Introduction
Climate change is no longer an exclusively environmental concern but has become an integral challenge for the business sector. The need to adapt to the new climatic realities has prompted organizations to reconsider their management strategies. In this context, ISO 9001:2015, recognized for its focus on quality management, presents itself as a key tool to guide companies towards more sustainable and resilient management in the face of climate change.
Integrating climate considerations into quality management systems is no longer just an ethical issue, but a strategic decision with broad operational and market benefits. In this article, we will address how ISO 9001:2015 can serve as a basis for proactive management in the face of climate challenges, highlighting the benefits of integrating sustainability into business operations.
The impact of climate change on organizations
Climate change has become one of the biggest threats of the 21st century, with effects ranging from rising global temperatures to extreme weather events. These changes impact not only the environment, but also the business environment, creating risks such as resource scarcity, supply chain disruptions, and new regulatory pressures. However, they also open up opportunities to innovate in areas such as energy efficiency, technological innovation, and social responsibility.
ISO 9001:2015, with its focus on structured and systematic quality management, provides organizations with an opportunity to address these challenges efficiently. By integrating climate concerns into their management systems, organizations can not only mitigate risks, but also strengthen their resilience and ensure their long-term sustainability.
New provisions: ISO 9001:2015 amendment and its climate focus
In line with the London Declaration on Climate Change of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). An amendment was introduced in February 2024 aimed at enriching a set of already existing standards on management systems. The objective is to emphasize the importance of considering the impact of climate change on the ability of organizations to achieve the desired results in their management systems.
In this regard, on February 23, 2024, Amendment 1 was introduced to ISO 9001:2015, which includes specific requirements related to climate change. This amendment affects various management system standards such as ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 50001, among others, and reinforces the need for organizations to integrate climate change into their management systems.
The changes introduced by this amendment focus on section 4, “Context of the organization”, including:
- 4.1 Understanding the organization and its context: The obligation to assess whether climate change is relevant to the organization and how it may influence its operations and results is added.
- 4.2 Stakeholder needs and expectations: Companies should consider whether their stakeholders have specific requirements related to climate change, and how these impact the management system.
Organizations can view climate change as a catalyst for supplier diversification, renewable energy implementation, and sustainable product development. By anticipating the impact of extreme weather events or resource scarcity, companies can better prepare to ensure operational continuity and organizational resilience.
Considerations on the immediate implementation of the amendments in ISO 9001:2015
It is critical to note that the recent amendment to ISO 9001:2015, which explicitly integrates climate change into quality management systems, does not introduce new requirements. The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and ISO have stressed that these amendments should not be interpreted as a change in the fundamental expectations of the standard, but rather as a clarification to the requirements already established.
In their joint statement, the IAF and ISO explained:
“The general intent of the requirements in clauses 4.1 and 4.2 remains unchanged; these clauses already include the need for the organization to consider all internal and external issues that may have an impact on the effectiveness of its management system. These new additions ensure that climate change is considered within the management system and that it is an external factor important enough to require organizations to take it into account now.”
This implies that organizations are already required to consider climate change as an integral part of their analysis of organizational context (clause 4.1) and stakeholder expectations (clause 4.2). The standard, in fact, already required a thorough assessment of the external and internal factors that influence the organization’s ability to meet its objectives, and the amendment reinforces the relevance of climate change within this framework.
Implications for certification and audits
Unlike other regulatory revisions that require a transition period or the issuance of updated certificates, this amendment is immediately applicable. This means that audits from its publication onwards must incorporate climate change assessment as part of the organization’s contextual analysis. However, neither a Transition Plan nor a specific period for its implementation will be issued. Companies already operating under ISO 9001:2015 will be required to adapt without the need for recertification or a formal transition process.
An evolutionary rather than disruptive approach
Importantly, rather than being a disruptive revision, this amendment offers a natural evolution of the standard. Climate change was already a factor implicitly considered in risk and opportunity management, but it now takes on a more explicit strategic importance. Organizations that have implemented a robust and adaptive quality management system, aligned with global trends and sustainability, will be better positioned to respond to this amendment without significant difficulties.
In addition, this approach encourages long-term thinking. In a business world increasingly influenced by climate events, organizations that proactively integrate climate change into their management systems will be able to anticipate risks and take advantage of new market opportunities, thus improving their resilience and competitiveness.
Adopting this amendment quickly and efficiently provides multiple benefits. On the one hand, companies will be able to improve their alignment with the expectations of their stakeholders, who are increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability. It will also enable them to position themselves as leaders in climate change management, which could be a key differentiator in markets where environmental responsibility is increasingly in demand.
On the other hand, this adjustment ensures that organizations not only comply with regulatory requirements and certain management principles but also demonstrate an ethical and strategic commitment to global challenges, which strengthens their image and reputation at the international level.
Benefits of integrating climate change into ISO 9001:2015
Integrating climate change into quality management systems not only represents a step towards regulatory compliance but also brings multiple strategic benefits that strengthen the sustainability and adaptability of organizations:
- Strengthening environmental sustainability: Adopting measures to mitigate environmental impact enables companies to reduce their ecological footprint, contributing to the fight against climate change and promoting sustainable practices that benefit the environment and society in general.
- Proactive regulatory compliance: With increasing regulations related to climate change, organizations implementing ISO 9001:2015/Amd 1:2024 will be better positioned to comply with local and international regulations, minimizing legal risks and improving operational stability.
- Improved corporate reputation: A strong commitment to sustainability not only strengthens the corporate image, but also builds trust and loyalty among consumers, investors, and stakeholders, positioning the organization as a benchmark for responsible practices.
- Reduced operating costs: The adoption of efficient practices in the use of resources and the minimization of waste allows companies to generate significant savings, improving their profitability and capacity to adapt to changes in the market.
- Fostering sustainable innovation: Integrating climate change into the quality management strategy creates opportunities for the development of innovative products and services. This approach not only boosts competitiveness but also contributes to a more sustainable future, where organizations are better prepared to face environmental and social challenges.
Conclusions
Climate change is not only an environmental challenge but a key factor in business sustainability. ISO 9001:2015, with its focus on risk management and its ability to adapt to changing contexts, offers organizations a way to meet this challenge.
Integrating climate change into the quality management system not only strengthens commitment to the environment, but also drives long-term business success. By adopting proactive management aligned with the new provisions of the amended management system standards, organizations can become leaders in a more sustainable and resilient business future.
References
- International Accreditation Forum. (2023). Joint statement on the amendments to ISO 9001:2015 regarding climate change. https://www.iaf.nu
- ISO. (2015). ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management systems – Requirements. International Organization for Standardization.
- ISO. (2018). ISO 31000:2018 – Risk management – Guidelines. International Organization for Standardization.
- ISO. (2024). ISO 9001:2015/Amd 1:2024 – Quality management systems – Requirements – Amendment 1. International Organization for Standardization.
- United Nations. (2021). The climate crisis – A race we can win. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/un75/
- World Economic Forum. (2024). Climate, nature and energy at Davos 2024: What to know. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/01/everything-you-need-to-know-about-climate-and-nature-at-davos-2024/
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