Introduction

In the realm of Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ), standing still is never an option. The global standards that underpin our management systems are constantly evolving to meet new challenges. This year, 2025, marks a pivotal moment as the Draft International Standards (DIS) for both ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) have been released.

With the final publications anticipated in 2026, businesses across the UK and Ireland need to start planning their transition strategy now. This isn’t just about maintaining certification; it’s about ensuring your management systems are robust, relevant, and resilient.

ISO 14001 (Environmental Management):

The update to ISO 14001 strengthens the emphasis on proactive environmental performance rather than mere compliance.2

• Climate Action Integration: As mentioned, this is central. Organisations will need to systematically determine which climate change issues are relevant to their operations and the expectations of their interested parties.
• Lifecycle Perspective: The revision reinforces the need for a full lifecycle perspective when assessing environmental aspects and impacts.
• Value Chain Influence: There is a stronger mandate to control or influence outsourced processes. IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) highlights the growing importance of sustainable supply chains in achieving genuine environmental goals.

ISO 9001 (Quality Management)

ISO 9001 is being tuned up to ensure relevance in a complex, digital global market.

• Customer Focus Reinforcement: The standard is expected to place even greater emphasis on meeting and predicting future customer needs and expectations.
• Management of Change: The revision introduces more structured requirements for managing organisational change, ensuring quality is maintained during transitions.

Data and Knowledge Management: Reflecting the digital age, elements concerning the security, integrity, and management of information within the QMS are being strengthened.

Navigating the Transition

Typically, organisations are given a three-year transition period after the final publication.3 However, delaying action is risky. Standards bodies, such as Ireland’s NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) and the UK’s BSI (British Standards Institution), recommend early preparation.

Furthermore, the accreditation bodies that oversee certification providers the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) will enforce the transition deadlines strictly.

Here is how UK and Irish businesses can prepare:

1. Conduct a Gap Analysis: Evaluate your current QMS and EMS against the requirements outlined in the DIS.

1. Invest in Training: Ensure your HSEQ teams, internal auditors, and senior management understand the implications of the changes.
2. Engage Leadership: The success of these standards relies heavily on top management commitment (Clause 5). 4 Start the conversation at the board level now.

The upcoming revisions are an opportunity to refine your processes and demonstrate your commitment to quality and sustainability.

Are you ready to prepare for the 2026 ISO updates? AcornStar provides expert HSEQ Consultancy Services and comprehensive training courses across the UK and Ireland. Contact us today to discuss your transition strategy.