Overview
ISO 16000-40:2019/Amd 1:2024 amends the International Standard ISO 16000-40, which defines an Indoor Air Quality Management System (IAQ MS) framework. The 2024 Amendment 1 introduces targeted climate action changes, requiring organizations implementing the IAQ MS to assess the relevance of climate change to their indoor air quality activities and to consider climate-related requirements from interested parties.
Key excerpt from the amendment:
- Clause 4.1 (added sentence): “The organization shall determine whether climate change is a relevant issue.”
- Clause 4.2 (added note): “NOTE Relevant interested parties can have requirements related to climate change.”
Key topics and requirements
- Climate relevance assessment: Organizations must determine whether climate change is relevant to their IAQ management system and document that determination.
- Consideration of interested parties: The amendment highlights that stakeholders (building owners, occupants, regulators, clients) may have climate-related expectations or requirements that affect IAQ objectives and controls.
- Integration with IAQ management: While the amendment is concise, it signals that climate-related risks and requirements should be considered when planning, implementing, and maintaining an indoor air quality management system.
- Compliance and documentation: Organizations will need to reflect the climate relevance decision and any stakeholder requirements in their IAQ MS records and planning activities.
Applications and who should use it
This amendment is relevant for organizations and professionals responsible for indoor air quality and building environmental performance, including:
- Building owners and facility managers
- HVAC designers and maintenance teams
- Indoor air quality (IAQ) consultants and auditors
- Occupational health and safety and environmental managers
- Sustainability and climate resilience teams in public and private sectors
- Property developers, schools, hospitals, and office portfolio managers
Use cases include assessing IAQ risks in the context of a changing climate (e.g., extreme weather, wildfire smoke, humidity shifts), incorporating climate-related stakeholder requirements into IAQ policies, and aligning IAQ programs with broader climate action or resilience initiatives.
Related standards (to consider)
- ISO 16000 series (other parts covering indoor air measurement and guidance)
- ISO 14001 (Environmental management systems) - for broader climate and environmental management integration
- ISO 45001 (Occupational health and safety) - for worker health aspects related to IAQ
By explicitly adding climate-change considerations, ISO 16000-40:2019/Amd 1:2024 helps organizations align indoor air quality management with contemporary climate risks and stakeholder expectations, strengthening resilience and sustainability in building operations.