When a standard is revised, how do you know what’s changed? And how do you answer the question that follows, “Do I need to change anything in my business?”

That’s where tracked changes (TCs) come in. TCs are a version of a standard that clearly shows what has changed compared to the previous edition.

Without a TC version of a standard, you would have to compare two long technical documents (the new one and the version it replaces) line by line.

However, with TCs, you can quickly spot:

• new requirements you must comply with;

• requirements that have been relaxed or removed;

• terminology changes that affect your procedures; and

• areas where your existing system is still fine.

A TC saves time, cost and compliance risk. And because it is produced by the same organization who created the standard, you can be sure it’s trustworthy.

What does a TC look like?

A tracked changes document typically highlights:

• where new text has been added - underlined or in a different colour;

• where text has been deleted – struck through;

• where the wording has been modified – old text struck through and new text underlined; and

• where clauses have been moved – marked as relocated or restructured.

What you should remember

First and foremost, the tracked changes standard doesn’t count as the “real” standard. ISO and BSI define the official standard as the new, clean edition. The tracked version is for secondary guidance only. Tracked versions are often labelled as “for information only” and not licensed as the primary implementation document.

Also, be aware that tracked documents sometimes simplify how changes are displayed. Complex structural changes, moved clauses or rewritten notes may not be legally precise.

In contrast, the official non-TC standard is the one that certification bodies audit against, contracts and tenders legally reference, and regulators and courts would recognise. Finally, it’s the one that accreditation bodies (like UKAS) expect you to use.

Buying a tracked changes standard

Not every minor amendment to a standard gets a tracked version, but major revisions usually do. For example, BS EN ISO 9001, BS EN ISO 14001, BS EN ISO 27001.

When purchasing the TC on BSI Knowledge, it always comes with a clean version of the revised standard attached. It’s not a standalone offering.

Of course, as a BSI member, you’ll get your regular 50% discount on that bundle, as you will if it’s part of a subscription.

Standards change for all kind of reasons to stay current and relevant. You’ll be sure of keeping track of those updates with TCs.

Discover more about BSI Membership

Become a BSI member and you’ll be joining over 11,000 organizations committed to making positive change through standards. You’ll get extra support in implementing standards via a team of research professionals and stay up to date with relevant changes to standards with a monthly spreadsheet. Your personalized Membership certificate and digital Membership badge will help your organization stand out from the competition too. And every member enjoys a 50% saving on British Standards and 50% off subscriptions to BSI Knowledge and BSI Compliance Navigator. Members also get 10% off ISO and other foreign standards. Find out more about BSI Membership here.