ISO Standards Updates: What Changes Are Coming?

In an increasingly dynamic global environment, international standards must evolve alongside technological advances, new market needs, and emerging challenges related to sustainability and digitalization. For this reason, the ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 176 has initiated a revision of the High-Level Structure (HLS) and other key elements that define the framework of management system standards. This update will directly impact widely adopted standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, among others.

Why are the standards being updated?

These revisions are part of ISO’s systematic process to ensure that its standards remain relevant, useful, and aligned with international best practices. The last significant revision occurred in 2012, and the context has since changed dramatically.

Topics such as digital transformation, sustainability, and risks associated with complex supply chains and global events (like pandemics or geopolitical conflicts) require management systems to be more resilient, proactive, and adaptable.

Key proposed changes

Based on the work of the joint ISO task force and ISO/TC 176, a new draft structure for the HLS has been released, called the “Harmonized Approach” (HA). This updated approach includes:

• Increased focus on sustainability: Explicit integration of concepts such as circular economy, climate change mitigation, and efficient resource use within the management system framework.
• Emphasis on digitalization: Organizations will need to consider the risks and opportunities related to emerging technologies and digital data as a key part of their management systems.
• New definitions and terminology alignment: Revisions of key terms to improve consistency across different ISO standards.
• Greater integration across systems: The new structure is designed to facilitate the integrated implementation of multiple management systems within a single organization.

How does this affect certified organizations?

For organizations already certified to ISO standards, these updates will involve a transition period once the new versions are officially published. While the final timeline is still under development, new versions of standards like ISO 9001 are expected to be released around 2026 and 2027.

During this process, it will be essential for organizations to:

• Stay informed about the latest developments in the standards.
• Evaluate the changes in relation to their organizational context.
• Train their teams on the new requirements.
• Adjust their documentation and practices to align with the new approach.

What about organizations that are not yet certified?

For companies that have not yet begun the ISO certification process, this is a strategic time to get started. Beginning now allows for the adoption of a modern management system structure aligned with future trends in quality, sustainability, and organizational efficiency. Starting fresh under the new requirements can also offer advantages in terms of time, cost, and adaptability.

How TÜV Rheinland North America can support you?

At TÜV Rheinland, we are ready to support both certified organizations and those seeking their first certification. We offer tailored training and audits adapted to each stage of the transition process. Our technical team stays up to date with the latest decisions from the ISO committee, enabling us to guide our clients with confidence, clarity, and reliability. Whether you are reviewing your current management system or building a new one from the ground up, we can be your strategic partner during this regulatory evolution.