Update of ISO 9001 & 14001 Standards
After more than 10 years, the ISO management system standards are due for an update: ISO 14001 (environment) has already been revised, and ISO 9001 (quality) will follow this fall.
The current standards date from 2015. ISO 14001 has since been revised and published, and ISO 9001 is expected to follow this fall.
Neither of these revisions represents a complete change in direction, but rather a targeted update. The foundation of both management systems remains intact, but the standards are being tightened in areas that have become more important in recent years: climate, supply chain responsibility, strategy, and demonstrability.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the changes to each standard and what they mean for your certification.
ISO 9001:2026 is coming soon
The international quality standard ISO 9001 is being revised, with direct implications for printing and signage companies in the creative industry. The successor to ISO 9001:2015 is expected to be published in the fall of 2026 and will bring significant changes for organizations that implement quality management systems.
For certified companies in the creative industry, this means more than just an update to the standard. Topics such as digitization, change management, sustainability, a culture of quality, and information management will play a more prominent role within the management system.
At Dienstencentrum, we closely monitor developments regarding the new ISO 9001:2026 through official channels such as ISO, NEN, and the relevant standards committees within the creative industry.
Below, we’ll walk you through all the changes related to ISO 9001:2026 and what they mean for your organization.
ISO 14001:2026 was recently published
Sustainability has now become an integral part of modern business operations, and this directly affects print and sign companies in the creative industry. Customers, clients, government agencies, and supply chain partners are setting increasingly high standards for environmental performance, transparency, and demonstrable achievement of sustainability goals.
With the developments surrounding ISO 14001:2026, environmental management is being linked even more closely to strategy, risk management, supply chain collaboration, and continuous improvement. For certified companies in the creative industry, this means that environmental management is becoming increasingly intertwined with daily processes, energy consumption, material choices, production efficiency, and customer expectations.
At Dienstencentrum, we have been helping organizations in the creative industry for many years to set up, implement, and maintain environmental management systems in accordance with ISO 14001. Thanks to our industry expertise, we translate standard requirements into practical solutions that work in the day-to-day operations of manufacturing and creative organizations.
Below, we’ll walk you through all the changes related to ISO 14001:2026 and what they mean for your organization.
Remco Glashouwer
Author
Why is ISO 9001 being revised?
According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the new standard should better align with organizations’ current practices. Companies today operate in an environment in which:
- digitalization is central;
- chains are becoming more complex;
- customers are setting higher standards;
- sustainability is becoming increasingly important;
- Organizations need to be able to change more quickly.
The new ISO 9001:2026 is therefore better aligned with modern business practices and incorporates topics that have now become essential for future-proof organizations.
What's changing in ISO 9001:2026?
Although the final text of the standard is still being developed, clear trends are evident from the official draft versions and publications.
1. Greater focus on sustainability and climate
The amendment regarding climate change, which was previously added to ISO management systems, will be fully integrated into ISO 9001:2026.
Organizations need to assess the following more thoroughly:
- which sustainability developments are relevant;
- what expectations customers and stakeholders have;
- what risks climate and environmental issues pose;
- How sustainability becomes part of the business strategy.
For graphic arts and signage companies, this ties directly into current developments such as:
- CO2 reduction;
- energy savings;
- sustainable procurement;
- circular materials;
- reporting obligations to customers.
The Service Center supports organizations in this regard by, among other things:
- integration of sustainability into the management system;
- CO2 and Energy Monitoring Using the CO2 & Energy RI&E;
- Carbon Print-Score®;
- ISO 14001 implementation processes;
- Practical roadmap guidance.
2. From Quality Management to a Culture of Quality
The new standard places greater emphasis on quality awareness and culture within organizations. Whereas ISO 9001:2015 focused primarily on processes and control measures, ISO 9001:2026 requires organizations to also demonstrate:
- how employees are engaged;
- how leadership promotes visible quality;
- how clearly responsibilities are defined;
- how continuous improvement becomes part of daily practice.
This is particularly relevant for production environments. In practice, we see that quality depends heavily on:
- interdepartmental collaboration;
- transfer between order preparation and production;
- knowledge and expertise;
- communication;
A good management system must therefore not only work “on paper,” but also in day-to-day operations.
3. A stronger focus on change management
Organizations are constantly changing. New software, automation, AI solutions, shifting customer expectations, and staffing shortages all call for greater control over change. ISO 9001:2026 therefore appears to incorporate change management more explicitly into the quality management system. Companies must better demonstrate:
- how changes are prepared;
- what risks changes entail;
- how processes are adjusted in a controlled manner;
- how the effectiveness of changes is evaluated.
