Upgrade your EMS to ISO 14001:2026
The world of QSE is in a state of flux: each of the three standards that form the framework for quality, environmental, and occupational safety management is evolving. ISO 14001, which stands for the "E" in QSE, is the first to be released in a new version. The NF EN ISO 14001:2026 standard thus replaces NF EN ISO 14001:2015. We are now awaiting ISO 9001 in the fall of 2026 and ISO 45001 in 2027.
Environmental protection
To all environmental management system leaders and managers: a new version of the ISO 14001 standard is now available! This 2026 edition does not introduce any new requirements per se, but rather includes a series of additions and clarifications. “ The core curriculum remains unchanged, with Chapter 6 reorganized. In Section 6.1.2, for example, the concept of a life-cycle perspective is clarified to better account for aspects and impacts across the entire value chain “explains Erwan Chagnot, chair of the expert group within the AFNOR standards committee on environmental management and head of the French delegation to ISO.”
We are shifting from a focus on compliance to a focus on performance
, summarizes Franck Lebeugle, director of standardization activities at AFNOR. In this spirit, ISO 14001 is confirmed as the environmental pillar of CSR, as defined in ISO 26000. All of this is approached through a dual materiality framework, as seen in an increasing number of CSR frameworks: the standard recommends assessing the extent to which the organization impacts its ecosystem ( inside out ), but also, conversely, to what extent this ecosystem impacts the organization (from the outside in) ).
It should be noted that, initially, the international community was not planning a complete overhaul of the text, but rather a minor revision. « Within the ISO committee, chaired by the United States and with a Canadian secretariat, a consensus was finally reached to overhaul the 2015 text and update it “says Vincent Morisset, who chairs the French committee hosted by AFNOR on behalf of EDF.” Here's what we had to say about it at the time of the public hearing in France, in early 2025.
What's new in the 2026 version of ISO 14001?
The 2026 version of ISO 14001 does not introduce any new requirements but highlights five major trends:
- Greater consideration of emerging issues and planetary boundaries (climate change, biodiversity, water, soil, greenhouse gases, etc.). These emerging issues are taken into account in the standard’s purpose, in defining its scope, in identifying significant environmental aspects (SEAs), and in the operational control of the entire value chain. The concept of control over externalities—which should be distinguished from the concept of influence—has been redefined in Section 8.1.
- Taking environmental considerations into account at every stage of the life cycle, from cradle (extraction of raw materials needed for production) to grave (end-of-life recovery). A note has been added to the text of the requirements, and explanatory notes have been added to Annex §A6.1.2.
- The rollout of the SME across the entire value chain . This concept, which appears in section 8.1 and is related to the “Managing externalities” means that the company is encouraged to extend its commitments to sound environmental practices to its service providers and suppliers. It bridges the gap between EMS requirements and procurement requirements. It encourages companies to align the act of managing with the act of influencing.
- Clarifying the risk/opportunity approach and change management (Complete reorganization of Chapter 6). A chapter dedicated to risks and opportunities has been added. The 2026 version of ISO 14001 also includes a new chapter designed to strengthen the planning and effective implementation of change. Organizations must improve their change management, meaning they must better anticipate, respond to, and manage organizational and technical changes.
- Expanding leadership in environmental culture and performance. Management must succeed in developing a culture (" awareness ") that requires its employees—not just managers—and those working on its behalf to contribute to achieving the EMS objectives. In this sense, ISO 14001 follows the lead of ISO 9001, which promotes a culture of quality in its 2026 version.
How do you transition an environmental management system to the 2026 version?
The release of the new version of ISO 14001 is significant for the hundreds of thousands of companies around the world that, since the origins of the standard thirty years ago ... have adopted it to structure their environmental approach in order to minimize their impact, whether or not they choose to seek certification. In fact, it is the second most widely used ISO standard in the world, after ISO 9001 for quality! You can find, by downloading our report here , the strengths and weaknesses identified in the certification audits conducted by AFNOR Certification on the 2015 version of the standard.
For those pursuing certification, the release of Version 2026 marks the start of a three-year transition period: they will need to conduct a transition audit within three years of the publication date of the new version of the standard. This transition audit can be conducted during an upcoming Stage 1 or Stage 2 surveillance audit, or during a recertification audit. Are you certified under the 2015 version? You can conduct your follow-up and renewal audits using this older version until the end of 2028, enough time to prepare for the transition audit under Version 2026. But In 2029, your follow-up or renewal audit must be conducted in accordance with the 2026 version. Listen again to our Webinar on March 12, 2026 Learn more!
What are the upcoming AFNOR events?
- Workshop on April 16, 2026, in Nancy
- Workshop on April 21, 2026, in Angoulême
- Workshop on April 29, 2026, in Orléans
- Workshop on April 30, 2026, in Pau
- Workshop on June 18, 2026, in Calais
An expert's perspective: "A standard that keeps pace with the times"
Auditor, trainer, and author of Standard Explained: NF EN ISO 14001:2026 At AFNOR Editions, Agnès Gillet-Torres discusses the release of the 2026 version of the standard with us.
If there is one key change to note in the 2026 version of the ISO 14001 standard, what would it be?
Let me mention two: first, the fact that in the definition of the context, environmental issues—which had previously been very general—have been specified: resources, biodiversity, ecosystems, pollution, etc. The 2024 amendment on climate change had paved the way. The standard also aligns with the nine planetary boundaries, seven of which have been exceeded: it’s keeping up with the times! The second new feature is the life-cycle approach, which has been strengthened in this version. This ensures we don’t miss the mark: in a business setting, it’s good to sort office paper, but if the product I manufacture generates significant environmental impacts at the end of its life, I must undoubtedly work to better manage this aspect, even if I’m not directly in control of it. This line of thinking encourages us to look beyond the strict scope of our own activities and take into account those of others around us.
Why does ISO 14001 still have a place in businesses, thirty years later?
Because it provides a structured approach. It allows us to focus on the real issues without getting sidetracked or making environmental decisions based on guesswork. It encourages us to identify priority areas, which, once explored, lead us to address the next ones. Finally, the standard enables monitoring. And at a time when regulatory measures, such as the CSRD Directive, require reporting based on specific indicators, rigorous monitoring is essential. So yes, ISO 14001 definitely has its place; I see this firsthand in the many companies I’m helping to implement the system.
Is the standard still the sole responsibility of the environmental manager, or does it apply to others in the organizational chart?
The standard is intended for everyone. The environmental manager acts as the conductor, setting the direction, but every employee plays an active role—for example, by sharing ideas or volunteering to serve as a liaison on the ground. Although this aspect is less prominent than in the ISO 9001 quality standard, the focus on culture, awareness, and education remains important.
