Climate change
Since 23.02.2024, two new requirements apply to several ISO management system standards in section 4.1 on the context of the organisation and in 4.2 on the requirements and expectations of interested parties.
Climate change considerations are to be included.
Contact
Dr. Michael Grünenfelder
Head of Certification Body, Member of the Executive Board
Reason
The London Declaration on Combating Climate Change through Standards was adopted by all ISO member organisations at the 2021 General Assembly and defines ISO's commitment to implementing the global climate agenda.
At the ISO Technical Board meeting on 19 September 2023, the TMB (Technical Management Board) agreed that an addendum on climate change will be added to the overarching ISO/IEC Directives Annex SL (specifically: Part 1, Consolidated ISO addendum, Annex SL, Appendix 2 (Harmonised structure for MSS (management system standards)). This means that an amendment will be published for all ISO standards for management systems to publicise this change to Annex SL.
On 23 February 2024, ISO and IAF published a communiqué on the inclusion of climate change in management system standards. The purpose of this communiqué is to draw attention to the publication of the "Climate Action Amendments" to existing and new ISO standards for management systems (MSS).
This is to ensure that climate change issues are considered by the organisation in the context of the effectiveness of the management system, in addition to all other aspects. These added statements in each management system standard ensure that this issue is not overlooked but considered by all organisations in the design and implementation of the management system.