ISO has made some exciting updates to several Management System Standards, putting a spotlight on tackling climate change head-on. These changes emphasise the crucial role of integrating climate change considerations into organisational management systems.
So, what’s new?
Well, to boost awareness and action on climate change within organisations, ISO has introduced two key tweaks within Clause 4:
In the past, Clause 4.1 talked about understanding the organisation and its context. Now, it’s got a new addition: “The organisation shall determine whether climate change is a relevant issue.”
And as for Clause 4.2, which dealt with understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties, it now includes a note that says, “Relevant interested parties can have requirements related to climate change.”
While the main essence of Clauses 4.1 and 4.2 remains the same, these new inclusions ensure that climate change gets its due consideration within the management system.
The standards
It affects a range of standards across different sectors, from Quality management (ISO 9001) to Energy management (ISO 50001) and beyond. Yep, it’s a big deal, showing how vital it is for all businesses to tackle climate change in their operations.
Alcumus ISOQAR products impacted includes: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001, ISO 22301, ISO 50001, ISO 22000 and ISO 20000
What do these changes mean for your business?
Now, if your organisation is already certified, no need to panic. You won’t need a brand-new certificate, and there’s no rush to transition to a new version of the standard. Instead, the focus is on enhancing up your existing certification to include climate change considerations.
But here’s the catch: You have to weave climate change considerations into the very fabric of your management system(s). And remember, it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. The impact of climate change can vary a lot depending on your industry, scope, and location. So, it’s up to you to figure out if climate change is relevant for your business and if it is, make sure your management systems reflect that.
Got multiple management systems? If climate change is relevant to you, you have to tackle it in each and every one of them.
Exciting stuff, right? So, let’s get started and make our businesses climate change champions!
