The Draft International Standard (DIS) for ISO 45001:2027

The Draft International Standard (DIS) for ISO 45001:2027 has now been released, marking the start of its public review and comment phase.

ISO 45001, the global standard for occupational health and safety management systems, establishes a structured system that helps organizations safeguard workers and integrate health and safety into everyday operations.

• ISO/DIS 45001 2026-06-16 – A proposed version of the standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OH&SMS) – Requirements with guidance for use.

ISO 45001 

Currently under revision, the standard is being updated to reflect modern work environments, emerging risks, and growing workplace diversity. These changes place even greater importance on leadership and organizational culture, ensuring the standard stays relevant in a rapidly evolving world of work.

The new version does not rewrite the standard but creates clarity in response to how the work environment revolves. The goal is to reinforce health & safety and establish a model that is sustainable.

These changes were shaped by global contribution, user feedback, expertise, and input from government, workers, leadership and other resources to implement what’s important, so the updates are not just speculation.

Why the update to ISO 45001?

The pandemic has fundamentally changed how and where work is performed. At the same time, new technologies are reshaping workplaces and making supply chains increasingly complex and interconnected.

ISO 45001:2027 changes reinforce leadership responsibilities, expands coverage of emerging risks, and enhances worker protection in an evolving work environment with an emphasis in improved accountability and worker engagement.

Highlighting mental health, wellbeing, and psychosocial risks, aligns the standard with today’s work realities. It will reflect more importance on mental health and well-being and help keep people healthy rather than just safe.

Organizations today consistently introducing more technology, processes, and new ways of working. The updated version will concentrate more on addressing risk before harm occurs.

Recognizing emerging risks such as psychosocial factors, human‑technology interaction, and increasingly diverse and distributed workforces, the standard accentuates that workers have different needs at different stages of their work life and that individual capabilities must be considered.

Health and safety decision making shouldn’t operate in isolation. Planning, implementation of change, managing, and delivering their objectives, must rely on the organization, the employees, and the stakeholders.

Other improvements include content to clarify and align ISO 45001 with other iso standards so they can work together. This will make it easier to incorporate other management systems, such as quality and environmental.

Conclusion

It is critical that ISO 45001 remains practical, relevant, and useable for organizations of all sizes and sectors.

Protecting people is not just a regulatory requirement, it is fundamental to an organization’s success; with one simple principle, that everyone goes home safe and well.

ISO 45001 is targeted to be published as a revised international standard in 2027.

Please note that the standard is still subject to change.

Purchase a copy of the proposed version of the standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OH&SMS) – Requirements with guidance for use. ISO/DIS 45001 2026-06-16