As a result of the commitment to address the issue of climate change, as stated in the London Declaration of the ISO - International Organization for Standardization, ISO and the IAF - International Accreditation Forum, have made an amendment to Chapter 4 of the Harmonized Framework (Appendix 2 of Annex SL in the ISO/IEC Directives Part 1 Consolidated ISO Supplement). More information can be found here.
ISO 9001 - Quality Management System (QMS) was one of several standards covered by this amendment.
What should be considered in relation to climate change in an ISO 9001 Quality Management System?
There is no standardized approach to climate change considerations in a QMS. However, we share, as a reference, part of the text taken from a White Paper developed by the partners of the IQNET Association, of which APCER is a member, representing Portugal.
These considerations are not sufficient on their own, nor are they considered complete; they are merely identified as the most likely to be analyzed by organizations:
Constraints in the supply chain: climate change can lead to extreme weather phenomena, such as floods, droughts and storms, which can cause disruptions in the supply chain. In a QMS, this can affect the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet the requirements of customers and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Availability of resources and ecosystem services: Climate change can affect the availability of natural resources, which are crucial to production processes. A QMS must be adaptable to these changes to ensure the efficient use of resources and maintain product quality.
Regulatory Compliance: With the growing focus on environmental protection, there are more and more regulations related to climate change and sustainability. Certified organizations need to ensure that their QMS complies with these regulatory requirements in order to avoid legal problems, guarantee the compliance of their operations and maintain the brand's reputation.
Customer demands and expectations: Customers are increasingly environmentally conscious and expect organizations to adopt sustainable practices. A QMS aligned with ISO 9001 must take these expectations into account in order to guarantee continued customer satisfaction.
Other Climate Change considerations that all organizations certified to the management system standards covered by this amendment should consider
Certified organizations, regardless of the sector of activity in which they operate and the type and scope of the management system, may need to review and adapt other processes and consider other issues in order to better address and accommodate changes in context, evolving requirements and stakeholder needs, as well as new risks arising from climate change.
Training and awareness: Effective management approach and practices in the context of climate change require informed and aware people. Certified organizations may need to include training programs that convey climate-related challenges and changes to their employees, ensuring that they understand the evolving nature of related risks and their responsibilities.
Engagement and communication with stakeholders: Engagement with stakeholders on climate-related compliance issues is crucial. Certified organizations should facilitate communication and engagement with stakeholders, including investors, customers, regulatory bodies and the community, on how the organization addresses climate-related compliance issues.
Monitoring and continuous improvement: Given the dynamic nature of climate change and its impacts, certified organizations must be able to monitor and continuously improve. This ensures that the organization can adapt its strategies in response to new information, regulations and best practices related to climate change.
Innovative solutions for greater resilience: Organizations may need to invest in innovative solutions to strengthen resilience in the face of climate-induced challenges and risks, and thus contribute to better performance and effectiveness.
Long-term strategic planning: Organizations must consider long-term trends and contextual issues, including those related to climate change. This enables strategic planning that aligns with global sustainability goals and climate change mitigation efforts.
Reputation and brand value: Organizations that do not address climate change risks or adopt sustainable practices may suffer in terms of reputation and brand value, as consumers and investors increasingly value sustainability. For some organizations, public perception can also be critical. Those that fail to take adequate measures to combat or adapt to climate change may suffer damage to their reputation, which can have a direct impact on customer loyalty and brand value.
Insurance and risk management: The increased frequency and severity of weather phenomena can lead to higher insurance premiums. For organizations with significant physical assets, or those operating in high-risk areas, this can represent a substantial financial burden.
Identifying new opportunities: Organizations can also look for opportunities arising from the transition to a greener economy, such as the development of new products or services, efficiency improvements and access to new markets.
