Considering Climate Change in AS9100

Since AS9100 = ISO 9001 + IAQG Requirements, this amendment applies to the AS9100 standard.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) have published two climate action amendments for existing and new management systems.  These amendments, which were published in February 2024, are part of ISO’s commitment to climate action and support the ISO London Declaration on Climate Change.

The amendments fall under Clauses 4.1 and 4.2.  Many organizations may already be considering the impact of climate change under these clauses as internal or external issues, and/or as part of understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties.  However, the amendments now make it a requirement that organizations explicitly consider climate change and incorporate any relevant aspects into their management system.

It should be noted that these changes are not a new standard, and there is no need for re-certification at this time. These short amendments are also available for free download.  To learn more about ISO’s revision process, read this article from Quality Digest.

Here are the changes, which fall under Section 4:

4.1 Understanding the Organization and Its Context

The organization shall determine external and internal issues that are relevant to its purpose and its strategic direction and that affect its ability to achieve the intended result(s) of its quality management system.

The organization shall monitor and review information about these external and internal issues.

Text added to the end of subclause:
The organization shall determine whether climate change is a relevant issue. 

4.2 Understanding the Needs and Expectations of Interested Parties.

Due to their effect or potential effect on the organization’s ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, the organization shall determine: 

• • the interested parties that are relevant to the quality management system;
  • the requirements of these interested parties that are relevant to the quality management system.

The organization shall monitor and review information about these interested parties and their relevant requirements.

Note added to the end of subclause:
NOTE: Relevant interested parties can have requirements related to climate change.