Lesson 08 - Transision Matrix (Clause 9: Performance Evaluation)

9          Performance evaluation

9.1         Monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation

9.1.1        General

The organization shall evaluate its environmental performance and the effectiveness of the environmental management system.

The organization shall determine:

1. what needs to be monitored, measured and analysed;
2. the methods for monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation, as applicable, to ensure valid results;
3. the criteria against which the organization will evaluate its environmental performance, and appropriate indicators;
4. when the monitoring and measuring shall be performed;
5. when the results from monitoring and measurement shall be analyzed and

The organization shall ensure that calibrated or verified monitoring and measurement equipment is used and maintained, as appropriate.

The organization shall communicate relevant environmental performance information both internally and externally, as identified in its communication process(es) and as required by its compliance obligations.

Appropriate documented information shall be available as evidence of the monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation results.

9 Performance evaluation

9.1 Monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation

9.1.1 General

The organization shall monitor, measure, analyze and evaluate its environmental performance.

The organization shall determine:

1. what needs to be monitored and measured;
2. the methods for monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation, as applicable, to ensure valid results;
3. the criteria against which the organization will evaluate its environmental performance, and appropriate indicators;
4. when the monitoring and measuring shall be performed;
5. when the results from monitoring and measurement shall be analyzed and evaluated.

The organization shall ensure that calibrated or verified monitoring and measurement equipment is used and maintained, as appropriate.

The organization shall evaluate its environmental performance and the effectiveness of the environmental management system.

The organization shall communicate relevant environmental performance information both internally and externally, as identified in its communication process(es) and as required by its compliance obligations.

The organization shall retain appropriate documented information as evidence of the monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation results.

Clauses 9.1–9.3

9.1.1: The title adds a serial comma. The 2026 opening combines evaluation of environmental performance with evaluation of environmental-management-system effectiveness.

Item (a) expressly adds analysis to what must be determined.

The evidence requirement changes from the organization retaining documented information to appropriate documented information being available.

9.1.2 Evaluation of compliance

The organization shall establish, implement and maintain the process(es) needed to evaluate if it is meeting its compliance obligations.

The organization shall:

1. determine the frequency that compliance will be evaluated;
2. evaluate compliance and take action if needed;
3. maintain knowledge and understanding of its compliance

Appropriate documented information shall be available as evidence of the compliance evaluation result(s).

9.1.2 Evaluation of compliance

The organization shall establish, implement and maintain the process(es) needed to evaluate fulfillment of its compliance obligations.

The organization shall:

1. determine the frequency that compliance will be evaluated;
2. evaluate compliance and take action if needed;
3. maintain knowledge and understanding of its compliance status.

The organization shall retain documented information as evidence of the compliance evaluation result(s).

9.1.2: “Evaluate fulfillment of” compliance obligations becomes “evaluate if it is meeting” them. The evidence requirement changes from retaining documented information to appropriate documented information being available. Other requirements are unchanged.

9.2 Internal audit

9.2.1 General

The organization shall conduct internal audits at planned intervals to provide information on whether the environmental management system:

1. conforms to:
   • the organization’s own requirements for its environmental management system;
   • the requirements of this document;
2. is effectively implemented and

1. 9.2 Internal audit

   9.2.1 General

   The organization shall conduct internal audits at planned intervals to provide information on whether the environmental management system:

1. conforms to:
   • the organization’s own requirements for its environmental management system;
   • the requirements of this International Standard;
2. is effectively implemented and

9.2.2 Internal audit programme

The organization shall establish, implement and maintain (an) internal audit programme(s), including the frequency, methods, responsibilities, planning requirements and reporting of its internal audits.

When establishing the internal audit programme(s), the organization shall consider the environmental importance of the processes concerned, changes affecting the organization and the results of previous audits.

The organization shall:

1. define the audit objective(s), audit criteria and scope for each audit;
2. select auditors and conduct audits to ensure objectivity and the impartiality of the audit process;
3. ensure that the results of audits are reported to relevant management. The following documented information shall be available:

• the audit programme(s);
• evidence of the implementation of the audit programme(s);
• evidence of the audit

9.2.2 Internal audit program

The organization shall establish, implement and maintain (an) internal audit program(s), including the frequency, methods, responsibilities, planning requirements and reporting of its internal audits.

When establishing the internal audit program, the organization shall take into consideration the environmental importance of the processes concerned, changes affecting the organization and the results of previous audits.

The organization shall:

1. define the audit criteria and scope for each audit;
2. select auditors and conduct audits to ensure objectivity and the impartiality of the audit process;
3. ensure that the results of the audits are reported to relevant management.

The organization shall retain documented information as evidence of the implementation of the audit program and the audit results.

9.2.2: “Programme” replaces “program.” The 2026 text adds audit objective(s) to the items defined for each audit.

“Take into consideration” becomes “consider.”

9.3 Management review

9.3.1 General

Top management shall review the organization’s environmental management system, at planned intervals, to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness.

9.3.2 Management review inputs

The management review inputs shall include:

1. the status of actions from previous management reviews;
2. changes in:
   • external and internal issues that are relevant to the environmental management system;
   • the needs and expectations of interested parties that are relevant to the environmental management system, including compliance obligations;
   • its significant environmental aspects;
   • risks and opportunities;
3. the extent to which environmental objectives have been achieved;
4. information on the organization’s environmental performance, including trends in:
   • nonconformities and corrective actions;
   • monitoring and measurement results;
   • meeting its compliance obligations;
   • audit results;
5. adequacy of resources;
6. relevant communication(s) from interested parties, including complaints;
7. opportunities for continual

9.3.3 Management Review Results

The results of the management review shall include:

1. conclusions on the continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of the environmental management system;
2. decisions related to continual improvement opportunities;
3. decisions related to any need for changes to the environmental management system, including resources;
4. actions, if needed, when environmental objectives have not been achieved;
5. opportunities to improve integration of the environmental management system with other business processes, if needed;
6. any implications for the strategic direction of the

Documented information shall be available as evidence of the results of management reviews.

9.3 Management review

Top management shall review the organization’s environmental management system, at planned intervals, to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness.

The management review shall include consideration of:

a) the status of actions from previous management reviews;
b) changes in:
      1) external and internal issues that are relevant to the environmental management system;
     2) the needs and expectations of interested parties, including compliance obligations;
    3) its significant environmental aspects;
    4) risks and opportunities;
c) the extent to which environmental objectives have been achieved;
d) information on the organization’s environmental performance, including trends in:
    1) nonconformities and corrective actions;
    2) monitoring and measurement results;
    3) fulfilment of its compliance obligations;
    4) audit results;
    e) adequacy of resources;
    f) relevant communication(s) from interested parties, including complaints;
    g) opportunities for continual improvement.

The outputs of the management review shall include:

• conclusions on the continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of the environmental management system;
• decisions related to continual improvement opportunities;
• decisions related to any need for changes to the environmental management system, including resources;
• actions, if needed, when environmental objectives have not been achieved;
• opportunities to improve integration of the environmental management system with other business processes, if needed;
• any implications for the strategic direction of the organization.

The organization shall retain documented information as evidence of the results of management reviews.

9.3.1–9.3.3: The 2015 management-review clause is divided into General, Inputs, and Results.

Removed consideration of…

Inputs now specify interested-party needs and expectations that are relevant to the environmental management system, and “fulfilment of compliance obligations” becomes “meeting compliance obligations.”