For Management Systems Accreditation Program customers who certify to ISO 14001,

In September of 2015, ISO issued a revised version of ISO 14001. This 2015 version replaces the 2008 version. The key change brought to this new version is an increased focus on risk management. ISO has prepared a presentation on the new version (http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_14001final.pptx) and SCC encourages its accredited certification bodies (CBs) to review it, as well as pass it along to their certified clients. As well, the ISO working group who revised the standard have also developed various supporting and promotional documentation on ISO 14001, including marketing presentations, transition guidance, and explanatory PowerPoint presentations, which are all available here: https://committee.iso.org/tc207sc1

The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) has set forth a three (3) year transition period for all CBs to certify all of their clients to the 2015 standard. That said, SCC understands that many of the CBs’ new and existing clients will want to transition sooner than that. Therefore, SCC encourages the CBs to start developing their transition plans as soon as possible, and to advise their Account Manager when they would like to be assessed on the transition. Note that these transition plans can be assessed at either the head office assessment of the CB, or at any other time through a desk assessment process. SCC professional fees shall apply. No witness audit will be required, however once a CB has transitioned, only witness audits to the 2015 version of ISO 14001 shall be accepted.

CBs should note that until SCC has approved their transition plan, CBs shall not issue ISO 14001:2015 certificates under their SCC accreditation.

If you have any questions, please contact your Account Manager