Climate Change in ISO 9001 — How to Implement Into QMS?

If you’re involved with quality management systems, there’s some important news about changes to ISO 9001 2015 that you should be aware of. The ISO committee has approved the revision of the standard by including the Climate Change part of Clause 4 Context requirements. Let’s break it down in simple terms so you know why does it matter and how to implement into your Quality Management System.

Major Updates from ISO Committee Meeting in Rwanda

Firstly, let’s talk about the big meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, which was the first face-to-face gathering since the COVID-19 outbreak. This October 2023 meeting was a milestone, setting the stage for some critical developments in ISO 9001.

Key Highlights:

Revision of ISO 9001 — A new Work Group (WG29) will spearhead the revision of ISO 9001, with their first meeting scheduled in London in December 2023. The goal is to complete the revision within 24 months, aiming for a 2025 publication.

Now’s your chance to have a say in these changes – get in touch with your National Standards Body such as Standards Australia.

Alignment with ISO 9000 Revision — The revision of ISO 9001 will be closely coordinated with the ISO 9000 update. This collaboration ensures both standards will complement each other, making it easier for you to understand and implement them.

Digitalisation of the Revision Process — The ISO Online Standards Development platform will be utilised, making the revision process more efficient and manageable.

Inclusion of Guidance Material — For the first time, ISO 9001 will include guidance material, aligning with other Management System Standards. This addition should make it easier for you to understand and apply the standard.

Climate Change Considerations — The most significant change is the upcoming amendment to Clause 4 of ISO 9001, focusing on climate change. This amendment, expected in January 2024, emphasises the need for organisations to consider climate change in their operations.

ISO/IEC SMART Project — ISO 9001 will be part of a pilot project to harness the digital power of international standards.

Why Climate Change Matters in ISO 9001?

There’s a widespread misconception that climate change considerations are only relevant for organisations with specific environmental management systems, such as ISO 14001 or ISO 50001.

The reality is that climate change is likely to impact nearly every business in one way or another in the future (it has kind of already!).

Whether it’s through direct environmental effects or shifts in regulatory and market landscapes, the need to adapt and respond to these changes is becoming increasingly critical for maintaining business continuity and achieving objectives.

Many organisations that I audited are already ahead of the curve, having recognised the potential impacts of climate change on their businesses. They’ve integrated this understanding into their strategic planning and operational frameworks.

Whether it’s through modifying existing processes, exploring new market opportunities or enhancing your sustainable stewardship, addressing climate change is now an integral part of quality management practices.

Revised 9001 Standard with Climate Change Language

The ISO 9001 standard will be re-published with the following revisions under clauses 4.1 and 4.2. The amendments are expected to be issued in January 2024. Here’s how it’s going to look:

4.1 Understanding the organization and its context:
The organization shall determine external and internal issues that are relevant to its purpose and that affect its ability to achieve the intended result(s) of its XXX management system.

Adding: “The organization shall determine whether climate change is a relevant issue.”

4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties
 The organization shall determine:
      •   the interested parties that are relevant to the XXX management system;
      •   the relevant requirements of these interested parties;|
      •   which of these requirements will be addressed through the XXX management system.

Adding: “NOTE: Relevant interested parties can have requirements related to climate change.”

How to Implement Climate Change Within QMS?

I recommend beginning with a foundational understanding of “climate” and its global impacts. Utilise various resources like educational videos on YouTube and well-researched articles from reputable sources online. This will not only demonstrate that you’re committed to maintain your ISO certification but also your commitment to the climate related challenges ‘beyond‘.

Here’s a systematic approach aligned with your Quality Management System (QMS):

1. Conduct Risk Review — discussing climate change in your business risk reviews as a first step to reflect on how climate-related issues might affect your business’s resilience and sustainability.

PRO TIP: If your business risk review shows no major connection or influence with climate issues, it’s best to avoid making any changes to your current ISO 9001 quality management system.

2. Engage with Suppliers — Look at your supply chain. Are your suppliers committed to sustainable practices? For instance, if you’re in the retail sector, sourcing products from suppliers who use sustainable materials and processes can reduce your environmental footprint. Consider conducting sustainability audits of your key suppliers or integrating sustainability criteria into your procurement policies.

3. Understand Customer Influence — Reflect on how your products or services influence customer behavior in relation to climate change. If you’re in the technology industry, think about how your products can be designed for energy efficiency or how you can encourage customers to recycle or properly dispose of electronic waste.

4. Set Sustainable Goals — Once you’ve identified areas for improvement, set specific, measurable sustainable targets. For a logistics company, this might mean reducing carbon emissions from your fleet by a certain percentage within a fixed time frame. Clearly define these targets and integrate them into your overall business strategy.

5. Implement into Operations — Begin by evaluating your internal processes. For example, if you’re a manufacturing company, consider the energy efficiency of your machinery. Are there ways to reduce energy consumption or switch to renewable energy sources? Even small changes, like improving insulation in your buildings or optimizing logistics to reduce transportation emissions, can have a significant impact.

6. Communicate Your Efforts — Share your climate action plans and progress with stakeholders (staff, customers, suppliers, contractors and etc). This transparency not only demonstrates your commitment to addressing climate change but can also inspire others in your industry to follow suit. I have seen some companies using such goals as their competitive advantage.

7. Monitor and Improve — After regularly monitoring your progress, implement the necessary improvements where needed. This could involve investing in more energy-efficient technologies, training staff on new procedures or regularly reviewing supplier sustainability performance.

By taking these steps, you’re not just complying with ISO 9001 requirements to show context around climate change but you’re actually demonstrating a commitment to a sustainable future.

What’s Next Update for ISO 9001?

ISO has aligned itself with UN’s ambitious 15-year plan in its 17 pointer Sustainable Goals to address some of the most pressing issues around the world.

As you can see, Climate Change is one of the Sustainable Development Goals and ISO Committee is addressing these global challenges through updates to its standards. Here’s a list of all 17 sustainable goals that you should be aware of:

1. No Poverty: A commitment to ending poverty in all its forms, globally.
2. Zero Hunger: Aiming to eradicate hunger, ensure food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Good Health and Well-being: Focusing on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, at every age.
4. Quality Education: Guaranteeing inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for everyone.
5. Gender Equality: Striving for gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Securing access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, along with full and productive employment.
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and fostering innovation.
10. Reduced Inequalities: Aiming to reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensuring Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns.
13. Climate Action: Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Life Below Water: Conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
15. Life on Land: Protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, managing forests sustainably, combating desertification, and halting and reversing land degradation and biodiversity loss.
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

In my role as an ISO auditor, I frequently encounter organisations grappling with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and related security challenges. Based on these observations, there’s a strong possibility that the next update to the ISO 9001 standard might also focus on ensuring that businesses take cybersecurity seriously.

Final Thoughts

Remember, Climate change in ISO 9001 isn’t just about certification. It’s about aligning your organisation’s vision and mission to consider sustainable goals. This step is crucial for reflecting a commitment to sustainable practices within your quality management system. I suggest you start working on it and go above and beyond!