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

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

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, then the determined climate change issues may impact resources within the quality management system of an organization.

Impact of Climate Change on the Environment for the Operation of Processes (Clause 7.1.4)

(1) Physical Environment:

Climate change issues can alter the physical environment where processes exist and operate. For example, increased temperatures, humidity, or extreme weather events might require changes in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, building structures, or protective measures to ensure that the work environment remains conducive to quality output.

(2) Employee Well-being:

The well-being of employees might be impacted by climate change issues such as heat stress or air quality issues. An organization may need to implement additional health and safety measures to protect workers, ensuring that the environment remains safe and does not hinder operational efficiency.

(3) Resource Availability:

Climate change issues can affect the availability of natural resources (e.g., water, raw materials) that are crucial for certain processes. An organization may need to adapt their processes to account for resource scarcity or variability, ensuring that the environment for the operation of processes remains stable and sustainable.

Impact of Climate Change on Organizational Knowledge (Clause 7.1.6)

(1) Knowledge Acquisition:

Organizations may need to acquire new knowledge related to climate change issues and their effects on operations. This includes understanding climate change issues, climate science, regulatory changes, and best practices for mitigation and adaptation.

(2) Employee Training:

Employees at all levels should be informed and trained on how climate change issues can impact their roles and the organization as a whole. This includes incorporating climate-related risks and opportunities into training programs and ensuring that this knowledge is integrated into the organization's culture.

(3) Adaptation Strategies:

Developing and maintaining knowledge on how to adapt processes and operations in response to climate change issues. This could involve research and development efforts to innovate and implement more sustainable practices and technologies.

(4) Documentation and Sharing:

Ensuring that climate change-related knowledge is well-documented and accessible to relevant stakeholders. This might include creating repositories of information, updating standard operating procedures, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement in the organization.

Summary 

Addressing climate change as a relevant issue necessitates that the organization evaluate and adapt its operational environments and organizational knowledge to mitigate risks and leverage opportunities. This will ensure the resilience and sustainability of their quality management systems.

Regards,

Keshav Ram Singhal 

Climate Change Issues in ISO 9001:2015 QMS

Climate Change Issues in ISO 9001:2015 QMS

 

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published an amendment to clauses 4.1 and 4.2 of the ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard on February 24, 2024, along with all other management system standards.

 

The February 2024 amendment added a requirement in clause 4.1 of the ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard that the organization needs to determine whether climate change is a relevant issue. Accordingly, the organization needs to pay special attention to ensure the determination of whether climate change is a relevant issue for the organization's quality management system.

 

The February 2024 amendment also added a clarification note in clause 4.2 of the ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard that relevant interested parties can have requirements related to climate change. This clause already stated the requirement to determine the interested parties and their requirements that are relevant to the organization's quality management system. This clause also requires the organization to monitor and review information about the determined interested parties and their relevant requirements.

 

On analyzing the February 2024 amendment, we find that the overall intent of clauses 4.1 and 4.2 of the ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard remains unchanged as the requirements of these clauses already included the need for the organization to consider internal and external issues that can impact the effectiveness of the organization's quality management system.

 

Accordingly, to sum up, as per the February 2024 amendment, clauses 4.1 and 4.2 of the ISO 9001:2015 QMS now require:

 

- The organization needs to determine internal and external issues, including whether climate change is a relevant issue, that are relevant to the organization's purpose and that affect the organization's ability to achieve the intended results of the organization's quality management system.

 

- The organization needs to determine the interested parties relevant to the organization's quality management system and their requirements (which can include requirements related to climate change). The organization needs to address the determined requirements of the interested parties through the organization's quality management system.

 

Regards,

Keshav Ram Singhal

 

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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