As Orion begins transitioning clients to ISO 14001:2026, we want to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible for both our clients and our auditors. The information below outlines the transition requirements, key timelines, and the steps you should follow when planning and conducting audits. Orion will provide guidance, resources, and support throughout the transition period to help ensure clients successfully upgrade to the new standard while maintaining certification without disruption. Our goal is to make the upgrade process straightforward, consistent, and efficient for everyone involved.
So… what’s new?
Please note the following transition deadlines.
Key Dates:
April 1, 2027
- All initial and recertification audits must be to ISO14001:2026.
- Surveillance audits to ISO14001:2015 may continue.
April 1, 2029
- All organizations must have completed their transition to ISO 14001:2026 by this date. If you have not yet upgraded and your surveillance audit is normally scheduled later in 2029, you may need to move your audit date forward to ensure the transition is completed before the deadline. Please contact the Orion team as early as possible so we can help plan your transition and avoid any impact to your certification.
When do you need to act?
If your 2027 audit is a recertification audit scheduled before April 1, 2027, now is the time to begin preparing for the transition. Your next audit cycle will be conducted against ISO 14001:2026, and early preparation will help ensure a smooth and efficient upgrade.
If your 2027 audit is a surveillance audit and you would like to complete your transition to ISO 14001:2026 during that audit, please notify your Orion Audit Team before the audit is scheduled. This allows us to allocate the additional time required for the transition review, which is typically half a day. Early planning helps ensure the audit is scheduled efficiently and provides enough time to assess conformity with the new standard requirements.
How does the upgrade work?
The transition to ISO 14001:2026 is designed to be straightforward. During your audit, Orion will use a dedicated upgrade checklist that focuses on the new and revised requirements in the standard. This approach helps ensure the transition is completed efficiently while minimizing disruption to your existing management system.
If you would like to review the requirements in advance, please contact the Orion team and we will be happy to provide a copy of the upgrade checklist and answer any questions you may have about the transition process.
What should you do now?
A great place to start is reviewing the new requirements and doing a gap check against your current Environmental Management System.
If you’d like help—or just want to talk through the best timing—our team is ready to support you.
Feel free to reach out to your Orion team with any questions or to start planning your ISO 14001:2026 upgrade.