ISO 14001 clear, manageable and proportionate.
As part of our BSI Associate Consultant Programme (ACP) membership, we can also help our clients gain first access to the updated Standard, including a pre-order package that provides early access to the Final Draft version as well as guidance for use, all at a discounted price.
Our more detailed summary of the changes is available to download by clicking here.
Please get in touch if you would like support with ISO 14001 or help preparing for the updated Standard.
