Cuban companies certified under the NC-ISO 14001:2015 standard will have a transition period of two years and nine months to adapt their environmental management systems to the new NC-ISO 14001:2026 version.
The update follows the publication, on April 15, of the fourth edition of the international standard ISO 14001:2026, dedicated to environmental management systems and their requirements for implementation in organizations.
According to the Certification Department of the National Standards Office (ONN), the new edition replaces ISO 14001:2015 and its 2024 amendment, following a technical review of its content.
The standard provides a framework for organizations to protect the environment, respond to changing environmental conditions, and harmonize these objectives with socioeconomic needs.
“Although the general changes are considered minimal, each organization should assess their impact according to its context, activities, and level of risk,” states the press release issued by the ONN.
Among the main updates are the refinement of terms and definitions to align them with the Harmonized Structure of Management System Standards; clarifications regarding the availability of documented information; and the incorporation of aspects related to climate change in the sections concerning the organization’s context and stakeholders.
The concept of “legal and other requirements” is also replaced by “compliance obligations.” A specific section on risks and opportunities has been added, along with provisions on action and change planning.
The formal transition period began with the official publication of NC-ISO 14001:2026 on May 15, 2026. Consequently, certificates issued under NC-ISO 14001:2015 will no longer be valid after February 15, 2029.
From November 2, 2026, certified organizations may undergo follow-up or renewal audits under the new version of the standard. To do so, they must notify the Certification Department or the Head of the Technical Area of ​​their decision to update and report any changes to their environmental management system for scheduling purposes.
The update will not require additional audit time. Certificates adapted to NC-ISO 14001:2026 will maintain their certification cycles, provided the process is carried out within the established transition guidelines.
Entities that undergo certification or renewal audits under the previous standard after the issuance of this information note may obtain certificates valid until May 15, 2029, the date on which the transition plan concludes. Subsequently, they must update to the new version to adjust the validity dates according to their certification cycle.
According to ONN Certification Directors, the main recommendation for organizations is not to postpone the process. Experiences associated with the transitions from the 2004 and 2015 ISO versions demonstrate that leaving the update until the final months can lead to rushed audits, more nonconformities, and additional costs.
As part of the preparation, it is suggested that organizations study the new requirements, conduct a diagnostic assessment of their environmental management system, identify gaps, and establish corrective actions. It is also recommended to pay special attention to formalizing change planning and updating Cuban environmental legal requirements.
It is also essential to disseminate the changes among workers, managers, and other stakeholders, strengthening awareness of the importance of environmental management in achieving institutional objectives and contributing to sustainable development.
[ SOURCE: AGENCIA CUBANA DE NOTICIAS ]
