Important Dates For ISO Standards:

• New ISO 45001 Standard Will Be Published in March 2018

• ISO 14001:2015 Transition Deadline is September 15, 2018

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has finalized its new standard, ISO 45001, for Occupational Health and Management Systems that will assist organizations with improving employee safety, reducing workplace risks and creating overall healthier and safer working conditions. The final vote on the ISO 45001 standard passed at the end of January with 93% in favor of passage and will replace OHSAS 18001. It is an Integrated Management Standard aligned with the other ISO management systems like 14001 and 9001, thus becoming applicable all over the world and across all business sectors. Many organizations, especially manufacturers, are already registered to ISO 9001 and 14001, and the publication of ISO 45001 is expected to drive many customers and suppliers to require registration to ISO 45001 as well.

The publication of this widely anticipated standard is expected by the end of March 2018. Begin planning now for this certification so that a positive safety culture can be demonstrated not only within your organization but also throughout all customers and clients. After ISO 45001 is published, OHSAS 18001 will be vacated and organizations registered to OHSAS 18001 will have 3 years to transition to ISO 45001.

The ISO 14001:2004 environmental management system (EMS) was revised in 2015. As a result, a three-year transitional period to upgrade to the new version was granted. The deadline for transition to ISO 14001:2015 is September 15, 2018. After that date, certifications to the former version will be outdated and considered non-conformant. An ISO 14001:2015 EMS adds value to organizations by fostering consistency with their environmental policies and achievement of environmental objectives. This is exemplified through continuous improvements, regulatory compliance, and pollution prevention. Such a certification demonstrates for customers/clients and all other business relationships that the organization is managing its environmental responsibilities at the highest level. Do not delay in upgrading to the new version as you could jeopardize your certification status.

By becoming certified in ISO 45001 and transitioning to ISO 14001:2015 the following added benefits will be obtained:

• Demonstrated compliance with regulatory requirements

• Increased involvement from leadership

• Further engagement from employees

• Improved company reputation with customers/clients and other stakeholders

• A financial advantage through improved efficiencies and reduced costs

KERAMIDA is prepared to assist organizations interested in moving forward with these new certifications. We are a full service environmental, health and safety consulting firm that has the technical background and expertise to ensure certification to the new ISO 45001 standard and a smooth transition to ISO 14001:2015. For more information please contact us or call us today at (800) 508-8034 to take the next step.

Blog Author:

Andrew Tirmenstein
Senior Project Manager, Security, Health & Safety Services
KERAMIDA Inc.

Contact Andrew at atirmenstein@keramida.com.