Revision of ISO 45001:2027
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is currently working on a revision of the world’s leading management system standard for occupational health and safety, ISO 45001. With this revision, ISO is responding to changes in the working environment as well as to new expectations from organizations, employees, and other interested parties. The aim is to further strengthen the effectiveness of occupational health and safety management systems and to ensure their continued contribution to safe and healthy working conditions in the future.
Key expected changes in ISO 45001
The current draft version at the Draft International Standard (DIS) level indicates that topics such as leadership responsibility, safety culture, psychosocial risks, changing forms of work, and consideration of different employee needs (such as returning to work after an injury or illness or change management) could be given greater consideration in the future.
The harmonized structure (HS) of the standard will be retained so that existing management systems can continue to be built on a familiar foundation. At the same time, existing requirements will be reviewed, clarified, and adapted to developments in the modern working world. With the publication of the Final Draft International Standard (FDIS), a much clearer picture of the proposed changes will become available.
ISO Revision Procedure
The updating and further development of ISO management system standards follow a clearly structured, international process based on the ISO directives. The aim is to ensure that standards always meet current practical requirements, stakeholder expectations, and global challenges.
A key element is the mandatory review of every ISO management system standard no later than five years after its publication. As part of this review, a decision is made as to whether the standard should be confirmed, amended, revised or withdrawn. This decision is based on a comprehensive analysis of its application to date and feedback from the field.
Valuable inputs are provided by the international user surveys conducted by the Technical Committees. These surveys capture the experiences, strengths, weaknesses and needs of users and stakeholders worldwide. The results of the surveys are directly incorporated into the decision-making process for the further development of the standards.
A further step is the «ISO Design Specification Process». Here, the scope, project plan and framework conditions for each revision are defined. The «Design Specification» is internationally coordinated and contains the framework and requirements for the actual revision of the standard for the appointed expert group.
After completion of each revision, a final review is carried out. This review checks whether the defined objectives have been achieved and what insights have been gained from the revision process. These learning experiences are documented and serve as a basis for future improvements in the standardisation process.
These systematic and transparent mechanisms ensure that ISO management system standards are continuously developed and adapted to new challenges – in the interest of all certified organizations and their stakeholders.
Publications and transitional arrangements
Global ACI (formerly International Accreditation Forum (IAF)) will publish binding guidelines for the conversion of existing certificates to the revised standard. SQS will inform its customers as soon as the relevant information is available. The transition period is usually three years.
|
Milestone |
ISO 45001:2027 |
|
Draft standard (DIS) |
June 16, 2026 – September 8, 2026 in consultation |
|
Draft standard (FDIS) |
expected no earlier than the end of 2026 |
|
Publication of standard (IS) |
expected no earlier than April 2027 |
The dates mentioned are based on the current status of the international revision process; adjustments remain reserved until the final standard is published.
Draft International Standard (DIS), Final Draft International Standard (FDIS), Internationaler Standard (IS)
Transition rules issued by Global ACI (formerly IAF)
| Milestone | Deadline | Due date | Who is affected |
| Standard published | – | Still pending | ISO 45001:2027 published |
| Accreditation bodies (AB) ready to assess | + 6 months | ABs must be able to offer accreditation/transition services (According to the Global ACI conversion rules) |
|
| Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) declare transition capability | + 9 months | Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) must formally declare that they are capable to perform the Transition | |
| Transition of Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) completed | + 12 months | All CABs must be transitioned to the new standard by their accreditation body | |
| No new / initial certifications under ISO 45001:2018 | + 18 months | As of this date, no new ISO 45001:2018 certificates can be issued | |
| Final deadline for all organisations | + 36 months | All existing ISO 45001:2018 certificates will lose their validity; the transition must be completed |
This is a standard procedure. Global ACI has not yet published the official requirements for the transition to ISO 45001:2027. Until then, changes are subject to change.
In Switzerland, the new standards can be obtained and licensed from the Swiss Standards Association (SNV) once they have been published.
They are an important basis for users to further develop their management system.
Conversion of the management system
To prepare for the changeover to the new standard, we recommend that our customers take the following steps:
#1 – Check changes
Get an early overview of the changes in the revised standard, for example from the FDIS (Final Draft International Standard) stage onwards.
#2 – Observe the Deadline
From the date of publication of the new standard, a transition period of three years generally applies. SQS customers may make the adjustment of their certification documents as part of a regular surveillance, recertification or extraordinary surveillance audit. A certain additional effort must be expected for the assessment of the changed requirements.
#3 – Promote understanding
Ensure that all relevant stakeholders are trained and understand the new features and clarifications.
#4 – Analysis and implementation plan
Analyse potential gaps in the existing management system, derive the necessary measures and develop a structured implementation plan.
#5 – Adjust system
Make the necessary adjustments and update your management system.
#6 – Internal audit
Verify successful implementation as part of your internal audits.
#7 – Plan an audit with SQS
Coordinate the upcoming audit activities with SQS after publication of the IS.
With a deliberately focused range of services, SQS supports its customers in the effective implementation and application of the new requirements:
-
SQS live webinars on standard revision
-
Transition process within the framework of joint audit planning
