The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has recently issued a significant amendment to clause 4.1 of ISO 9001 (ISO 9001:2015/ Amd1:2024). This amendment, effective immediately, requires organizations to determine if climate change is a relevant issue when assessing factors that impact their ability to achieve the intended results of their management system. Additionally, a note has been added to clause 4.2, indicating that relevant interested parties may have climate change-related requirements. This change affects all management system standards and has sparked considerable discussion among stakeholders.
Given the immediate effect of this amendment, with no lead-in period as per the International Accreditation Forum (IAF)’s decision log, organizations, certification bodies (CBs), and accreditation bodies (ABs) must promptly integrate these new requirements into their processes. In this blog post, we explore the real-world implications of this amendment for certified organizations and provide practical advice on how to comply.
Real-World Impact for Certified Organizations
The core impact of this amendment is straightforward: organizations must now demonstrate that they have assessed whether climate change is a relevant issue to their management system. While documentation of the issues identified is not explicitly required, many organizations may find it beneficial to record their assessment for clarity and future reference. Here are the steps to ensure compliance:
Assess Climate Change Relevance:
- Conduct a thorough evaluation to determine whether climate change affects your organization’s ability to achieve its intended results. This can be integrated into your next management review or addressed in a dedicated additional review session.
Review Interested Parties’ Requirements:
- Identify if any interested parties, such as customers, suppliers, or regulators, have climate change-related requirements. This note in clause 4.2 emphasizes understanding and addressing these expectations within your quality management system.
Demonstrate Your Assessment:
- Be prepared to show certification bodies how you made the decision regarding the relevance of climate change. This involves detailing your process, criteria, and findings. Even though documentation is not mandatory, maintaining a record can facilitate smoother audits and reviews.
Address Relevant Issues:
- If climate change is determined to be a relevant issue, or if interested parties have related requirements, you need to demonstrate how your quality management system addresses these aspects. This might involve implementing new procedures, updating policies, or enhancing current practices to mitigate climate-related risks.
Practical Examples of Climate Change Relevance to a Quality Management System
At first glance, integrating climate change considerations into a quality management system might seem more suited to an environmental management framework. However, there are clear intersections where climate change impacts quality. Here are a couple of examples:
Infrastructure and Maintenance:
- The increased frequency of extreme weather events can affect the maintenance requirements of infrastructure, such as buildings and equipment. Organizations must ensure that their infrastructure can withstand these events to maintain consistent quality in operations and product delivery.
Customer Requirements:
- Customers may have specific requirements for reducing or eliminating emissions during the production, use, and delivery of products and services. Failing to meet these requirements can lead to customer dissatisfaction and impact the perceived quality of your offerings.
By considering both the effects of climate change and its impact on customer satisfaction, organizations can better align their quality management systems with broader environmental and social expectations.
Periodic Review and Adaptation
Organizations should periodically review the relevance of climate change to their operations, especially in the event of significant changes affecting the business environment. This ongoing evaluation ensures that the quality management system remains responsive and effective in addressing emerging challenges and stakeholder requirements.
Conclusion
The immediate integration of climate change considerations into ISO 9001 marks a pivotal shift towards more holistic and responsible management practices. Certified organizations must now actively assess and demonstrate the relevance of climate change to their operations, aligning their quality management systems with evolving environmental standards and stakeholder expectations.
By embracing this amendment, organizations can enhance their resilience, customer satisfaction, and overall sustainability. For further guidance on implementing these changes, reach out to our team of experts, and together, let’s lead the way in integrating quality and environmental stewardship.
