HomepageServicesManagement System CertificationsISO Management System Standard RevisionenISO 45001:2027 Revision
ISO 45001:2027 Revision
What Companies Need to Know Now About the New ISO 45001
The international standard for occupational health and safety management systems is currently being revised. Although the new ISO 45001 is not scheduled for publication until 2027, key topics and potential changes are already becoming apparent.
Companies should therefore keep a close eye on these developments early on, particularly with regard to new requirements for risk assessment, employee participation, and the effectiveness of measures.
ISO 45001 in Transition: Rethinking Occupational Health and Safety
The revision of ISO 45001 is currently underway as part of the international standardization process. The so-called Committee Draft has already been published; the next step is expected to be a “Draft International Standard” (DIS) before the final draft is adopted.
The revision was prompted by developments that are already shaping occupational health and safety in many organizations today: Remote and hybrid work are fundamentally changing the way people work, mental health challenges are becoming more significant, and work environments are growing increasingly complex. For companies, this means identifying risks more comprehensively and managing and evaluating occupational safety and health measures more systematically.
The goal of the revision is to adapt existing requirements to these challenges. Several key trends are already emerging.
- Integration of Psychosocial Health Aspects
- Consideration of Climate-Related Risks
- Greater employee participation
- Taking Remote and Hybrid Work into Account
From Standard to Practice: How Companies Are Preparing for the Revision
For companies that already have an occupational safety and health management system in place, the revision is not expected to require a complete overhaul. Rather, the focus is on supplementing existing processes in a targeted manner or documenting them more clearly.
The revision is likely to be particularly relevant in areas that have not been systematically addressed to date, such as psychosocial stress, climate-related risks, or new forms of work organization. Here, it is worthwhile to critically examine and further develop existing risk assessments.
Furthermore, the question arises as to how companies can better demonstrate the effectiveness of their measures in the future, both internally and to external audit bodies.
Outlook: The Path to the New ISO 45001
Before the new ISO 45001 is published, the standard will undergo several more international draft phases. For companies, this is an opportunity to assess potential impacts early on and prepare in a targeted manner.
The following steps are recommended for a structured transition:
- Track the revision: Keep a close eye on the standard’s ongoing development.
- Review the management system: Check existing processes and risk assessments for any need for adjustment.
- Expand risk assessment: Incorporate new or changed risk factors into hazard assessments at an early stage.
- Demonstrate effectiveness: Ensure that occupational safety measures can be evaluated and documented transparently. Demonstrate effectiveness: Ensure that occupational safety measures can be evaluated and documented in a traceable manner.