Organizations certified according to ISO 45001:2018 are closely monitoring the progress of the revision process for the most important international standard for occupational health and safety management systems (OH&S). Following ISO’s official confirmation of the need to revise the standard at the end of 2023, the project for the new edition is progressing according to the established schedule, and the publication of the updated version is expected in 2027.
Where Does the Revision Process Currently Stand?
According to information available in the summer of 2026, the revision of ISO 45001 has entered the Draft International Standard (DIS) stage, one of the most significant phases in the ISO standards development process. At this stage, national standards bodies review and vote on the draft standard before the final version is prepared.
Previously, the technical committee responsible for the revision, ISO/TC 283 Occupational Health and Safety Management, published the first Committee Draft (CD) in July 2025, followed by a revised version in January 2026. The comments received were reviewed and incorporated into the DIS draft released in 2026.
Most industry sources anticipate that the new edition of ISO 45001 will be published during 2027, followed by a transition period of approximately three years for certified organizations to adapt to the revised requirements.
Why is the update of ISO 45001 necessary?
Since the publication of ISO 45001:2018, the world of work has changed significantly. The rise of hybrid and remote work, the increasing focus on mental health, new risks generated by climate change, and the growing expectations regarding social responsibility have necessitated the update of the standard.
The purpose of the review is not to completely rewrite the standard, but to adapt it to current realities and improve the effectiveness of OHS management systems.
What are the main directions that will be subject to change / additions?
Although the final text is not yet approved, the available drafts indicate several themes that will receive increased attention:
1. Mental health and psychosocial risks
For the first time, mental health and employee well-being could be addressed much more explicitly within the management system. Organizations will need to identify and manage risks such as:
occupational stress;
professional burnout;
harassment in the workplace;
psychological overload.
2. New forms of work
Remote work, hybrid work, and the use of digital technologies have become a permanent reality for many organizations. The introduction of requirements and clarifications regarding the assessment and control of risks associated with these work models is anticipated.
3. Climate change and organizational resilience
In line with recent trends in ISO standards, the upcoming edition will pay greater attention to the impact of climate change on occupational safety and health. Among the topics analyzed are:
extreme temperatures;
severe weather phenomena;
continuity of activities in emergency situations;
organizational resilience.
4. Supply chain management
The responsibility of organizations for the activities of contractors and suppliers is also analyzed in the review. The trend is to extend the risk-based approach beyond the boundaries of the organization.
5. A stronger safety culture
Experts involved in the review process emphasize the need to strengthen the culture of prevention and the active participation of workers. Involvement of staff in identifying hazards and reporting unsafe situations will continue to be a central element of the standard.
What is NOT expected to change?
The good news for certified organizations is that the core structure of the standard will be maintained. The current model based on the cycle of Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) and the harmonized ISO structure will remain in effect, facilitating integration with other standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
This means that the transition to the new edition will most likely be an evolutionary one and not a revolutionary one.
What should organizations do now?
Although the publication is not expected until 2027, experts recommend starting preparations at this stage:
monitoring the evolution of the standard project;
evaluating how psychosocial risks are managed;
reviewing hybrid and remote work management processes;
including climate risks in the organization's context analysis;
strengthening worker participation in OHS processes.
Conclusion
The revision of ISO 45001 represents one of the most important updates in the field of occupational health and safety in the last decade. Although the overall structure of the standard will remain familiar, the new edition will reflect the current challenges of the work environment, with a focus on mental health, new work models, climate change, and organizational resilience.
For organizations certified to ISO 45001:2018, the period 2026-2027 represents the ideal time to start preparations and to turn the upcoming transition into an opportunity to improve OHS performance, not just a compliance requirement.