ISO 45001 is being revised: voting on the draft standard closed on 09.09.2026, and ISO expects the new edition in the first half of 2027. It affects every organisation with a certified or planned occupational health and safety management system. SAFETEE supports you through the transition and classifies each change with source and date.
As of: 20.10.2026. The revision is still in progress. We will update this article as soon as the final draft (FDIS) is available.
What is the timeline of the ISO 45001 revision?
The draft standard ISO/DIS 45001 was voted on from 16.06. to 09.09.2026 (stage 40.60, close of voting). The result and a date for the final draft have not yet been published. After voting, the draft can be referred back to the committee, put to a new ballot or approved as FDIS. ISO expects the new edition to replace ISO 45001:2018 in the first half of 2027 (ISO, project page). The certification body DNV considers the second half of 2027 likely (DNV).
| Date | Step | Status |
|---|
| 31.05.2024 | Revision project approved | done |
| 17.04.2026 | Draft standard ISO/DIS 45001 registered | done |
| 12.06.2026 | German draft DIN EN ISO 45001:2026-07 published | done |
| 16.06. to 09.09.2026 | Ballot on the draft standard | closed, result pending |
| open | Final draft (FDIS) | no date yet |
| expected first half of 2027 (according to ISO) | Publication of the new edition | expected, not scheduled |
| after publication | Transition period for certificates | not yet defined |
What changes according to the draft standard?
The changes mainly concern health, well-being and the control of external providers. This is based on the draft standard; things may still shift before the final draft. According to DNV, which analysed the draft and expressly describes its list as not exhaustive, these are the key points (DNV):
- Climate change: Amendment 1:2024 is integrated into clauses 4.1 and 4.2.
- Well-being and diversity: new terms such as work-related well-being and disability; diversity of workers in 4.2, 7.4, 8.1.2 and 8.2.
- Hazard identification (6.1.2.1): more factors to be considered, such as new technologies, remote work, psychosocial hazards and climate impacts.
- Risk assessment (6.1.2.2): results must be retained as documented information.
- Planning of changes: new clause 6.3.
- Operation (8.1): new 8.1.3 occupational health, new 8.1.4 return to work after injury or ill health, new 8.1.6 externally provided processes, products and services (replacing the previous procurement clause).
- Improvement: 10.1 and 10.3 are merged; Annex A is substantially extended.
What does not change?
Until publication, ISO 45001:2018 with Amendment 1:2024 remains the basis for certification. Existing certificates stay valid until the transition period ends. The basic structure of the management system, with context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation and improvement, remains. DNV describes the changes as moderate, but more extensive than in the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 revisions.
How long will the transition period be?
A transition period has not yet been officially set. According to DNV, three years are possible, as with other management system standards; this is not confirmed. The period only becomes binding once the accreditation bodies set it. Plan with the final text, not with an assumed period.
What should companies do now?
Now is the time for a sober stocktake, not for rebuilding the system. Those who classify the new focus areas early will have less effort after publication.
- Ask your certification body how it plans the transition and when it intends to audit.
- Check whether psychological strain and health are covered in your hazard and risk assessment.
- Document the results of the risk assessment completely.
- Bring the control of subcontractors and external providers together in one process.
- Describe a process for return to work after an accident or illness where none exists.
- Manage changes in operations (plant, organisation, staff) in a planned and traceable way.
- Check the climate reference in your context analysis if still open after Amendment 1:2024.
- After publication, run a gap analysis against the final text and set the transition date.
How does SAFETEE support you?
Our Safety Consulting supports you in transitioning your occupational health and safety management system to the new standard. All current deadlines in occupational safety are in the HSE regulation overview October 2026 (in German). Please get in touch.
When will the new ISO 45001 be published?
ISO expects the new edition in the first half of 2027. No fixed date has been published, because the result of the vote on the draft standard is still pending. The certification body DNV considers the second half of 2027 likely. We will update the date in this article as soon as the final draft is available.
Will the new standard be called ISO 45001:2026 or ISO 45001:2027?
That is only settled on publication, because the year follows the year of release. The draft standard is designated ISO/DIS 45001:2026. If the standard appears in 2027 as ISO expects, it will presumably be designated ISO 45001:2027.
Is my ISO 45001:2018 certificate still valid?
Yes. Until publication, the 2018 edition with Amendment 1:2024 remains the basis for certification. A transition period follows, the length of which has not yet been set. Certificates to the old edition only lose validity when it ends.
How long is the transition period?
Officially it has not been set yet. According to DNV, three years are possible, as with other management system standards; this is not confirmed. The period only becomes binding through the accreditation bodies after publication. For your planning, the final text counts, not an assumed period.
Do I have to change my management system now?
No. The draft standard may still change before the final draft. A stocktake of the new focus areas makes sense now, such as psychological strain, return to work and external providers. The actual gap analysis follows against the published final text.
What does the revision mean for subcontractors and external providers?
According to the draft standard, a new clause 8.1.6 replaces the previous procurement clause and covers externally provided processes, products and services. If you use many subcontractors, you should already manage selection, induction and monitoring of these partners as one coherent process.
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