Following extensive stakeholder consultation, Australia will begin the adoption process for the International Standard ISO 45001, Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use.

This decision, initially recommended by Standards Australia’s Technical Committee SF-001, Occupational Health & Safety Management, has been endorsed following further consultation with a broad range of experts from across government, industry, employee associations, and academic institutions.

As a step in all international adoptions, the document will be open to the public for comment for six weeks, starting today and concluding 28 August 2018.

AS/NZS ISO 45001 will include commentary on how the adopted standard relates to the occupational health and safety legislative framework in Australia. This content is available to all during public comment.

Following public comment, the final standard, AS/NZS ISO 45001, is expected for publication in late 2018.

“Australian experts actively participated in the development of ISO 45001,” said CEO of Standards Australia, Dr Bronwyn Evans. “We have since worked closely with the committee and a wider set of stakeholders to determine the most suitable solution for the Australian context.”

“With the decision to adopt ISO 45001 we see Australia’s continued commitment to safer occupational health and safety practices across workplaces of all sectors and sizes.”

Work is also under way to scope what additional guidance could be provided on AS/NZS ISO 45001 to support organisations and individuals utilising the standard.

‍

Frequently asked questions on ISO 45001

What is ISO 45001?

ISO 45001 is an International Standard that provides guidance to organisations and individuals responsible for safe work systems. You can learn more about ISO 45001 on the ISO website.

‍

What will happen to the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4801:2001, Occupational health and safety management systems - Specification with guidance for use?

If AS/NZS ISO 45001 is adopted in Australia as a voluntary standard, consideration will be given to the status of AS/NZS 4801 which today remains a current Australian Standard.

‍

What does it mean for those already certified to the current Australian Standard?

Standards Australia is not a government agency or a regulator and we are not involved in the certification or testing process in order to determine compliance with an Australian Standard. For information on the potential transition to AS/NZS ISO 45001, please contact a certification body, which can be located using the JAS-ANZ Accredited Bodies directory.

‍

How do I view the draft AS/NZS ISO 45001 and submit comments?

All drafts currently open to the public can be found on our Public Comment portal. This page includes instructions on how to access the draft and submit comments.

In the case of AS/NZS ISO 45001, there are copyright restrictions meaning only the additional commentary added to AS/NZS ISO 45001 is available to view before the standard is adopted. This commentary explains how the adopted standard relates to the occupational health and safety legislative framework in Australia.

The public comment process for New Zealand will be managed separately through Standards New Zealand.

‍

‍

‍