ISO 45001:2026
- Second draft of the standard published

Further Development of Safety Culture and Workplace Well-being 

As part of the ongoing revision of ISO 45001, an updated version of the Committee Draft has been published. In addition to changes to the standard itself, the draft also includes a revised version of the informative Annex A.

ISO 45001, the international standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S) management systems, is being further developed to address current requirements related to prevention, work organization, and employee well-being.

What changes are included in the new draft of ISO 45001?

  • Strengthened integration of safety culture

    The revision places an even greater emphasis on building and promoting a preventive safety culture. Employees’ health, safety, and well-being are highlighted as key elements of an effective occupational health and safety management system.

  • Expanded focus on work-related well-being

    The revised Annex A clarifies that occupational health and safety management extends beyond the prevention of workplace accidents and work-related illnesses.

    Organizations are expected to systematically consider and promote employees’ physical, psychological, social, and cognitive well-being.

  • Involvement of modern ways of working

    The draft addresses the interplay between work-related demands and personal responsibilities. According to the draft, flexible ways of working and adapted work arrangements can make an important contribution to supporting and promoting employee well-being.

  • Focus on diversity and inclusion

    A new section in Annex A addresses the topic of diversity in greater depth. It takes into account factors such as gender, age, disability, competencies, language skills, cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, reproductive health, migration status, and chronic illnesses.

The Significance of the ISO 45001 Revision for Organizations

The increased involvement of employees, combined with a clear focus on prevention and well-being, provides organizations with an opportunity to strategically further develop their occupational health and safety efforts.

The final version of the revised ISO 45001 standard is not expected to be published before late 2026 and may be subject to further content changes until then.

References to Supporting ISO Guidance

As part of the current revision, ISO 45001 increasingly refers to supplementary ISO guidance that can support organizations in their implementation efforts. These documents address emerging developments in the working environment and provide more detailed guidance on specific areas of occupational health and safety. This includes, among others:

  • ISO 45003:2021 – Psychological health and safety at work
  • ISO 45006:2024 – Guidelines for the prevention and management of infectious diseases
  • ISO/PAS 45007:2025 – Occupational health and safety risks related to climate change and climate adaptation
  • ISO/CD 45008:2025 – Guidelines for remote working
  • ISO/DIS 45010:2025 – Menstrual health and working environment

By taking these guidance into account, organizations can systematically integrate new requirements into their existing management systems and prepare well in advance for the forthcoming version of the standard.

Bureau Veritas helps organizations evaluate the proposed changes and supports a structured preparation process for the forthcoming requirements of ISO 45001.

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