Within the industry, we see this, for example, in:
- implementation of MIS and ERP systems;
- workflow automation;
- changes in printing techniques;
- software updates;
- AI-driven processes;
The Service Center helps organizations implement these changes in a controlled manner within their existing management system.
4. Digitization and data management are playing a greater role
The new standard is better suited to digital work and data-driven organizations. Topics that are emphasized more strongly include:
- digital documentation;
- proficiency in software and workflows;
- data analysis;
- traceability;
- information management;
- knowledge retention.
This is an important issue for companies in the industry. Many processes are now fully digitized, from order preparation to production and logistics. That is why it is becoming increasingly important to:
- demonstrate control over digital processes;
- manage risks related to information and data in the supply chain;
- clearly define responsibilities;
- to ensure that knowledge is retained within the organization.
Furthermore, this is closely aligned with standards such as ISO 27001 and current developments regarding NIS2 legislation and information security.
5. Greater alignment between risks, strategy, and performance
Risk-based thinking remains a key principle of ISO 9001. The new standard will in all likelihood also establish a stronger link between:
- organizational objectives;
- strategic decisions;
- risks and opportunities;
- performance indicators;
- continuous improvement.
As a result, quality management is increasingly shifting from an operational system to a strategic management tool.
What does this mean for your organization?
For many companies, ISO 9001:2026 will not require a completely new system. However, the standard does require an update to existing management systems. Key points to consider are:
- updating context and stakeholder analyses;
- incorporating sustainability and climate considerations;
- assessing digital risks;
- improving knowledge retention;
- strengthening a culture of quality;
- a review of change management;
- Updating KPIs and management reviews.
Organizations that start this process early can manage the transition effectively and avoid last-minute adjustments in preparation for certification.
How can the Service Center provide support for ISO 9001?
Dienstencentrum specializes in management systems for printing companies and print-and-sign businesses in the creative industry. We provide practical, industry-specific support for implementing changes to standards, updating your management system, and conducting internal audits in accordance with the latest standards. We also assist with process optimization, integration with ISO 14001 and ISO 27001, group certifications, and training and awareness programs for your employees, with guidance toward certification as a central focus.
Our approach is practical and tailored to the day-to-day operations of production and signage companies in the creative industry. Using our own blueprint materials, a roadmap approach, and the “StafZekerheid” concept, we help you work efficiently toward certification and continuous improvement.
Why start now?
The final publication of ISO 9001:2026 is still pending, but many organizations are already taking preparatory steps. By starting early, you can minimize future audit risks, organize your processes more efficiently, and integrate sustainability into your management system. You’ll engage employees in the changes, improve your management information, and better align with customer and supply chain requirements. Particularly within the creative industry, quality is increasingly linked to reliability, sustainability, information security, and process control.
Want to know more?
Would you like to know what ISO 9001:2026 means for your organization in practical terms? Our consultants would be happy to help you with an initial assessment, a roadmap toward implementation, and guidance toward certification. Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation consultation and more information using the form at the bottom of the page.
Why does ISO 14001 continue to evolve?
ISO 14001 is the most widely used standard for environmental management systems worldwide. The standard helps organizations manage environmental impacts, mitigate risks, and systematically integrate sustainability goals into their business operations. International developments related to climate, energy, circularity, and legislation are making environmental management increasingly strategic. Topics that are becoming increasingly important include:
- climate change;
- CO2 reduction;
- energy savings;
- circular economy;
- supply chain responsibility;
- sustainable procurement;
- reporting requirements;
- ESG requirements from customers and clients.
Expectations regarding sustainability are also rising rapidly in the creative industry. Clients are increasingly asking for:
- insight into environmental performance;
- sustainable production choices with a lower carbon footprint;
- verifiable certifications;
- CO2 reports;
- responsible material choices;
- environmentally conscious production processes.
ISO 14001 helps organizations manage these developments in a controlled and verifiable manner.
What changes are being made to ISO 14001?
Current developments related to ISO 14001 are closely aligned with the broader modernization of ISO management systems. In this context, the emphasis is increasingly on:
- climate and sustainability;
- strategic environmental policy;
- integration into business processes;
- leadership and culture;
- data-driven monitoring;
- Risk and Opportunity Management.
For organizations, this means that environmental management is becoming less and less of a standalone system and must instead be an integral part of overall business operations.
Key Topics in Modern Environmental Management
1. Climate Change and CO2 Mitigation
Climate change is playing an increasingly important role in ISO management systems. Under ISO 14001, organizations are expected to actively assess:
- which climate-related risks are relevant;
- what environmental impacts the organization causes;
- how CO2 emissions are managed;
- which sustainability goals are set.
