Everything you need to get ready for ISO 9001:2026

The main International quality standard for Quality Management Systems (QMSs), ISO ISO 9001, is undergoing a scheduled update to ensure it remains relevant to modern challenges and technological advances in a dynamic business market. The latest revision will introduce ISO 9001:2026, driven by increasing digitization, the wider adoption of remote work, and a greater emphasis on ethics and sustainability practices.

These external factors have transformed the way organizations operate and manage quality. The changes in ISO 9001:2026 aim to integrate this contemporary landscape into the standard’s framework, ensuring it remains a practical and valuable solution for companies worldwide.

The last major update occurred in 2015, when a significant shift toward risk-based thinking and a new high-level structure was introduced. Since then, the global environment has changed decisively, creating the need for a new iteration of ISO.

One of the main changes in the 2026 version is the introduction of enhanced requirements for leadership, aimed at promoting a quality culture and ethical behaviour. In addition, the update introduces a clearer separation between risk management and opportunity management, and formally integrates climate change considerations into the organization’s context analysis.

With these updates, companies that adopt the standard will receive clearer guidance that reflects current best practices on quality. Continue reading to discover everything you need to know to make sure your organization is ready for the arrival of ISO 9001:2026.

Why is ISO 9001 being updated?

ISO 9001 is undergoing a scheduled revision to ensure it remains relevant, reflecting contemporary challenges and best practices in quality management. The update seeks to refine the framework established in the 2015 version, integrating new concepts that have become central to modern, resilient organizations.

The global business environment has transformed over the last decade, thanks to more complex supply chains, rapid digitization, and a greater emphasis on sustainable operations. The standard now needs to evolve to address these new realities, offering a robust framework for creating QMSs that can succeed in today’s dynamic conditions.

Key focus areas for the 2026 revision include:

• Leadership and organizational culture. Improved requirements for top management to promote quality culture and ethical behaviour across the organization.
• Risk, resilience and opportunities. Clarification and separation of risk and opportunity management, encouraging a more proactive approach to organizational resilience.
• Digital transformation and data. Recognition of the impact of digital tools and Industry 4.0 technologies (such as IoT and AI) on data integrity and on modern Quality Management Systems.
• Sustainability and climate change. Integration of climate change considerations and closer alignment of quality management with broader environmental and social responsibility objectives.
• Human factor and the work environment. The revision highlights human capital, with renewed focus on the importance of a psychologically safe work environment and employee well-being as key foundations for quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Ultimately, the ISO 9001:2026 revision is not merely a compliance update but a strategic enhancement, positioning the standard as a vital tool to build more adaptable, responsible and competitive organizations.

By addressing these modern themes, the update prepares the standard for the future and helps organizations align their quality objectives with broader strategic goals.

Read more: What is the importance of ISO 9001 and what is it for

What is the timeline for the ISO 9001:2026 update?

The ISO 9001:2026 revision process follows a structured international procedure, with publication of the Draft International Standard (DIS) marking a significant milestone toward the final version. The DIS stage initiates a vital period for public consultation, allowing stakeholders worldwide to review and propose changes.

After the DIS vote and the resolution of comments, the process progresses to the Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) stage. The FDIS is generally the near-final version before publication, providing organizations with an almost-complete preview of the new requirements.

At the end of this process, the definitive version of ISO 9001:2026 is published, concluding a three-year timeline that includes multiple drafts. This marks the end of a long development cycle but the start of another: the transition period.

Certified organizations will have three years after the final publication of the standard to comply with the updated requirements. During this period, both ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 9001:2026 certifications will be valid.

Accreditation bodies will need an initial period of nine to twelve months for their own training and certification. This means the first official audits under ISO 9001:2026 are only expected to take place in the third quarter of 2027.

All organizations must complete their transition and be audited against the new standard by the final deadline, expected in September 2029.

• Working draft (Dec 2023 – Feb 2024): the initial draft of the standard is developed and circulated within the technical committee for preliminary comments and groundwork.
• Second committee draft processed (Jan – Jun 2025): the second committee draft is finalized, incorporating feedback from earlier versions and approaching its final structure.
• Draft International Standard (Aug – Oct 2025): the Draft International Standard (DIS) was published on August 27, 2025, starting a crucial period during which ISO members submit comments and vote on the provisions included in the text.
• Final Draft International Standard (Apr – Jun 2026): this phase presents an almost-final version of the standard for formal approval, already incorporating DIS feedback. At this point, the text is more stable and undergoes only editorial changes.
• Official publication (Sep 2026): the final version of ISO 9001:2026 is officially published and released to the public.
• Start of the transition period (Sep 2026): a three-year transition period begins immediately after publication, allowing organizations to plan their migration.
• Accreditation and training period (Sep 2026 – Aug 2027): accreditation bodies undergo training and certification. Few certificates are expected to be issued during this initial nine-to-twelve-month period.
• Final transition deadline (Sep 2029): all organizations must complete their transition by three years after the final publication. ISO 9001:2015 certificates will become invalid after this date.

What are the main expected changes in ISO 9001:2026?

The 2026 edition of ISO 9001 aims to introduce several updates to refine the current standard without promoting a complete overhaul. These changes are intended to align the standard with modern business practices and clarify requirements already present in ISO 9001:2015.

