On April 15, 2026, the new ISO 14001:2026 standard was officially published. Following the establishment of the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI)—the international body formed from the merger of IAF and ILAC—guidelines have been defined for managing the transition from the 2015 version to the new edition.
RCA, in line with regulatory provisions, has already initiated the necessary activities to ensure a smooth and structured transition for all its clients.
Key Deadlines
The transition period is set at 3 years. Here are the key dates to keep in mind:
- October 30, 2027: 18 months after publication, it will no longer be possible to issue new certificates based on ISO 14001:2015.
- April 30, 2029: final deadline of the transition period. After this date, ISO 14001:2015 certificates will no longer be valid.
How the Transition Will Take Place
Alignment with ISO 14001:2026 will be carried out through a transition audit lasting at least 0.5 man-days, depending on the size and complexity of the organizations. This assessment may be conducted alongside a surveillance audit, a recertification audit, or through a dedicated special audit.
During the audit, our experts will verify the new requirements, with a specific focus on the analysis of the organization’s context and the updating of the management system.
What Organizations Need to Do
- Promptly plan a gap analysis between the two versions of the standard.
- Train staff on the new requirements.
- Contact RCA offices to schedule the transition audit within the established timeframe.
Important: failure to undergo the transition audit will result in the withdrawal of certification at the end of the transition period (April 30, 2029).
With RCA, environmental certification goes beyond simple compliance with regulatory requirements: it becomes a true strategic lever to improve performance, manage risks, and seize new opportunities. Choosing RCA means relying on a competent and proactive partner, capable of supporting organizations throughout the entire transition process, transforming a regulatory obligation into a concrete and lasting competitive advantage.