Learning the principles and fundamentals of the upcoming ISO 14001:2026 standard is essential to build a strong foundation for anyone involved in an Environmental Management System (EMS). This course provides a detailed introduction to the revised requirements, enhanced expectations around climate change, biodiversity, lifecycle thinking, and the newly added change‑management and emergency‑preparedness clarifications. Participants will gain the knowledge needed to design and implement an EMS aligned with modern environmental priorities and organizational objectives.

Learning Objectives

This course equips students with the knowledge to understand and apply the updated concepts and requirements of ISO FDIS 14001:2026, including:

• The expanded expectations for context of the organization, now requiring explicit consideration of climate change, biodiversity, pollution, and resource use.
• The strengthened life cycle perspective, which must now be reflected in the EMS scope and operational controls—not only in environmental aspects.
• Updated leadership responsibilities, reinforcing accountability and support for all roles related to the EMS, not only “management roles”.
• The new and reorganized planning requirements, including new Clause 6.3 on planning and managing change, clearer risk and opportunity planning, and expanded identification of emergency situations.
• Clarified expectations for supplier/externally provided process control, environmental performance evaluation, and strengthened audit and management review inputs.
• How to align EMS design and implementation with the organization’s purpose, strategic direction, and long‑term sustainability goals, reflecting the enhanced clarity and structure of the 2026 version.

By the end of the course, students will understand how to apply the revised requirements in a practical and meaningful way, ensuring their EMS contributes to climate resilience, resource efficiency, and improved environmental performance.

Who should attend?

• Environmental professionals getting introduced to Management Systems or interested in the changes for the new version of ISO 14001 (FDIS)
• Individuals who have any type of involvement with an organization’s Environmental Management System
• Individuals in charge of implementing a project related to ISO 14001
• Professionals seeking further qualifications in the near future, such as Internal or Lead Auditor
• People with the interest to create awareness or train others within an organization
• Managers and leaders, whose responsibility scope is impacted by an Environmental Management System

Course Highlights

• Environmental Management System overview
• Terms and definitions
• Plan Do Check Act
• Process approach in ISO 14001
• Review of ISO 14001 clauses
• Fundamentals of ISO 14001 Design
• General stages to implement ISO 14001
• Overview of Environmental Management Systems and the updated structure of ISO 14001:2026
• Updated terminology and clarified definitions introduced in the FDIS (e.g., “results,” “meeting compliance obligations,” clarified EMS scope)
• The Plan–Do–Check–Act cycle and how updates strengthen continual improvement
• The process approach and expanded life cycle perspective
• Detailed review of ISO 14001:2026 clause updates, including:
  • Climate‑change and biodiversity considerations (Clause 4)
  • Strengthened leadership expectations and policy emphasis (Clause 5)
  • Revised planning structure, new Clause 6.3 on change management, and broader emergency‑situation identification (Clause 6)
  • Documentation, competence, and communication enhancements (Clause 7)
  • Expanded operational controls for externally provided processes (Clause 8)
  • Updated auditing and environmental‑performance evaluation requirements (Clause 9)
  • Strengthened corrective action and improvement expectations (Clause 10)
• Fundamentals of EMS design aligned with 2026 expectations
• General stages for implementing ISO 14001:2026, including change‑management and transition considerations

Duration & Format

Duration: 2 days (16 hours total)

To optimize knowledge assimilation and harmonize training with operational responsibilities, our public training schedule offers courses delivered consecutively or distributed across several weeks. This methodology ensures superior learning outcomes while respecting busy professional calendars.

Delivery Format: 100% Live Virtual Training

Participate from any location with reliable internet connectivity. Our interactive virtual learning environment delivers the same dynamic, participatory educational experience as conventional classroom training, enhanced by the flexibility of learning from your preferred location. Webcam and microphone capabilities are mandatory for active participation and engagement with instructors and peer learners.

Private courses can be delivered in person or virtually depending on organizational needs.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Course Materials

Students obtain extensive electronic course resources available online for consultation throughout and following the training. All resources support viewing, downloading, and printing for maximum convenience.

Important Note: Due to copyright restrictions, copies of ISO standards are not supplied as part of the course registration fee. ERM CVS will provide temporary access to reference standards throughout the training period. Students are highly encouraged to acquire their personal copy of the ISO 14001:2026 standard. Digital reference standards are non-printable and non-downloadable.

Expert Instruction

Our Expert facilitators contribute authentic environment management and audit proficiency to each learning session. They deliver thorough explanations of standard specifications, communicate industry-leading practices, and mentor students through applied enviornment audit scenarios. With extensive professional audit experience, our facilitators enrich your education with pertinent case analyses and validated methodologies immediately applicable within your organization.