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ISO 9001 & ISO 14001: key lessons from 20,000 audits to anticipate the 2026 versions

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Agri-food expertise

With the new versions ofISO 9001 and ISO 14001 scheduled for release in 2026, AFNOR analyzed nearly 20,000 audit reports to understand how organizations actually apply these two major standards. This study offers a unique overview of quality and environmental management practices, identifying the most effective performance drivers and the most common weaknesses. It is a strategic tool for anticipating future developments and strengthening the maturity of management systems.

Key lessons from ISO 9001 audits: competence as a differentiating factor
An analysis of 14,000 ISO 9001 audits highlights a key finding: the management of organizational skills and knowledge is both the area best mastered by some organizations... and the one that generates the most non-conformities in others. This duality reveals a major challenge: quality performance depends on the ability to identify critical competencies, structure knowledge transfer, and clarify roles and responsibilities.
The most successful organizations transform these requirements into solid operational practices. Conversely, the gaps observed show that documentation, training, and knowledge management remain very heterogeneous across sectors and company sizes. This variability explains why skills mastery appears to be a strong marker of maturity and a direct lever for customer satisfaction.

A few trends stand out in particular:

  • Critical skills are sometimes poorly identified, which undermines operational continuity.
  • Quality documentation is not always accessible, limiting the adoption of processes.
  • Responsibilities are sometimes unclear, which complicates decision-making and the resolution of discrepancies.

ISO 14001: operational control, both a strength and a weakness
With regard to ISO 14001, audits show that section 8.1: operational control has the greatest number of strengths... but also weaknesses. Advanced organizations demonstrate rigorous management of their activities, integrating environmental risks into their daily operations. However, the study also reveals persistent weaknesses, particularly in waste management, hazardous substances, and emergency preparedness.
These discrepancies serve as a reminder that environmental performance is based on a systemic approach, where environmental analysis must become a real decision-making tool. However, in many organizations, this analysis remains too descriptive and is not used sufficiently to guide actions and priorities.
The study also highlights a key factor: leadership commitment. The organizations that are making the most rapid progress are those where management is actively driving the ecological transition and where staff are involved in the process. They go beyond compliance by integrating the environment into their strategy through eco-design, the circular economy, or life cycle analysis.

Anticipating the 2026 versions: a strategic challenge for organizations
The future versions of the standards, expected in spring 2026 for ISO 14001 and fall 2026 for ISO 9001, will reinforce themes already visible in audits: quality culture, ethical behavior, supply chain, and emerging technologies. These developments are part of a desire to adapt management systems to new operational, societal, and technological challenges.
In this context, the lessons learned from the 20,000 audits analyzed are a valuable indicator for anticipating regulatory changes and preparing action plans. The study offers a concrete look at how organizations apply standards on a daily basis, far beyond the text of the standards themselves. It identifies the requirements that are best mastered, areas of recurring weakness, and the most effective performance levers. For certified organizations or those in the process of certification, it is an essential management tool.

Download the full study

The study proposed by AFNOR offers a detailed analysis, exclusive graphs, and operational recommendations to strengthen your management systems and anticipate developments in 2026. It is intended for all organizations wishing to compare themselves to an international benchmark and improve their performance in a sustainable manner.

Download the full study to access all insights and prepare for your transition to the new ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 versions.

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ISO 14067 Taiwan
Taiwan

"Fobao International Certification" Completes ISO 14067 Product Carbon Footprint Verification for the Department of Anesthesiology at Shuanghe Hospital

"Fabao International Certification" recently announced that the Department of Anesthesiology at "Shuanghe Hospital" has completed Taiwan's first ISO 14067:2018 product carbon footprint verification "classified by anesthesia method" and obtained a verification statement. These verification results confirm that the hospital has established a system for managing the carbon footprint of its surgical anesthesia services that complies with international standards. As an internationally recognized third-party verification body, "Fabao International Certification" conducted this verification in accordance with the ISO 14067 standard, independently assessing the carbon footprints of four anesthesia methods—endotracheal intubation, intravenous anesthesia, mask anesthesia, and spinal anesthesia—in the Anesthesiology Department of "Shuanghe Hospital." The verification process confirmed that the hospital’s data collection, emissions calculation, and management procedures comply with international standards. The verification results show that, regardless of the type of anesthesia, over 80% of carbon emissions are concentrated during the surgical anesthesia administration phase, with the primary sources being energy use and equipment operation. Operating rooms have long been the most resource-intensive units in hospitals, accounting for approximately one-quarter of the hospital’s total carbon emissions. These verification findings provide a scientific basis for precisely identifying carbon reduction targets and optimizing medical processes in the future. The professional verification team at “Fasbo International Certification” noted that healthcare institutions breaking down their carbon footprint assessments to the level of clinical operations demonstrates that sustainability management is deeply embedded in their daily operational processes. Shuanghe Hospital’s completion of this verification highlights concrete progress in the healthcare industry’s transition toward net-zero emissions. "Fasbo International Certification" has long provided product carbon footprint verification services, assisting various industries in establishing credible environmental performance data. In the future, it will continue to promote the implementation of sustainable governance goals in Taiwan’s healthcare and related industries through professional verification.

