This first revision of the standard since 2018 seems to carry moderate, but important changes.
ISO’s occupational health and safety management system standard ISO 45001 was first released in 2018. Since then, it has become the global benchmark for managing occupational health and safety. The ongoing revision process that started in 2024 has now reached the DIS stage.
A key aim for the revision is to maintain ISO 45001 as a forward-looking standard that represents evolving good practice, and which addresses the emerging occupational health and safety issues and challenges faced by organizations.
This is the first time we see the proposed changes, and overall these can be considered moderate. However, they are more extensive compared to the new editions of ISO 14001 already released and ISO 9001, which is now at the FDIS stage
Tor Gunnar Tollefsen
Global Service Manager for Management Systems
DNV
Among the most significant proposed changes are a stronger emphasis on work-related well-being, greater consideration of workforce diversity, and expanded requirements for identifying hazards to reflect modern ways of working. The draft standard also introduces new requirements related to occupational health, return-to-work processes following injury or ill health, and enhanced controls for externally provided products and services.
Publication of the revised standard is expected in 2027.
While not yet defined, it could be expected that the transition period for companies certified to ISO 45001 will become 3 years, in line with what is decided for ISO 14001 and ISO 9001.
“The proposed changes seem to well reflect relevant trends and challenges within OH&S management. This is important to keep the standard relevant for users” says Tor Gunnar Tollefsen.
