Assent

06/11/2026

Build UK has published Version 6 of the Common Assessment Standard (CAS), introducing important changes to how construction companies demonstrate their competence, building safety arrangements, information security and organisational governance.

Effective from 1 November 2026, the revised standard reflects developments in legislation, industry guidance and client expectations. For contractors and suppliers, the changes could mean reviewing existing policies, management systems and supporting evidence before their next assessment.

Read the full blog here: https://www.assentriskmanagement.co.uk/common-assessment-standard-version-6-what-has-changed-and-what-does-it-mean-for-construction-companies/

04/11/2026

🎙️ISO 9001:2026 – Understanding the Changes & Preparing for Transition (Part 1)🎙️

The ISO 9001:2026 update is here, but what has actually changed and what does it mean for your organisation?

In the latest episode of Exploring Standards, we're sharing part one of our recent webinar with Kathy Clements from Assent Management and Vladimir Tabakovic from SGS.

Together, they break down the key changes to the standard, including updates to leadership, quality culture, risk and opportunity management, and what organisations can do to prepare for the transition.

🎧 Listen to part one now: https://exploringstandards.podbean.com/e/iso-90012026-%e2%80%93-understanding-the-changes-and-preparing-for-transition-part-1/

03/11/2026

In September 2026 the latest edition of the international quality management standard, ISO 9001 was published.

While the updates were generally minor, one new concept is threaded throughout the standard: Quality Culture and Ethical Behaviour.

While you might consider this a ‘given’ for organisations implementing a quality management system, one key concern from certified clients is how do we prove quality culture in an audit?

Here are some ideas.

Read the full blog here: https://www.assentriskmanagement.co.uk/ethical-behaviour/

02/11/2026

October's Legal Briefing is now available.

This month's briefing covers recent UK legal and regulatory updates relevant to Quality, Environmental, Information Security and Health & Safety.

It includes updates to employment legislation, sanctions and payroll regulations, alongside other changes organisations may need to consider.

Read the October 2026 Legal Briefing:
https://www.assentriskmanagement.co.uk/october-2026-legal-briefing/

This blog provides a brief overview of March's Legal Updates, which are relevant to Quality, Environmental, Info Sec and Health & Safety to help your organisation stay aligned with the latest legal requirements.

30/10/2026

🎃 If you could bury one workplace habit in the graveyard this Halloween, what would it be?

Outdated procedures? Last-minute audit preparation? Documents saved in seventeen different places?

What's the one thing you'd happily never see again?

Write yours in the comments. 👇

27/10/2026

IATF 16949:2016 is approaching 10-years old but it remains the current version of the Automotive Quality Management System (as of September 2026).

However, over the years, the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) has issued numerous Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs) and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that clarify, modify and expand upon the requirements of IATF 16949. These updates can introduce new expectations that organisations may not realise apply to them until an auditor raises a nonconformity.

At Assent Risk Management, we regularly conduct gap analyses and internal audits for organisations across the automotive supply chain. One recurring theme is that businesses often have well-established quality management systems but remain exposed to audit findings where they have not paid attention to these sanctioned interpretations.

Read the full blog here: https://www.assentriskmanagement.co.uk/iatf-16949-compliance/

26/10/2026

What’s changed in ISO 20252:2026? And what does it mean for your organisation?

With the new version of the market research standard published in September, there’s plenty to understand.

Join us this Thursday as we bring together three perspectives on the update.

Robert Clements from Assent Risk Management, Juliana Wood from CIRQ and Marie Hense from Toluna will discuss the key changes, what they mean for certified organisations, and how to prepare for the new requirements.

Whether you're already certified or considering certification, this is an opportunity to understand what’s changed and what to do next.

📅 Thursday 29 October
🕐 1pm GMT / 9am ET

🔗 Register here: https://j88dq6.s.gy/oqD8X7

22/10/2026

This summer, 2026, we’ve seen many disastrous wildfires around the world, including in the UK and Europe where we have not previously been familiar with managing such events.

The heat may have also caused other resource intensive incidents including several train derailments and increased health emergencies.

Although these are civil emergencies, there is a lot we can learn from ISO 22301, the standard for business continuity management.

Read full blog here: https://www.assentriskmanagement.co.uk/emergency-response/

21/10/2026

🎙️ The EU AI Act Explained: Risk Categories, Compliance, & ISO 42001 🎙️

The latest episode of Exploring Standards is now live!

Jess is joined by Dan Sampson for his second appearance on the podcast to explore the EU AI Act and what it means for organisations developing and using AI.

In this episode, they discuss:
▪️ The four AI risk categories and what they mean in practice
▪️ What the legislation means for organisations
▪️ How ISO 42001 can support AI governance and compliance
▪️ Practical steps to help businesses prepare
▪️ Common misconceptions about the EU AI Act

With AI governance becoming an increasingly important topic, this episode breaks down the legislation and explores how organisations can take a more structured approach to managing AI.

🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
https://exploringstandards.podbean.com/e/the-eu-ai-act-explained-risk-categories-compliance-iso-42001/

20/10/2026

The EU AI Act is changing how organisations use and manage AI. Are you prepared?

Coming this Wednesday on Exploring Standards, Jess speaks to Dan Sampson about the EU AI Act, what it means for businesses and how ISO 42001 can help.

In this episode, they cover:

▪️ The four AI risk categories and what they mean in practice
▪️ What the Act means for organisations developing and using AI
▪️ How ISO 42001 can support AI governance and compliance
▪️ Practical steps to help your organisation prepare
▪️ Common misconceptions about the legislation

Full episode coming this Wednesday.