Impact of Climate Change Amendment on Operations in ISO 9001:2015 QMS

Impact of Climate Change Amendment on Operations in ISO 9001:2015 QMS

 

The February 2024 Amendments in 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, it may impact operations within the organization's quality management system. Organizations should assess both the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on their operations and the quality of their products and services. Interested parties may include customers, suppliers, regulatory bodies, and the community, whose expectations may influence the organization's quality management system requirements.

 

Impact of Climate Change on Requirements for Products and Services (Clause 8.2)

 

·       Customer Communication (Clause 8.2.1): If climate change is a relevant issue, the requirements for products and services may change. Organizations should provide appropriate information to customers, addressing any changes in product/service requirements due to climate change. This communication should include measures for managing potential claims or issues. If there are claims or problems related to products and services, the organization should be prepared to address them. Communication with customers should also include specific requirements for contingency actions, when necessary.

·       Determining and Reviewing Requirements for Products and Services (Clause 8.2.2 and Clause 8.2.3): Organizations should consider climate change-related requirements when determining or reviewing the requirements for products and services. Changes related to climate change should be documented, communicated, and incorporated into the quality management processes.

 

Design and Development (Clause 8.3)

If climate change is a relevant issue, the organization should address climate change-related requirements in the design and development of products and services. This includes incorporating climate resilience and sustainability considerations into the design process.

 

Control of Externally Provided Processes, Products, and Services (Clause 8.4)

Organizations should assess and manage the impact of climate change on externally provided processes, products, and services. This includes ensuring that controls are in place to meet customer, statutory, and regulatory requirements.

 

Production and Service Provision (Clause 8.5)

If climate change is a relevant issue, the organization should determine and implement specific controls for production and service provision. This may involve unique identification of products, including raw materials, appointment of competent personnel, post-delivery activities such as recycling and final disposal, evidence of conformity to acceptance criteria, and control of non-conforming inputs and outputs. The organization should identify climate-related risks and implement controls to ensure the quality and conformity of products and services.

 

Summary

The February 2024 amendments to the ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard emphasize the relevance of climate change. Organizations are required to assess the impact of climate change (Clause 4.1) and consider the expectations of interested parties (Clause 4.2). Key operational areas affected include:

·       Customer Communication (Clause 8.2.1): Inform customers of climate-related changes affecting product and service requirements and manage claims effectively.

·       Determining and Reviewing Requirements (Clauses 8.2.2 and 8.2.3): Document and communicate climate change considerations in the determination and review of product/service requirements.

·       Design and Development (Clause 8.3): Integrate climate resilience and sustainability into the design and development processes.

·       Control of Externally Provided Processes (Clause 8.4): Assess and control the impact of climate change on externally provided processes, products, and services.

·       Production and Service Provision (Clause 8.5): Implement controls to manage climate-related risks in production and service provision.

 

These amendments highlight the need for a proactive approach to climate change within the organization's quality management system framework, ensuring compliance and responsiveness to evolving environmental challenges.

 

Regards,

Keshav Ram Singhal