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Taiwan ISO 14067
Taiwan

"Fobao International Certification" Completes ISO 14067 Product Carbon Footprint Verification for "Yatong Hospital's" SBRT Services

"Fabao International Certification" recently announced that the Department of Radiation Oncology at "Yatong Hospital" has completed the ISO 14067:2018 product carbon footprint verification for its stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) services for breast cancer and prostate cancer, and has officially been awarded a verification statement. These verification results confirm that the hospital’s carbon footprint data and management system comply with international standards. As an internationally recognized third-party verification body, "Fabao International Certification" conducted an independent assessment of the carbon footprint scope definition, data collection, calculation methods, and selection of emission factors for "Yatong Hospital’s" SBRT services in accordance with the ISO 14067 standard. The verification process confirmed that the carbon emission data for these services is complete, consistent, and transparent, and can serve as a basis for future carbon reduction management. The SBRT technology implemented by “Yatong Hospital” significantly reduces the number of treatment sessions required—which typically ranges from 20 to 39 in traditional radiation therapy—to just 5 sessions. Verification results show that through optimized electricity usage, reduced medical consumables, and minimized waste, overall carbon emissions are approximately 60% lower than those of traditional treatment regimens. This achievement also reduces the transportation burden and time costs for patients traveling to and from the hospital. The professional verification team at “Fasbo International Certification” noted that the verification of a medical service’s product carbon footprint signifies that the institution has incorporated environmental performance into its service quality management system. “Yatong Hospital” has established a carbon footprint management system compliant with international standards, creating an important practical case study for the low-carbon transition of Taiwan’s healthcare industry. “Fabao International Certification” has long provided product carbon footprint verification services, assisting various industries in establishing credible environmental performance data. In the future, it will continue to promote the implementation of sustainable transformation goals in the healthcare and related industries through professional verification.

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Taiwan

"Fobao International Certification" Completes ISO 14064-1 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Verification for "Shengjie Construction"

"Fabao International Certification" recently announced that "Shengjie Construction Co., Ltd." has successfully passed third-party verification of its ISO 14064-1:2018 greenhouse gas inventory. This verification confirms that the company's greenhouse gas emissions data and management system comply with international standards, demonstrating concrete results in institutionalizing its commitment to sustainability. As an internationally recognized third-party verification body, "Fabao International Certification" conducted an independent assessment of "Shengjie Construction’s" organizational boundaries, emission source identification, and data collection and calculation processes in accordance with the ISO 14064-1 standard. The verification process confirmed that the company has established a systematic foundation for carbon management, and that its inventory results are reliable and can serve as a basis for formulating future carbon reduction strategies. Sheng Jie Construction, a construction firm in the Taoyuan area, proactively implemented ISO 14064-1 verification and published a sustainability report despite the absence of mandatory regulatory requirements. In addition to promoting low-carbon building materials and energy-efficient designs on the environmental front, the company has long promoted a “community health check” mechanism on the social front, assisting communities where homes have already been delivered in maintaining building quality, thereby demonstrating its commitment to resident relations and the management of the building’s entire life cycle. The professional verification team at “Fasbia International Certification” noted that a company’s voluntary adoption of greenhouse gas inventory verification signifies that it views carbon management as an essential component of organizational governance. By establishing a management system compliant with international standards, “Sheng Jie Construction” has set an important practical example for the sustainable development of Taiwan’s construction industry. "Fasbia International Certification" has long provided greenhouse gas inventory verification services, assisting various industries in establishing credible environmental performance data. In the future, it will continue to promote the implementation of sustainable governance goals by Taiwanese companies through professional verification.

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