Climate change in MS standards
For the first months of 2024, ISO is foreseeing an amendment to all management system standards to implement ISO’s London Declaration (2021), which aims to include active consideration of climate change consequences in the international standards.
The proposed amendment is an additional requirement in the context analysis, which includes an explicit requirement that companies have to determine whether climate change is a relevant issue. Furthermore, a note was added which states that relevant interested parties can have requirements related to climate change.
Currently, the RvA is considering how these changes have to be introduced by the accredited certification bodies. This should include an acceptable transition period, that will enable organisations and certification bodies to prepare for these changes. The IAF advice on this matter will be awaited, so that the RvA may implement the principles of a level playing field in introducing these changes. As soon as these rules have been determined, they will be published on our website.