ISO 14001: Anticipated significant changes in 2026

This year, ISO 14001 The International Standard for Environmental Management Systems will be revised. The new edition, ISO 14001:2026, is expected to be published in early 2026 (between January and April 2026, with most sources anticipating March to April) and will replace the current version from 2015. The revision is currently in its final stages: the Draft International Standard (DIS) has been approved by majority of ISO members, and the text is currently being prepared for final voting.

Receive a quote tailored to your needs

+31 (0)88 998 44 00 Contact us Get a quote

The revision of ISO 14001:2026 aims to update and clarify the Standard for Environmental Management systems and adapt it to the new Harmonized Structure (HS) of ISO. Although the scope of the changes will remain limited, several relevant clarifications and additions are expected in order to better adapt the standard to current challenges in the field of environment and sustainability.

Key objectives of the revision

  • The standard will be adapted to the harmonized structure used in all ISO management system standards.
  • Consistency with standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 will be improved.
  • The requirements will be clarified without introducing unnecessary new obligations.
  • Current environmental issues will be given greater prominence.

What will be the changes?

    Stronger Focus on Environmental Context and Life Cycle Perspective

    Chapter 4 requires organizations to apply a mandatory life-cycle perspective when defining the scope and boundaries of their Environmental Management System (EMS).
    It also requires organizations to explicitly consider key environmental issues when determining their organizational context, including climate change, biodiversity, pollution, and natural resource availability.
    This strengthens the standard’s alignment with current sustainability challenges and enhances its relevance to modern environmental management practices.

    New Requirement for Planning and Controlling Changes (Clause 6.3)

    A new clause is introduced that requires organizations to plan and control changes within their environmental management system.
    As a result, ISO 14001 will include a structured process for change management, bringing it into line with other management system standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 and supporting a more systematic approach to managing organizational and operational changes.

    Adjusted Structure in Risk and Opportunity Planning (Clause 6.1)

    In Section 6.1, the order of the elements has been adjusted to clarify the relationship between environmental aspects, compliance obligations, and risks and opportunities.
    The revised structure addresses significant environmental aspects, compliance obligations, risks and opportunities, and the measures to address them in a clearer and more logical order. This provides greater clarity and supports more effective planning and prioritization of environmental objectives.

    Annex A Will Be Clarified and Expanded

    Annex A is being revised and expanded to clarify existing requirements without introducing new obligations. The purpose of these changes is to support a more consistent interpretation and implementation of ISO 14001 across all organizations.

    Improved Consistency with Other ISO Management Standards

    The terminology and structure of ISO 14001 will be aligned with the harmonized structure, which will simplify the integration of multiple management systems. As a result, organizations that also apply standards such as ISO 9001 or ISO 45001 will benefit from increased consistency and improved compatibility of their management systems.

How does it affect Certified Organizations?

  • The changes are expected to be evolutionary rather than fundamental

  • The impact on existing ISO 14001:2015 certificates will likely be limited

  • A transition period will apply, and it is expected to be shorter than the usual three years

  • Early preparation will be advisable

Recommended preparation steps for Certified Organizations

Studying the Draft International Standard (DIS) and identifying relevant changes

Informing and training involved employees

Reviewing whether internal procedures related to:

  • Risk assessment
  • Change management
  • Context and life cycle analysis
    will need to be updated

How Kiwa will support the Organizations

Kiwa will continue to closely follow the ISO 14001 revision through the Dutch Environmental Management Standards Committee (NEN) and will share updates as soon as the final text becomes available.

Once the standard is published, Kiwa will support organizations with:

  • Practical guidance on implementing new or updated requirements

  • Gap analyses and audits to assess potential impacts

  • Training sessions on ISO 14001:2026 and its key content changes

Stay Informed

Would you like to stay up to date on developments related to ISO 14001:2026?
Follow our updates via our website and LinkedIn, or contact your Kiwa auditor or account manager.

Related services

Functional Safety Testing for Safety Critical Systems

Functional Safety ensures that electrical, electronic and programmable systems operate safely even when faults occur. Whether used in industrial automation, transportation, energy, medical equipment or other high-risk environments, these systems must be designed and validated to avoid failures that could cause accidents, production stoppages or damage to people, assets and the environment. Kiwa supports companies throughout the entire Functional Safety lifecycle, from design and risk assessment to testing, according to the main international standards. Our experts work with your engineering and development teams to ensure compliance, reliability and readiness for market access.

Kiwa lab employee in a laboratory setting focusing intently on a computer screen, wearing a light blue shirt; Lab filled with technical equipment