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Revision of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001: What it's all about

The ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management) standards are currently being revised. The focus is on new requirements from practice, society and the environment - including opportunity management, climate relevance and leadership with integrity.

Editorial office - July 28, 2025
Is being revised together with the ISO 9001 standard: ISO 14001 for environmental management. (Image: Depositphotos.com)

The globally recognized ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards are currently undergoing a revision. The aim is to better reflect current requirements from practice, society and the environment. Topics such as opportunity management, climate relevance and leadership with integrity are becoming increasingly important and are being weighted accordingly in the revision.

ISO 9001 - What's new?

The most important planned changes concern the separation of risks and opportunities. Separate chapters are to give equal weight to both aspects. Companies are also required to systematically identify opportunities, e.g. by means of a SWOT analysis. Another point is dedicated to ethical and ethical behavior. In future, the standard will require top management to act as role models and actively demonstrate ethical behavior. Last but not least, there are also cultural aspects and editorial adjustments: For example, the structure of the standard will be revised and cultural influencing factors will be given greater consideration.

ISO 14001 - Which points are under discussion?

The aim of the revision is to clarify existing concepts so that environmental aspects can be better understood and managed more effectively. One focus, for example, is greater clarity in the annex to the standard. More practical information on the requirements for the environmental management system (EMS) is to be found there. There will also be a stronger focus on quality and planning. This is because better planning is central to effective environmental management - especially with regard to changing environmental conditions. The focus will be on the following questions, among others:

  • How are environmental risks and opportunities identified and taken into account?
  • How are environmental targets defined and coordinated with environmental aspects and legal and voluntary obligations?
  • How is the relevance of climate change or other local or global environmental issues assessed for the organization?
  • How is the product life cycle taken into account in the EMS?
  • How is the availability of documented information in the EMS ensured?

Recommendation for companies

Work on the revision is ongoing. Changes are therefore not yet necessary at this time. Nevertheless, it makes sense to address the issues of climate change, opportunity management and responsible leadership at an early stage. The publication of the revised ISO 14001 is planned for March 2026, that of ISO 9001 for fall 2026.

Source: Swiss Association for Standardization (SNV)

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