Impact of Climate Change Amendment on Planning of Changes

 Impact of Climate Change Amendment on Planning of Changes

As you are aware, the following are the amendments in the ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard:

Clause 4.1 – Added Requirement: The organization needs to determine whether climate change is a relevant issue.

Clause 4.2 – Added Note: Relevant interested parties can have needs and expectations related to climate change.

If climate change is a relevant issue for the organization, then the determined climate change issues may impact the planning of changes in the quality management system of an organization.

In terms of Clause 6.3 of ISO 9001:2015 QMS, at the time an organization determines the need for changes to the quality management system, the organization will carry out changes in a systematic and planned manner by considering the purpose of changes, potential consequences of changes, integrity of the quality management system, availability of resources, and the allocation or reallocation of responsibilities and authorities.

If climate change is a relevant issue, the organization should determine potential risks and opportunities and make appropriate changes in the scope of the organization's quality management system and/or the organization's processes by considering the above.

Examples of Addressing Climate Change in QMS Planning

Supply Chain Adjustments:

• Scenario: An organization identifies that climate change impacts the availability of raw materials due to the increased frequency of extreme weather events.
• Action to be taken: The organization should plan to diversify its supplier base and implement more robust inventory management practices to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions.

Energy Efficiency Initiatives:

• Scenario: Rising energy costs and regulatory pressure on carbon emissions are identified as relevant climate change issues.
• Action to be taken: The organization should upgrade its manufacturing processes to be more energy-efficient and invest in renewable energy sources. This requires changes in process documentation and quality control measures to ensure consistent product quality.

Product Design and Lifecycle:

• Scenario: Customers are increasingly demanding environmentally friendly products with lower carbon footprints.
• Action to be taken: The organization should integrate eco-design principles into its product development process, which involves changes in material selection, manufacturing processes, and product lifecycle management. These changes need to be systematically planned and documented in the organiztion's quality management system. 

By considering these examples, organizations can better understand how to incorporate climate change considerations into their quality management system planning, ensuring they remain resilient and competitive in a changing global environment.

Regards,
Keshav Ram Singhal

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