ISO 45001 Set for Full Revision by 2027: What You Need to Know
- OUS Academy in Switzerland
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
An important milestone has been reached: the revision schedule for ISO 45001 has been put into motion. The standard is due for full update by 2027—a major opportunity to enhance occupational health and safety worldwide.
Revision process underway
Sources confirm that a project to completely revise ISO 45001 is already in progress. The first committee meetings took place in May 2025, and the revision is expected to culminate in publication by 2027. Today, the standard remains the 2018 edition with its recent climate amendment. However, a full revision signals deeper changes ahead.
Why it's happening
ISO standards are periodically reviewed to ensure relevance. The current edition is approaching its seventh anniversary, and safety risks have evolved—especially concerning climate, digital tools, diversity, mental wellbeing, and better governance.
Early stakeholder discussions suggest that the full revision will bring:
Enhanced climate and resilience planning, building on the 2024 amendment
Greater focus on worker wellbeing, including mental health
Stronger leadership involvement, particularly from top-level management
Clearer structure and updated guidance, aligning with ISO’s Harmonised Structure for management systems
Support for diversity and inclusion, ensuring safety measures are equitable for all workers
What to expect, day by day
The timeline is as follows:
2025: Work group meetings, scoping, drafting
2026: Draft International Standard published for public comment ("DIS")
2027: Final publication of the updated ISO 45001 on the standard list
The drafts will be open for comment, giving organizations the chance to input feedback. Early engagement and alignment will make future transitions easier.
How to prepare
There is no requirement to act immediately—but forward-thinking organizations should lay the groundwork now:
Begin reviewing your climate, mental health, and diversity risk processes
Engage senior leadership in safety governance planning
Update policies and training to reflect upcoming changes
Watch for drafts and announcements in 2026–27 to join the review process
Proactive companies will be in a prime position to successfully transition when the revised standard is released.
What you need to do
If your workplace is ISO 45001 certified or in the process, consider:
Informing senior management and board members early
Conducting an internal gap analysis covering the emerging topics
Training staff on climate and wellness awareness, not just physical hazards
Monitoring ISO announcements for DIS release and opening stakeholder submissions
By beginning now, your organization can spread the work over time, avoiding last-minute compliance races and demonstrating genuine safety leadership.
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