IAF passes a resolution on transition to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001

Conformity assessment bodies must carry out all initial, surveillance and recertification audits to the new versions as of 15 March 2018.

The global association for developing the principles and practices for the conduct of conformity assessment, IAF, has passed a resolution that, as of 15 March 2018, conformity assessment bodies must conduct all ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 initial, surveillance and recertification audits to the new versions: ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015. Failure to achieve certification to the new standards by the 15 September 2018 deadline invalidates previous certifications.

This is a push the CQI has been keen to see for some time, and supports its long-held view that organisations should seize this opportunity to exploit the benefits of aligning their management systems with the most recent versions of these standards.

ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 place leadership and the commitment of top management, risk-based thinking, appreciation of organisational context and a process approach, front and centre. The standards provide organisations with a framework on which to build effective management systems. It also offers organisations with OHSAS 18001 management systems a platform from which to migrate to ISO 45001.

Organisations that have yet to start their transition to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 should take action now to avoid the risk of missing the deadline.