Training on key changes and strategic implications

Understanding the upcoming changes in ISO FDIS 14001:2026 is essential for leaders responsible for environmental performance, governance, and strategic decision-making. This short awareness session distills the most important updates affecting organizational leadership—such as strengthened climate‑change considerations, lifecycle perspective, enhanced leadership accountability, clarified risk‑management expectations, and the introduction of structured change‑management requirements.

Leaders will gain clarity on what the 2026 revision means for oversight, resource allocation, culture, and integration of environmental priorities into strategic planning.

Learning Objectives

This concise session equips leaders and project teams with a high‑level but impactful understanding of the key changes in ISO 14001:2026 and what these updates mean for governance and strategic direction. Students will learn to:

• Understand the major drivers of the 2026 revision, including the integration of climate resilience, biodiversity, pollution prevention, and resource‑use considerations into organizational context (Clause 4).
• Recognize the strengthened leadership responsibilities, including expanded accountability for ensuring EMS alignment with strategic objectives and supporting all relevant roles—not just “management roles.”
• Understand the shift toward a more lifecycle‑based EMS scope, ensuring upstream and downstream impacts are addressed where influence exists.
• Gain awareness of the new Clause 6.3 on change management, requiring structured planning, evaluation, and documentation of EMS‑related changes.
• Identify how the 2026 edition expands expectations around emergency preparedness, requiring identification of all potential emergency situations, not just foreseeable ones.
• Understand updates to performance evaluation and internal audit expectations, including clearer audit objectives and more prescriptive management‑review inputs.
• Recognize leadership’s role in ensuring effective communication, resource allocation, and culture‑building to support the revised EMS requirements.

Who should attend?

• Senior leaders and executives
• Sustainability and ESG leaders
• Directors overseeing operations, risk, compliance, or strategy
• Managers responsible for EMS performance or environmental governance
• Environmental professionals getting introduced to Management Systems or interested in the changes in the new version of ISO 14001 (FDIS)
• Individuals in charge of implementing changes to the new ISO 14001 version
• People interested in raising awareness about ISO FDIS 14001:2026 or training others within an organization

Course Highlights

• Why the new version matters for organizations and leadership?
• Summary of the most significant clause‑level updates, including:
• Clause 4: Expanded context (climate change, biodiversity, lifecycle)
• Clause 5: Reinforced leadership, accountability, and policy ownership
• Clause 6: New change‑management clause and revised planning structure
• Clause 8: Strengthened supplier and externally provided process controls
• Clause 9: Updated internal audit and management review expectations
• Practical implications for leadership decision‑making
• How to prepare your organization for the transition period

Duration & Format

Duration: 2 hours

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 will be given a copy of the slide deck used.

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.