International management system standards evolve to reflect emerging business priorities, changing expectations and new global challenges. In 2026, environmental management entered a new phase with the publication of ISO 14001:2026, while the revision of ISO 9001:2015 Quality management systems continues to progress.
For organizations already certified or considering certification, these developments provide an opportunity to review existing management systems, strengthen performance and prepare for future requirements.
ISO 14001:2026: strengthening environmental performance
Published in April, ISO 14001:2026 brings key updates to the environmental management systems (EMS) standard. Building on the trusted ISO 14001 framework, the revised standard reflects growing global priorities, including climate resilience, biodiversity and sustainable resource use, while clarifying and strengthening existing requirements.
It introduces revisions across multiple clauses to enhance clarity, traceability and accountability and includes updated terminology, refined content and a stronger emphasis on environmental performance, while retaining the core Annex SL structure.
Among the most notable developments are:
- Greater consideration of environmental conditions such as climate change, pollution and biodiversity
- Stronger lifecycle perspective when defining the scope of the EMS
- Structured approach to EMS-related change management
- Enhanced operational control extending to externally provided processes, products and services
- Explicit requirement to evaluate environmental performance and EMS effectiveness
- Clearer links between performance evaluation, corrective actions and continual improvement
These changes are intended to improve consistency, accountability and traceability while helping organizations demonstrate the effectiveness of their environmental management practices.
The future of ISO 9001: what to expect
The sixth edition of ISO 9001 is currently under development and is expected to replace ISO 9001:2015 in September 2026. This revision aims to ensure the standard remains relevant by addressing modern business needs and evolving stakeholder expectations.
The future edition will build on the existing ISO 9001:2015 framework while maintaining the Annex SL-based structure. According to current published information, the revision is expected to introduce editorial improvements, subtle shifts in emphasis and refinements that strengthen the quality management system (QMS) framework and consider emerging themes. Several areas may be clarified or restructured to improve readability and implementation.
It will consider a number of emerging business priorities, including:
- Digitalization and emerging technologies
- Sustainability and ESG alignment
- Enhanced risk-based thinking and organizational resilience
- Leadership, ethics and quality culture
- Broader stakeholder engagement
- Organizational knowledge and competence
It is also expected to include:
- Clearer guidance for service organizations
- Expanded Annex A implementation guidance
Once published, the new edition will provide organizations with an opportunity to review and update their quality management systems in line with the revised requirements. The revision also offers an opportunity to realign quality management systems with strategic objectives, refresh stakeholder engagement, reinforce quality culture and ethical practices, and maintain certification and audit readiness. Certified organizations will be given a transition period to implement the changes.
Why these developments matter
Management system standards evolve to remain relevant as business priorities, technologies and environmental challenges change.
For organizations already certified, the publication of ISO 14001:2026 provides an opportunity to review their environmental management systems, assess the impact of the new requirements and begin planning their transitions.
Similarly, although the sixth edition of ISO 9001 is still under development, understanding the direction of the revision can help organizations anticipate potential changes, monitor official developments and prepare for the future transition.
Taking a proactive approach can help reduce the effort required during future transition audits while supporting continual improvement across management systems.
How to prepare for the transition
Whether your organization is certified to ISO 14001, ISO 9001 or both, early preparation can make the transition more efficient.
A practical approach may include:
- Reviewing your existing management system against the published ISO 14001:2026 requirements
- Monitoring official information on the upcoming ISO 9001 edition
- Identifying potential gaps in current processes and documented information
- Updating internal training so relevant personnel understand the forthcoming changes
- Reviewing leadership involvement, risk management processes and performance evaluation activities
- Planning transition activities well ahead of certification deadlines
Supporting your transition
Preparing for revised management system standards starts with reliable information, practical guidance and a clear understanding of the transition process.
Whether you are maintaining an existing certification or implementing a management system for the first time, as a global certification body and training provider, we can support you throughout your transition. Our experts closely monitor the latest developments, expected transition timelines and key considerations, providing reliable, up-to-date guidance.
Our services include:
- Transition training
- Gap assessments and readiness audits
- Guidance to support transition planning
- Certification and transition audits
- Integrated management systems (IMS) support for ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and more
Looking ahead
The publication of ISO 14001:2026 and the forthcoming sixth edition of ISO 9001 mark the next stage in the evolution of internationally recognized management system standards.
By understanding these developments early and taking a structured approach to the transition, organizations can strengthen their management systems, maintain certification and continue improving their environmental and quality performance.
Whether you are preparing to transition to ISO 14001:2026 or following the progress of the next edition of ISO 9001, we can support you with transition training, gap assessments, readiness audits and certification services tailored to your organization’s needs.
For further information, please contact:
Daniel Julie
Regional Sales and Business Development Manager
Business Assurance
t: +230 696 8808
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
