The ballot to determine whether the Draft International Standard (DIS) will be issued is now open and will run until 14 April.
This stage moves the draft from committee development into formal international voting and review. For certified organisations, this provides early visibility of the likely direction of the revised standard and an opportunity to begin preparing.
What the DIS ballot means
The DIS ballot allows national standards bodies to review the draft, submit comments and vote on progression.
At this stage, the structure and intent of the standard are largely established. While some detail may still change, the main themes are unlikely to shift significantly. Organisations that engage with the DIS can begin assessing impacts and planning next steps.
What’s likely to change in ISO 45001
ISO 45001 is being updated to reflect changes in the working environment and broader expectations of organisations.
Key areas of focus are expected to include:
- Psychosocial health and wellbeing – greater focus on stress and workplace culture
- Climate-related risks – consideration of environmental factors affecting worker safety
- Ways of working – including hybrid models and digital environments
- Supply chain control – increased expectations for outsourced activities
- Leadership and accountability – stronger emphasis on engagement and oversight
- Diversity and worker-specific needs – increased recognition of different workforce groups, including gender-related health and safety considerations
- The revision is expected to address workforce diversity and demographic differences, ensuring safety management reflects the needs of all workers
- ISO is actively promoting gender-responsive standards, recognising physical, physiological and social differences to improve safety and wellbeing outcomes
These updates reflect the evolution of health and safety since 2018, driven by changing working environments and the need to address a broader range of worker needs. They signal a move towards ensuring outcomes that protect people in practice, rather than relying on compliance alone.
Timeline for publication and transition
Current expectations indicate that ISO 45001:2027 will be published mid-way through 2027.
A transition period of three years is expected. This follows the approach taken in other recent ISO management system revisions, including ISO 9001:2026 and ISO 14001:2026.
How LRQA is supporting your transition
To help you stay in control, we’ve launched the Transition Club: your one-stop hub for expert guidance, training, gap analysis tools and everything you need to manage your transition with confidence.
LRQA’s Transition Club is your priority-access pass to:
- Expert breakdowns of the ISO updates
- Practical guidance, FAQs and video explainers
- Gap analysis tools and transition planning advice
- Invitations to exclusive webinars and training
- First access to new resources as they launch
It's free to join – sign up today.
Preparing for the next stage
The opening of the DIS ballot marks a key step in the revision process.
Organisations should begin reviewing current systems against emerging themes and consider how changes may affect their operations. Early engagement will support a smoother transition once the revised standard is published.
LRQA will continue to provide updates and guidance as the revision progresses.
Find out more about upcoming standard transitions.
