Transition to ISO 50001:2018

Bulletin date:
Bulletin number:
2019-04

Affected program  

For Management Systems Accreditation Program (MSAP) customers who certify to ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems (EnMS).

 

Background

In August of 2018, ISO issued a revised version of ISO 50001. This 2018 version replaces the 2011 version and specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an energy management system. Annex A provides guidance for the use of this document. Annex B provides a comparison of this edition with the previous edition.

 

The intended outcome is to enable an organization to follow a systematic approach in achieving continual improvement of energy performance and the EnMS.

 

ISO 50001:2018 is applicable to any organization regardless of its type, size, complexity, geographical location, organizational culture or the products and services it provides.

 

The standard is applicable to activities affecting energy performance that are managed and controlled by the organization, irrespective of the quantity, use, or types of energy consumed.

 

ISO 50001:2018 requires demonstration of continual energy performance improvement, but does not define levels of energy performance improvement to be achieved. It can be used independently, or be aligned or integrated with other management systems.

 

Actions required

Starting from the date of publication of this bulletin SCC will be ready to carry out transition assessments for ISO 50001:2018 and any new applications for EnMS accreditation need to consider ISO 50001:2018. 

 

The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) has set forth a three (3) year transition period for all CBs to certify all of their clients to the 2018 standard, including a period of 18 months for accreditation bodies to transition certification bodies accredited for the revised ISO 50001 standard.

 

SCC accredited CBs shall complete the transition for ISO 50001:2018 by 2020-02-21.

 

SCC accredited CBs shall cease conducting audits, including initial, surveillance and recertification to the ISO 50001:2011 by 2020-02-21. The outcomes of such audits to the revision of ISO 50001:2011 shall be considered by the CBs for further decision on accredited certifications to ISO 50001:2011, as deemed appropriate.

 

That said, SCC understands that many of the CBs’ new and existing clients will want to transition sooner than that. Therefore, SCC encourages the CBs to start developing their transition plans as soon as possible, and to advise their Account Manager when they would like to be assessed on the transition. 

 

SCC accredited CBs shall submit their transition plans by 2019-09-21.

 

The CB transition plan should include, but may not be limited to the following:

  • A gap analysis between the previous and current revision of ISO 50001 standards, identifying the necessary changes to current processes/procedures (e. g. audit time determination, audit plan/checklists/report, certificate template, etc.);
  • Impact related to competence of CB personnel involved in application review, audit, technical review and certification decision;
  • Transition process for ISO 50001 existing and new certification clients, including communications with the certification clients;
  • Supporting evidence of implementation of changes resulting from the gap analysis, as relevant to processes/procedures/templates, personnel competence, communication with clients, etc.

 

Note that these transition plans can be assessed at either the head office assessment of the CB, or at any other time through a desk assessment process. SCC professional fees shall apply. 

 

No witness audit will be required, however once a CB has transitioned and/or as of 2020-02-21, only witness audits to the 2018 version of ISO 50001 shall be accepted.

 

CBs should note that until SCC has approved their transition plan and updated their scope of accreditation to include ISO 50001:2018, CBs shall not issue any ISO 50001:2018 certificates under their SCC accreditation.

 

Key Deadlines

  • 2019-09-21: All accredited CBs shall submit their transition plans for ISO 50001:2018 to SCC.
  • 2020-02-21: All CBs shall complete the transition for ISO 50001:2018 and shall cease conducting audits to the ISO 50001:2011.
  • 2021-08-21: Transition period for ISO 50001:2018 is over. All ISO 50001:2011 certifications shall expire or be withdrawn.

 

Questions?

Please contact Elias Rafoul, Vice President, Accreditation Services, at elias.rafoul@scc-ccn.ca or +1 613 238 3222 for more information.