About ISO 14001:2026

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ISO 14001:2026 is the revised edition of the international standard that specifies the requirements for an Environmental Management System (EMS). This 2026 edition concurrently exists alongside ISO 14001:2015 while the latter is gradually phased out by April 30, 2029.

Organizations set up and implement an EMS as a framework to manage the aspects and impacts of their operations on the environment, while aligned with their defined environmental policy and environmental performance objectives. A meaningful EMS is one that is aligned with the organization’s strategic goals.

The risk-based approach of ISO 14001:2026 helps organizations, regardless of size and activity, achieve environmental performance effectiveness. With results driven management leadership, continual improvements arising from change management, and sound controls over their functions and processes to deliver environmental objectives, organizations are increasingly able to meet their stakeholders’ needs and expectations, especially those dealing with climate change and other ESG related priorities. Measurable benefits from pollution control, energy efficiency and waste reduction actions as well as continual improvements to their EMS arising from a Plan-Do-Check-Act and life cycle approach reward organizations with better resource optimization, improved profitability and consistent regulatory compliance.

Organizations certified to ISO 14001:2026 demonstrate to their stakeholders that they have a functioning EMS, as affirmed by an independent third party. Certification helps build their reputation as responsible corporate citizens while experiencing improved business performance and wider market acceptance of their products and services.

CIP certifies organizations to ISO 14001:2026 that successfully complete CIP’s audit of their EMS against the criteria of the standard.

Organizations currently certified to ISO 14001:2015 will be guided towards transitioning their EMS and its eventual certification to ISO 14001:2026. The transition period is 3 years until April 30, 2029. To maintain their certified status, organizations currently certified to ISO 14001:2015 should be able to complete successfully a transition audit of their EMS to ISO 14001:2026 not later than April 30, 2029.