To All Certified Organizations,
On February 22, 2024, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) jointly issued the "Joint Communiqué on the Inclusion of Climate Change Considerations in Management System Standards" and the relevant key content of IAF Resolution (No. 24/11/01). These documents require that all management system standards (including those under revision) incorporate considerations for climate change. The two additional requirements regarding an organization's consideration of climate change issues are as follows:
4.1 Understanding the Organization and Its Context: The organization shall determine whether climate change is an external or internal factor and risk that affects its ability to achieve the intended outcomes of the *** management system.
4.2 Understanding the Needs and Expectations of Interested Parties: The organization shall determine the climate change-related requirements of interested parties relevant to the *** management system and whether they are addressed through the system's operation.
To further assist all certified organizations in better adapting to this change and proactively responding to it, and to enhance the understanding and implementation of incorporating climate change considerations into ISO management systems, Zhong Sheng De Shang Inspection & Certification (Chengdu) Co., Ltd. (CRC) hereby notifies the following matters:
I. Intent of the Change:
The intent is to ensure that organizations consider climate change factors, in addition to all other factors, when evaluating the effectiveness of their management systems. The new wording in each management system standard ensures that this important topic is not overlooked but is considered by all organizations when designing and implementing their management systems.
The overall intent of the requirements in Clauses 4.1 and 4.2 remains unchanged. These clauses already include the need for organizations to consider all internal and external factors that may affect the effectiveness of their management systems. These new additions ensure that climate change is considered within the management system, recognizing it as a sufficiently significant external factor for our society that organizations are now required to consider.
Whether it is quality management, health and safety, or management systems in other fields, strategies need to be re-evaluated and adjusted to address the challenges of climate change, ensuring it is considered within the scope of each management system standard. Climate change may have different impacts on each management system. For instance, a Quality Management System primarily focuses on product and service quality assurance, while an Occupational Health and Safety Management System emphasizes protecting the work environment and the health and safety of employees. Therefore, the impact of climate change on each management system may vary significantly.
II. Requirements for Certified Organizations:
1. Certified organizations shall consider the factors and risks of climate change in the establishment, maintenance, and effectiveness of their own management systems. They shall determine whether climate change, along with other issues, is relevant to the management system. If relevant, it shall be considered within the scope of the management system standard's risk assessment. If a client organization operates multiple management systems, each system shall separately analyze and manage the climate change factors and risks relevant to its scope as defined by the respective management system standard.
2. In accordance with the new climate change additions, certified organizations shall ensure that climate change has been considered. If it is determined to be a relevant factor for their management system, it shall be incorporated by the organization into any objectives and mitigation actions as required. If the organization determines it is not a relevant factor for its management system, the organization shall have a process for making this decision and (where applicable) evidence of the effectiveness of implementing related measures.
III. Requirements for the Certification Audit Process:
During the audit process, specifically for Clauses 4.1 and 4.2, it shall be ensured whether climate change has been considered among all internal/external factors and interested party needs identified by the organization:
1. If climate change is determined to be a relevant factor for the organization's management system, it shall be incorporated by the organization into objective management and control actions as required, along with evidence of the effectiveness of implementing related measures.
2. If the organization determines it is not a relevant factor for its management system, the audit team shall verify the effectiveness of the organization's process for making this decision.
During our certification decision-making, we will also focus on the above audit requirements and audit report requirements. If relevant content is missing, a one-time notification will be issued requiring the audit team to supplement this part.
Zhong Sheng De Shang Inspection & Certification (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.
October 18, 2025