The table below outlines some of the most significant changes in this update:

Change area	Main update	Clause reference
Context and environment	Integration of climate change as a factor in the organizational context	Clause 4.1
Leadership and culture	Explicit duty to promote quality culture and ethical behaviour	Clause 5.1.1
Quality policy	Must consider the organizational context and strategic direction	Clause 5.2
Risk and opportunity management	Clearer separation into distinct subclauses with expanded guidance	Clauses 6.1.1 – 6.1.3
Employee awareness	New requirement to understand quality culture and ethical behaviour	Clause 7.3
Guidance material	Implementation phase importance significantly expanded	Annex A

1. Integration of climate change

An amendment addressing climate change has been formally introduced into clause 4.1, requiring organizations to consider global warming as a factor in their internal and external context analyses. This integration seeks to ensure that environmental considerations become an integral part of the Quality Management System — not just an attachment.

2. Leadership and commitment

Clause 5.1.1 now explicitly requires top management to promote and demonstrate a quality culture and ethical behaviour within the organization. This new amendment includes guidance for leadership to demonstrate these principles effectively in practice.

3. Risk and opportunity management

The standard offers a clearer separation between risk management and opportunity management by reorganizing clause 6.1 into distinct subclauses (6.1.1 to 6.1.3). This new structure is supported by significantly expanded guidance in Annex A, providing organizations with a more detailed framework when addressing both concepts.

4. Expansion of awareness requirements

Clause 7.3 has been expanded with a new awareness requirement that mandates employees understand the implications of quality culture and ethical behaviour. This change reinforces the greater responsibilities of leadership and ensures organizational values are understood at all levels.

5. Alignment of the quality policy

The quality policy must now take the organizational context into account and explicitly support the organization’s strategic direction. This update strengthens the crucial link between the QMS and overall business strategy, encouraging managers to treat the policy as more than just a document.

6. Expanded guidance in Annex A

Annex A has been significantly revised to provide better and more detailed guidance aligned with clauses 4 to 10 of the standard. This offers much clearer support for ISO 9001 implementation, especially regarding updated requirements on risk, opportunities and organizational context.

Continue reading: What is quality management and what are its 8 principles

How to prepare for the transition to ISO 9001:2026?

Your organization will have three years to transition from ISO 9001:2015 to the 2026 version, but we encourage you to start preparing now. That way, you will have sufficient time to understand the new requirements, integrate them into your current processes and train your employees.

Take the opportunity to avoid last-minute surprises by investing in careful planning that will open the door to improvements in your QMS.

1. Conduct a gap analysis. Carry out an analysis of all clauses of your current QMS compared to the new edition of the standard to identify new, changed or unmet requirements. This analysis will serve as the foundation for your transition project and will help prioritise necessary actions.

2. Address climate change considerations. Review and update processes to understand your organization’s context (clause 4.1) and stakeholders’ needs (clause 4.2) to determine whether climate change is a relevant factor for your QMS. Integrate identified risks or opportunities into the planning and controls of your Quality Management System.

3. Review and update documentation. Start by reviewing your QMS documentation — including policies, procedures and records — to reflect the terminology and requirements updated in the 2026 version. Pay special attention to the quality policy, risk and opportunity management, and awareness procedures to ensure they align with the new standard.

4. Develop and deliver a training plan. Create a training program to ensure leadership, internal auditors and all relevant employees are aware of the changes and understand their role in the updated system. Focus on new concepts such as promoting a quality culture, ethical behaviour and the clear separation between risks and opportunities.

5. Prepare a transition project. Produce a detailed plan with a realistic timeline, allocating necessary resources and assigning responsibilities for transition activities. This plan should map the most important steps for your organization’s recertification, which must be completed before the three-year deadline after the final ISO 9001:2026 publication.

Quality Week: a chance to prepare for the future

While we prepare for the changes brought by ISO 9001:2026, World Quality Weeks stand out as a unique annual opportunity to anticipate and cultivate the mindsets the new standards will require.

Each edition, with its specific theme, is always closely aligned with the principles of continual improvement that underpin revisions like that of 2026.

• Alignment: ISO 9001:2026 will require the Quality Policy to be intrinsically aligned with the organization’s strategic direction and context. Quality Week often asks: “Is your approach to quality aligned with your organization’s strategy?”
• Performance: the separation between risk and opportunity in the new standard demands a more proactive, data-driven approach. Participating in Quality Week is an opportunity to strengthen a culture of data analysis and performance.
• People: ISO 9001:2026 will emphasize top management’s duty to promote a quality culture and employees’ awareness. Engaging the team in event activities helps prepare the ground for the new training and awareness requirements in clause 7.3.

Conclusion

The transition to ISO 9001:2026 represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen the Quality Management System and align it with 21st-century demands. Although iterative, the changes reflect a market transformed by digitization, sustainability and emphasis on organizational culture.

The three-year transition window should not be interpreted as a distant deadline. Proactive preparation is crucial and includes gap analysis and an understanding of new requirements related to climate change, leadership and risk management. Immediate documentation review and training activities will ensure a smooth and effective migration.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about ISO 9001:2026