ISO 14001 is the internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems. It is applicable to organisations of all sizes and sectors that wish to systematically manage their environmental impacts, monitor compliance with applicable requirements, and improve their environmental performance. 

The new ISO 14001:2026 edition was published in April 2026 and replaces the previous ISO 14001:2015 edition. The revision maintains the fundamental philosophy of the standard while improving the clarity of its requirements and strengthening the connection between environmental management and modern environmental challenges. 

The new edition places increased emphasis on issues such as: 

  • Climate change 
  • Biodiversity 
  • Efficient use of resources 
  • Environmental performance
  • Understanding the context of the organisation 

At the same time, it maintains the life-cycle perspective and the principle of continual improvement, which remain fundamental elements of ISO 14001. 

Transition to ISO 14001:2026 

Organisations already certified according to ISO 14001:2015 will need to transition to the new edition within the transition period to be established by the applicable accreditation and certification framework. The exact requirements, deadlines, and arrangements for implementing the transition will be further defined by the competent accreditation bodies and the relevant guidance to be issued. 

At national level, the process will be implemented in accordance with the guidance and transitional provisions to be established by the Hellenic Accreditation System — ESYD. Until the relevant guidance is issued, interested organisations should monitor official announcements and take into account that ISO 14001:2015 certificates will remain subject to the applicable transition framework. 

Stay Informed 

QMSCERT, as a trusted certification body, monitors developments concerning the new edition of the standard and the transition from ISO 14001:2015 to ISO 14001:2026. 

Once the relevant requirements have been established, QMSCERT will inform interested parties about the assessment and transition process in accordance with ISO 14001:2026. 

To stay informed about developments regarding ISO 14001:2026 and the transition process, you can subscribe to our newsletter here. 

ISO 14001:2026 – New Standard Version