ISO 9001 2024 Update Under Review: Everything You Need to Know

Big news for all quality professionals! The upcoming revision of ISO 9001 Quality Management System is set to replace the 2015 version by 2026. Currently under review, ISO 9001:2024 introduces important changes, focusing heavily on sustainability, ethics, and leadership. I already published this on my LinkedIn newsletter, here I’ll walk you through the most significant updates and explain how your business can stay ahead of the game.

Key Updates in ISO 9001:2024

The 2024 version is going to bring several updates (may not be necessary – see review committee details!) that could significantly impact how you manage your Quality Management System (QMS). Let’s break down the big ones:

1. New Definitions (Clause 3)

ISO 9001:2024 update includes 20 new definitions from ISO 9000, helping to clear up confusing terminology and streamline interpretations.

What This Means for You: Your QMS documentation and processes need to reflect these new definitions to avoid miscommunication and errors.

2. Climate Change Consideration (Clause 4.1)

The 9001 standard may require businesses to assess the impact of climate change within their operational context. This is a major shift towards sustainability, aligning ISO with global environmental trends.

What This Means for You: Conduct a climate risk assessment, and identify areas where climate-related factors could disrupt your business operations.

3. Expanded Stakeholder Engagement (Clause 4.2)

The section on interested parties now includes more detailed guidance, particularly around those who care about sustainability (e.g., environmental groups, regulators, and communities).

What This Means for You: It’s time to engage with stakeholders who have concerns about climate change and other sustainability goals.

4. Leadership and Ethics (Clause 5.1)

Leadership is getting a revamp in ISO 9001:2024, with a new emphasis on ethics and integrity. Management must actively promote these values and align the company’s mission and culture with them.

What This Means for You: Your leadership team will need to demonstrate real involvement in promoting a quality-focused culture.

Why These Changes Matter

ISO is adapting to meet new global challenges—primarily climate change and ethical leadership. Businesses need to start looking at the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as these are increasingly integrated into ISO standards.

What’s Driving These Changes?

• Sustainability: Climate change is now a real factor in business risk, and organizations are expected to address it.
• Ethics and Leadership: Businesses are now required to show leadership in promoting integrity and a positive organizational culture.

Preparing for ISO 9001:2024 Update – 3 Quick Tips

Here are some actionable steps you can take now to get ready for the changes:

1. Start Your Climate Risk Assessment
   Evaluate the effects of climate change on your business, from supply chain disruptions to changing regulations. Incorporate these risks into your existing QMS processes.
2. Engage with Stakeholders
   Make a list of stakeholders who are concerned about sustainability, and regularly consult them on your QMS. This might include regulators, customers, or community organizations.
3. Get Leadership Involved
   Your top management should actively promote a culture of quality and ethics. This might mean more frequent involvement in quality reviews or publicly endorsing your company’s mission and values.

What Will Auditors Be Looking For?

If you’re wondering what to expect during an audit, here are the top three areas where ISO auditors will focus in 2024:

1. Climate Change
   Auditors will check if your business has assessed climate risks and incorporated them into your QMS.
2. Stakeholder Engagement
   You’ll need documentation showing how you engage with stakeholders, particularly those with a sustainability focus.
3. Leadership Role
   Auditors will want proof that top management is actively promoting quality, ethics, and a strong company culture.

The Challenges and Benefits of ISO 9001:2024

Benefits:

• Better Alignment with Global Sustainability Trends: Addressing climate change makes your business more competitive and future-ready.
• Stronger Leadership: A more hands-on role for leadership will lead to a stronger, quality-driven culture.

Challenges:

• More Complexity: Integrating climate-related risks into your QMS could require more resources and expertise.
• Leadership Involvement: Ensuring top management remains consistently engaged can be tough, especially in larger organizations.

FAQs

Wrapping Up

ISO 9001:2024 is a significant step forward in modernizing quality management, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and ethical leadership. The time to start preparing is now—so don’t wait until 2026!

Got questions or thoughts about these new updates? Let me know—I’d love to hear from you.