DAkkS on the transition to ISO 14001:2026: accredited certification bodies by 30 April 2027, organisations’ certificates by 30 April 2029
On 18 September 2026 the German accreditation body DAkkS announced its transition plan for DIN EN ISO 14001:2026, published in April 2026. DAkkS is already accepting applications and transition documentation; the deadlines follow the mandatory document Global ACI-TECH-3-TR 2029-04-30 (M).
- An accredited certification body submits an application to change its accreditation scope together with a gap analysis and evidence of implementing the revised requirements. Transition of DAkkS-accredited bodies is to be completed by 30 April 2027.
- DAkkS assesses the transition on the basis of documents; an on-site assessment is as a rule not needed, and if questions remain open DAkkS may request further evidence or documents. Assessors trained in ISO 14001:2026 carry it out.
- From 31 October 2027 bodies may not accept applications for initial certification to ISO 14001:2015; all certificates must be moved to the new edition by 30 April 2029. According to Global ACI, from 31 October 2027 new and initial accredited certificates may only be issued to ISO 14001:2026, and organisations may transition at a surveillance or recertification audit or in a separate transition audit.
- Global ACI also set deadlines for accreditation and certification bodies: readiness to assess to the new standard by 31 October 2026, certification bodies’ transition declarations by 31 January 2027 and accreditation bodies’ decisions by 30 April 2027. The requirements are mandatory for Global ACI MRA signatories; the new standard builds on the established framework without fundamentally changing its approach and puts more emphasis on climate, biodiversity, resource efficiency and the value chain.
Source: DAkkS — DAkkS-Übergangsplan für DIN EN ISO 14001:2026 (Fachmeldung, 18.09.2026)