ISO 45001 continues to stand as the world’s most recognised framework for occupational health and safety, yet the way organisations approach it in 2026 is shifting. Businesses are under growing pressure to demonstrate not only compliance, but genuine care for the wellbeing of their people. As an unaccredited certification body working closely with organisations of every size, we see first-hand how expectations are evolving and how companies are adapting. What follows is a practical, grounded view of ISO 45001 certification today, shaped by the questions we receive and the industry insights we monitor daily.
One Man Show
Many organisations begin their journey by asking whether one person can realistically manage ISO 45001. It’s a fair question, especially for smaller companies where resources are stretched. The truth is that one individual can coordinate the system, but they cannot carry it alone. The standard is built on leadership commitment and worker participation; it demands shared responsibility. When employees feel heard and leaders visibly support the process, the system becomes far more than a set of documents. It becomes a culture. This is where ethos matters: people trust a system when they see it lived out, not simply written down.
Auditor Anticipations
Another recurring question concerns what auditors actually look for. There is a misconception that ISO 45001 is a paperwork exercise, but the reality is more nuanced. Yes, documented procedures matter, but auditors – accredited or otherwise – focus on evidence of real, functioning safety practices. They look for risk assessments that are current and meaningful, training that is relevant, and incident investigations that lead to genuine improvement. In our experience, organisations often underestimate the importance of day‑to‑day behaviours. A beautifully formatted manual means little if staff cannot explain how safety works in practice. This is where practicality comes into play: a logical, well‑structured system is easier to follow, easier to audit, and ultimately easier to trust.
New ISO 45001 Version
The upcoming revision of ISO 45001, expected to be published in 2027, is already influencing how organisations prepare. Early drafts and expert commentary suggest a stronger emphasis on mental health, supply chain responsibility, and the broader concept of organisational resilience. These themes reflect the realities of modern workplaces, where psychological wellbeing and contractor management are now central to safety performance. For many businesses, this shift feels daunting. Yet it also presents an opportunity to strengthen systems before the transition becomes mandatory. Unaccredited certification bodies like ours can support this preparation with flexibility, helping organisations adapt without the pressure of rigid accreditation rules.
Costs Considerations
Cost is another factor shaping decisions in 2026. Accredited certification remains the gold standard for some industries, particularly where tendering requirements demand it. However, many SMEs simply need a structured, credible framework to improve safety without the financial burden of accreditation. Unaccredited certification offers a practical alternative. It delivers the same management system principles, the same audit discipline, and the same focus on continual improvement – just without the additional layers of bureaucracy. For early‑stage businesses or those building towards accredited certification in the future, this approach is often the most sensible starting point.
Aiming at Safety
Implementing ISO 45001 itself involves several core elements. Leadership must set the direction and demonstrate commitment. Hazards must be identified systematically, and risks controlled through clear operational procedures. Legal requirements must be understood and met. Emergency preparedness must be planned, tested, and refined. And, crucially, performance must be monitored through internal audits and management reviews. These activities form the backbone of the standard, and when they are carried out with sincerity, they create safer, more resilient workplaces. This is where support from the top down has its place: behind every clause of ISO 45001 is a human story – people who deserve to go home safe, families who rely on them, and communities shaped by the organisations that operate within them.
Our Part
Our role as an unaccredited certification body is to make this journey accessible. We provide gap analyses that highlight what truly matters, not just what looks good on paper. We help organisations build documentation that reflects their reality rather than an idealised version of it. We guide teams through implementation, support internal audits, and conduct certification audits with a focus on clarity and improvement. The aim is always the same: to help organisations build systems that work for them, not systems they work for.
As 2026 progresses, the organisations that thrive will be those that embrace ISO 45001 not as an obligation, but as an opportunity. Safety is no longer a box‑ticking exercise; it is a strategic advantage. Whether a business chooses accredited or unaccredited certification, the value lies in the commitment to protect people and strengthen resilience. And that, ultimately, is what ISO 45001 is all about.
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