For companies in the graphic arts and signage sector, this may include:
- energy consumption of production processes;
- transportation and logistics;
- use of materials;
- waste streams;
- emissions;
- equipment and production efficiency.
The Service Center supports organizations in this regard by, among other things:
- ISO 14001 implementations;
- environmental analyses;
- energy and CO2 monitoring (CO2 & Energy RI&E);
- Carbon Print-Score®;
- sustainability reports;
- practical improvement programs.
2. Sustainability Becomes Part of the Strategy
Whereas environmental management used to be approached primarily from an operational perspective, customers and stakeholders now expect sustainability to be an integral part of corporate strategy. ISO 14001 explicitly aligns with this expectation. Organizations must better demonstrate:
- what environmental goals are being pursued;
- how sustainability is integrated into decision-making;
- how performance is monitored;
- how continuous improvement is achieved.
Within the creative industry, we see that sustainability has become an important competitive advantage. Increasingly, sustainability plays a role in:
- bids;
- chain collaboration;
- brand positioning;
- customer selection;
- international assignments.
3. Greater focus on supply chains and suppliers
Sustainability issues are no longer limited to an organization’s own operations. Clients increasingly expect insight into the entire supply chain. ISO 14001 therefore encourages organizations to focus more closely on:
- suppliers;
- raw materials;
- transport;
- waste management;
- origin of materials;
- Environmental impacts within the supply chain.
This is relevant within the industry due to the use of:
- paper and cardboard;
- inks;
- plastics;
- transparencies;
- packaging materials;
- energy-intensive production processes.
4. Data-Driven Environmental Management
The modern ISO 14001 approach is becoming increasingly aligned with digital monitoring and data analysis. More and more organizations are using:
- real-time energy measurements;
- CO2 dashboards (CO2 & Energy Risk and Exposure Assessment);
- digital records;
- KPI monitoring;
- automated reports.
This provides a better understanding of:
- environmental performance;
- consumption;
- deviations;
- opportunities for improvement.
For organizations, this means that environmental management can be increasingly integrated with quality, production, and operations.
5. Integration with Other Management Systems
Many organizations combine ISO 14001 with other standards such as:
- ISO 9001;
- CSR and ESG reporting.
- FSC® and PEFC™;
Thanks to the common structure of ISO management systems, processes can be integrated more and more effectively. This prevents duplication of effort and ensures:
- more efficient audits;
- reduced administrative burden;
- better steering feedback;
- greater coherence between quality, sustainability, and information security.
The Service Center actively supports organizations in implementing this integrated approach.
What does this mean for your organization?
For many companies, modern environmental management does not require a completely new system, but rather a further professionalization of existing processes.
Key points to consider are:
- updating environmental aspects (Environmental Risk and Impact Assessment);
- incorporating climate and energy risks;
- improving KPIs and monitoring;
- raising awareness;
- making the supply chain more sustainable;
- better definition of objectives;
- strengthening continuous improvement.
It is precisely those organizations that integrate sustainability early on that often benefit from:
- lower costs;
- more efficient processes;
- stronger market position;
- better alignment with customer expectations.
How can the Service Center provide support?
Dienstencentrum specializes in certifications and management systems within the graphic arts, signage, and creative industries. We provide practical, industry-specific support for implementing ISO 14001, updating your environmental management system, and integrating it with standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 27001. We also assist with internal audits, environmental and energy analyses, CO2 monitoring through the CO2 & Energy RI&E and Carbon Print-Score®, training and awareness-raising, and the continuous improvement of your environmental performance—with guidance toward certification as our guiding principle.
Our approach is practical, straightforward, and tailored to the day-to-day operations of manufacturing companies and creative organizations. With our roadmap approach and industry-specific guidance, we help you organize your sustainability efforts in a way that is both demonstrable and practical.
Why invest in environmental management now?
Sustainability requirements are increasing rapidly. Customers, governments, and supply chain partners are increasingly expecting demonstrable environmental performance and reliable sustainability information. By investing in ISO 14001 now, your organization will benefit from better control of environmental risks, lower energy and waste costs, and a stronger competitive position. You’ll be better positioned to respond to tenders, gain more trust from customers, and be better prepared for future laws and regulations.
Want to know more?
Would you like to know what ISO 14001 means for your organization in practical terms? Our consultants would be happy to help you with an initial assessment, a practical gap analysis, a roadmap to implementation, and guidance toward certification. Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation consultation.
Want to learn more about ISO certifications for your business?
Please contact me for more information.