ISO 45001 Revision 2026: A Major Milestone Reached Toward the Next Edition
The revision of ISO 45001, the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems, has reached an important stage in its development. The revised standard entered the Draft International Standard (DIS) ballot in June 2026, allowing ISO member bodies worldwide to review the draft, submit comments and vote on its content.
According to ISO/TC 283, the DIS ballot opened on 17 June 2026 and closed on 9 August 2026. The ballot's completion marks an important step toward the next edition, but the revised standard has not yet been published as a final International Standard.
Current Status of the ISO 45001 Revision
As of 3 September 2026, ISO 45001:2018 remains the current published edition. ISO currently lists ISO/DIS 45001 as a Draft International Standard under development. The document must still progress through the remaining approval and publication stages.
The revised ISO 45001 is expected to be published in 2027, although an exact publication date has not yet been confirmed.
Organizations should also note that ISO 45001:2018 includes Amendment 1:2024 – Climate action changes, which is already published and applies to ISO 45001:2018.
What Are the Changes to ISO 45001?
The revised ISO 45001 is still under development, so the contents of the DIS should not be treated as the final requirements of the next edition.
The revision work has considered how occupational health and safety management systems can remain relevant to changing workplace conditions and emerging challenges. ISO/TC 283’s work on emerging themes has included areas such as workforce diversity, emerging technologies, supply-chain issues and climate change.
The revision is therefore expected to consider the evolving context in which organizations manage occupational health and safety. However, describe specific changes as confirmed requirements only once the final revised International Standard is officially published.
Organizations should be particularly cautious about online articles or consultancy materials that present detailed DIS provisions as guaranteed “ISO 45001:2026 requirements.” Draft content can change during the remaining development and approval process.
Why Is the ISO 45001 Revision Important?
ISO 45001 provides a systematic framework for preventing work-related injury and ill health, managing OH&S risks and continually improving occupational health and safety performance.
Workplaces are continually changing due to technological developments, new workforce arrangements, evolving supply chains and other emerging challenges. The revision provides an opportunity to ensure that ISO 45001 remains relevant and practical for organizations operating in this changing environment.
For certified organizations, the revised edition may require a review of existing OH&S management systems. Early awareness can help organizations prepare for the eventual transition once official requirements are confirmed.
ISO 45001 Revision: What Organizations Should Do Now
ISO 45001 Revision: What Organizations Should Do Now
Organizations do not need to implement draft requirements prematurely. Instead, they should:
- Maintain their existing ISO 45001:2018 management system.
- Monitor official updates from ISO/TC 283, ISO and their certification body.
- Avoid treating DIS provisions as final requirements.
- Plan a gap assessment after the revised standard is published.
- Discuss future transition arrangements with their certification body.
Organizations planning new ISO 45001 certification should also consider project timing and applicable certification arrangements.
For professional support, organizations can work with an experienced ISO 45001 consultancy to review their current OH&S management system and prepare for the future transition.
Conclusion
The ISO 45001 revision has reached a significant milestone with completion of the DIS ballot on 9 August 2026. Nevertheless, the revision process is still ongoing, and the next edition has not yet been published.
For now, ISO 45001:2018 remains the current published edition. With the revised standard expected in 2027, organizations should maintain their existing systems, monitor official developments and prepare for transition based on the final requirements and officially confirmed arrangements.