Preparing for the 2026 ISO 14001 Update
What organisations need to know
9 February 2026
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Significant updates to several core ISO management system standards are scheduled from 2026 onwards, creating understandable interest — and uncertainty — for many organisations. One of the most anticipated is the revision to ISO 14001, the Environmental Management Systems (EMS) standard, with the new version expected in April 2026, wherein certified organisations will be subject to a 3-year transition period.
These changes strengthen the standard’s alignment with today’s most pressing environmental challenges and place greater emphasis on organisational resilience, leadership engagement, and performance‑driven improvement.
Key changes in the 2026 ISO 14001 revision
Every clause of ISO 14001 has undergone some level of revision — from improved clarity to the introduction of entirely new requirements. Below is a streamlined overview of the key updates and what they mean in practice.
Clause 4 – Context of the organisation
- Explicit inclusion of environmental conditions — such as biodiversity — when assessing internal and external factors that may influence the EMS.
- Stronger emphasis on life cycle impacts when determining the scope of the EMS.
Clause 5 – Leadership and commitment
- Leadership must now demonstrate support across all organisational roles, rather than only managerial functions — reinforcing the need for whole‑organisation engagement.
- Compliance obligations are now to be met, not simply “fulfilled,” elevating the expectation of demonstrable assurance.
Clause 6 – Planning
- Restructured clause, including a new requirement for documenting the identification of risks and opportunities.
- Emergency situations must be distinguished from abnormal conditions when assessing aspects and impacts.
- Introduction of a formal management of change requirement, offering alignment opportunities with quality management processes where relevant.
Clause 7 – Support
- Primarily editorial improvements and clarification of existing expectations.
Clause 8 – Operation
- Enhanced focus on the control of externally provided processes — strengthening oversight of suppliers, contractors, and outsourced activities.
Clause 9 – Performance evaluation
- Shift in emphasis from monitoring to evaluating environmental performance and system effectiveness.
- Requirement to define specific objectives for internal audits.
- Management review now centres on results rather than outputs.
Clause 10 – Improvement
- Original 10.1 removed and consolidated into a revised 10.2.
- The requirement for continual improvement is expanded to ensure that identified opportunities are explicitly linked to performance evaluation findings.
Where to start?
The overarching theme of the 2026 revision is clear: organisations must demonstrate a deeper understanding of how they both influence — and are influenced by — environmental change.
Climate impacts, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem health are no longer peripheral considerations; they are central to strategic decision‑making and long‑term resilience. Transitioning to the updated standard will therefore require:
- visible and sustained leadership engagement
- cross‑organisational alignment
- credible, evidence‑based assessment of environmental risks and opportunities
Starting early will help organisations avoid compliance pressure, build internal capability, and unlock strategic value from their EMS — rather than treating the revision as a purely technical exercise.
How Anthesis can help
Anthesis works with organisations worldwide to design, integrate, and elevate management systems that drive measurable sustainability impact. Our specialists can support you to:
- navigate the transition to the updated ISO 14001
- integrate environmental, quality, and other management systems
- conduct internal audits and system performance reviews
- strengthen governance, risk processes, and continual improvement
- build a future‑ready EMS that supports resilience and long‑term value
You can learn more about our services on the Management Systems and Certifications page.
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Speak with our experts and discover how we can support you in creating impactful, purpose-driven communications for your brand.
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