ISO 9001 Amendment 1: Climate action changes

In the context of a quality management system (QMS), an organization is responsible for identifying and addressing issues that are relevant to its operations and stakeholders. This includes considering the potential impact of climate change on its QMS.

In this article, Mohammed Ali Kabeer, the Technical & Certification Director, guides readers through the process of assessing whether climate change holds significance for an organization’s Quality Management System (QMS).

Context of the organization

The organization should assess its internal and external context to understand the factors that may affect its ability to achieve its quality objectives. This assessment should include the identification of environmental factors, such as climate change, that could impact the organization's operations, supply chain, or customer expectations.

Stakeholder expectations

Organizations should engage with their stakeholders to understand their expectations and concerns. This may involve consulting with customers, suppliers, employees, regulatory bodies, and communities. If stakeholders express concerns about climate change or its potential impact on the organization's products, services, or reputation, it suggests that climate change is a relevant issue to consider within the QMS.

A stakeholder expectations diagram that specifically addresses stakeholders' expectations and concerns about climate change and its potential impact on the organization's products, services, or reputation:

In this example, the diagram represents the Climate Change Impact, Concerns and Expectations regarding climate change and its potential effects on the organization's products, services, or reputation.

For example, Stakeholder A is concerned about climate change and expects high quality, low cost, adherence to the timeline, and effective communication. Stakeholder B also expresses concern about climate change and expects low cost, adherence to the timeline, and effective communication. Stakeholder C is concerned about climate change and expects high quality, but no specific expectations are mentioned for cost, timeline, or communication. Stakeholder D expects low cost, effective communication, and expresses concern about climate change, but specific expectations for quality and timeline are not mentioned. Stakeholder E expects high quality, low cost, adherence to the timeline, and expresses concern about climate change, but no specific expectations for communication are mentioned.

This diagram helps to highlight stakeholders' expectations and concerns related to climate change, allowing the organization to better understand and address these issues in its products, services, and reputation management strategies.

Legal and regulatory requirements

Organizations should identify and comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations, and standards. In many jurisdictions, there are regulations related to greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, waste management, and other environmental aspects associated with climate change. Compliance with these requirements may necessitate the integration of climate change considerations into the QMS. refer the Tasks and Responsibilities of Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture in Saudi Arabia.

Risks and opportunities

Organizations should conduct a risk assessment to identify potential risks and opportunities related to their QMS. Climate change can introduce various risks, such as supply chain disruptions, increased resource scarcity, or reputational damage. Conversely, it may also present opportunities for innovation, energy efficiency improvements, or the development of climate-friendly products or services. Evaluating these risks and opportunities can help determine the relevance of climate change to the QMS.

Creating a graph that accurately depicts the impact of climate change on quality management systems within an organization would involve a complex analysis of data from various sources. Such a graph would typically illustrate how climate-related variables affect different aspects of quality management, like supply chain reliability, resource availability, and operational efficiency.

Frequency of climate-related disruptions affecting supply chains.

Changes in resource quality or availability due to environmental shifts.

Regulatory changes in response to climate change that impact quality standards.

Climate change can create various opportunities for organizations and industries to adapt, innovate, and contribute to sustainability. Here are some examples of potential opportunities resulting from climate change impact:

Renewable Energy: The transition to clean and renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, presents significant opportunities for companies involved in the development, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of renewable energy technologies.

Energy Efficiency: Increased awareness of energy consumption and the need for efficiency creates opportunities for businesses that provide energy-efficient products and solutions, including energy-efficient appliances, smart energy management systems, and green building technologies.

Sustainable Agriculture: Climate change impacts agriculture and food production. There are opportunities for sustainable farming practices, precision agriculture technologies, organic farming, and the development of climate-resilient crops that can withstand changing weather patterns.

Green Building and Infrastructure: The demand for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buildings and infrastructure is growing. This presents opportunities for companies involved in green construction materials, energy-efficient design, smart building technologies, and sustainable urban planning.

Climate Adaptation and Resilience: As climate change brings about more extreme weather events, there is a need for solutions that enhance resilience and adaptation. This includes technologies for flood management, water conservation, disaster preparedness, and infrastructure resilience.

Sustainable Transportation: The shift toward low-carbon transportation systems offers opportunities for electric vehicles (EVs), charging infrastructure, public transportation solutions, and sustainable logistics and supply chain management.

Climate Education and Awareness: Increasing public awareness and understanding of climate change create opportunities for educational institutions, sustainability consultants, and organizations that offer climate-related training programs and awareness campaigns.

Continuous improvement: QMSs are designed to drive continuous improvement within an organization. Considering climate change as a relevant issue aligns with the broader concept of sustainability and responsible business practices. Organizations that proactively address climate change can enhance their resilience, minimize risks, and optimize their operations, leading to improved quality performance.

Based on the assessment of these factors, the organization can determine whether climate change is a relevant issue to its QMS. If it is determined to be relevant, the organization should integrate climate change considerations into its quality objectives, policies, processes, and performance indicators. This may involve setting targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, implementing energy-efficient practices, promoting sustainable sourcing, or adopting environmentally friendly technologies.

By recognizing and addressing the potential impacts of climate change within the QMS, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship, meet stakeholder expectations, and contribute to a sustainable future.

If you’re looking to contact QSCert in the Middle East, you can reach out to them through the following means:

• QSCert Middle East - Bahrain: You can contact their office located at Almoayyed Tower, 19th Floor, Office 1908, Building 2504, Road 2832, Block Number 428, Al-Seef District, Kingdom of Bahrain. The telephone number is +973-1616 70181.
• QSCert Middle East - Saudi Arabia: Their office is situated at Al Khobar Mall, 5460 King Fahd Road, Al Hizam Al Thahabi, Al Khobar, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. You can call them at 9200161462.

For more detailed inquiries or specific certification needs, you can visit their official website3. They offer a wide range of services including ISO certification, cybersecurity assessment, food safety certification, and more. Their team of experts is ready to assist you with your certification requirements and provide guidance throughout the process.