UPDATES IN THE ISO 45001 REVISION
As the new ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards near publication, ISO 45001—focused on occupational health and safety management systems—is also undergoing its scheduled revision. This standard applies to all organizations aiming to effectively manage health and safety risks in the workplace.
ISO 45001 revision: where do we stand?
In July, the ISO/CD 45001 (Committee Draft) was published—the first official draft of the revised standard.
A public comment phase followed, and the feedback is now being reviewed by Working Group WG6, which is responsible for the update process.
In January 2026, the second version of the first Committee Draft was published which, in addition to including the changes to the main body of the standard following the review of the comments received during the first international inquiry, also includes the draft of the informative Annex A.
What are the main changes introduced in the new ISO 45001 edition?
While the content may evolve during the approval process, several significant updates are already emerging compared to the current version:
- Explicit focus on employee well-being, not just health and safety
- Inclusion of new work models, such as remote work
- Emphasis on diversity (gender, age, disability, etc.)
- Integration of climate change into the standard
- Focus on technological evolution, including artificial intelligence (AI).
The new standard is expected to be published in 2027.
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How to prepare for the new edition of ISO 45001
The revised ISO 45001 includes notes referencing several ISO guidelines that support the implementation of its requirements. These guidelines help organizations that have already embraced a progressive safety culture—extended to all workers and integrated with sustainability—and offer insights for those yet to make this shift:
- ISO 45003:2021 – Occupational health and safety management — Psychological health and safety at work - Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks
- ISO 45006:2024 - Occupational health and safety management — Guidelines for organizations on preventing, controlling and managing infectious diseases
- ISO/PAS 45007:2025 - Occupational Health and Safety Management – OH&S risks arising from climate change and climate action — Guidelines for organizations
- ISO/CD 45008:2025 - Occupational health and safety management — Guidelines for remote working
- ISO/DIS 45010:2025 - Occupational health and safety management – Menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace – Guidance.