ISO 9001
September 25, 2025
Organisations are gearing up for the ISO 9001:2026 revision, the first major update to the Quality Management System (QMS) standard since June 2015. The new ISO 9001:2026 is expected to be published by September 2026, with ISO 9001:2015 remaining valid for a standard three-year transition period, until around September 2029. This means organisations will have plenty of time to upgrade, and your current ISO 9001:2015 certification will stay valid through 2029. This blog post breaks down the key changes between ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 9001:2026, covering important dates and how to prepare. We will also explain how Critical Path International can support Quality Managers in smoothly transitioning to the new standard, whether as a guiding hand alongside your team, or as an outsourced ISO resource to lighten the workload. Why ISO 9001 Is Being Revised ISO 9001 is periodically reviewed to keep it relevant in a changing world. The last full revision was back in 2015, and by 2023 it became clear an update was needed. In August 2023, after extensive international consultation, ISO’s technical committee agreed that revising the standard would “enhance its value” and address evolving needs (ISO.org). Since 2015, the business landscape has shifted significantly, with factors such as: In order to remain valuable and effective, ISO 9001:2026 aims to address these trends. The ISO has indicated the revision will include adjustments related to the following: resilience, supply chain management, change management, sustainability, risk management, and organisational knowledge. Timeline of the ISO 9001:2026 Revision 2023: ISO approves the revision of ISO 9001:2015 2024: Amendment adds climate change to clause 4.1. 2025: Draft Internationak Standard (DIS) released 27th August 2026: Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) expected 2027: ISO 9001:2026 officially published This timeline means there is no immediate rush to transition, but it’s wise to stay informed and start planning for gradual changes. The three-year transition period provides plenty of breathing room to update documentation, train staff on new requirements, and address any gaps. Next, let’s look at what changes are actually coming with ISO 9001:2026. Key Changes from ISO 9001:2015 to ISO 9001:2026 The revision will refine and clarify the 2015 requirements rather than introduce sweeping new ones. Many core concepts (process approach, plan-do-check-act and risk-based thinking) will remain intact. However, there are several targeted updates and new emphases to be aware of. Below we highlight the most significant changes expected in ISO 9001:2026, compared to ISO 9001:2015. Leadership and Quality Culture Top management will be expected to show how they promote a culture of quality and integrity. Leaders must set clear values, encourage ethical behaviour, and lead by example. This goes further than 2015 by making culture and ethics an explicit duty. Risk and Opportunity Risks and opportunities will be treated separately for clarity. Clause 6.1 will have new sub-clauses to ensure organisations identify and manage risks and opportunities independently. This strengthens the focus on proactive risk management without demanding a formal risk framework. Climate and Context Clause 4.1 will now require organisations to consider climate change and sustainability when reviewing their external context. This could mean looking at resource availability, environmental conditions, or carbon reduction commitments. Stakeholder expectations (Clause 4.2) may also expand to cover wider societal needs. Interested Parties There will be greater emphasis on engaging with stakeholders such as customers, suppliers, employees, and regulators. Organisations may be expected to seek feedback and show how they address the needs of these groups within the QMS. Sustainability and Responsibility ISO 9001:2026 will link quality management more closely to sustainability and corporate responsibility. It will encourage objectives such as reducing waste or improving efficiency, recognising that quality performance supports broader ESG goals. Resilience and Change Management The new edition will highlight business continuity and managing change. Organisations should plan for disruptions, build resilience into their systems, and ensure their QMS can maintain quality even during crises. Digitalisation and Knowledge The standard will acknowledge digital tools and knowledge management. Organisations should ensure data integrity, manage digital documents effectively, and retain critical knowledge as staff or systems change. Annex A and Alignment The 10-clause structure will stay the same, but terminology will be updated to align with other ISO standards. Annex A will be expanded to give clearer explanations and practical guidance, making the standard easier to apply. Despite these updates, it’s important to highlight that most of the core ISO 9001:2015 requirements remain intact. The process approach, documentation needs, internal audit, management review, corrective actions – all those familiar elements will still be there. So, if you have a robust ISO 9001:2015 QMS, you already have the foundation for ISO 9001:2026. Preparing for ISO 9001:2026 The prospect of a new ISO 9001 standard can sound daunting and time consuming. But the good news is that this revision is more about fine-tuning rather than a complete overhaul. Here’s how Critical Path recommend navigating the transition: Step 1: Plan Firstly, recognise that your ISO 9001:2015 certificate remains valid until late 2029. There is no sudden drop-dead date in 2026; you will have about three years to transition. Certification bodies will likely start offering ISO 9001:2026 audits in 2027, so use 2026 and 2027 as planning and preparation years. Keep an eye out for when your certification body announces it is ready to audit against ISO 9001:2026, and schedule your transition audit at a sensible time, perhaps you could align it with a re-certification cycle. Step 2: Assess the Gaps Once the final standard is published (or even when the FDIS is available), perform a gap analysis against your current QMS. Identify what new or changed requirements apply to your organisation. You may only find a few small gaps, e.g. needing to document how leadership promotes quality culture, or updating your context analysis to mention climate factors. One advantage of the expanded Annex A guidance is that it can help interpret any new clauses during your gap analysis. Step 3: Continual Improvement If you’ve been maintaining your ISO 9001:2015 system with regular improvements, you are likely already well prepared for ISO 9001:2026. By continuing regular internal audits and management reviews with these updates in mind, you’ll have clear evidence of conformity when it comes time to transition. Step 4: Staff Training Ensure that your teams (especially quality managers/internal auditors) are aware that the revision is coming and what the high-level changes are. You don’t need to retrain everyone on a whole “new standard” since much is the same but do highlight the new focus areas. For example, conduct a briefing on what “quality culture” means for day-to-day operations, or update risk management training to reflect clearer separation of risk vs. opportunity. Step 5: Engage with Experts At Critical Path, we offer complete flexibility to suit your organisation’s needs. You may prefer a tailored document pack to manage the ISO 9001:2026 transition internally, or a fully dedicated support package where we carry out the majority of the work on your behalf. The level of involvement is entirely your choice. To help keep costs down, we provide a mix of remote and on-site support, giving you access to expert guidance without the expense of a full-time resource. If you’re considering how best to begin or resource the transition, our team is here to help. We’d be pleased to discuss your requirements and outline a support plan that works for you. We’re committed to staying ahead of industry developments. Keep an eye on our website and social media for ongoing updates as ISO 9001:2026 progresses. For official announcements, visit ISO.org.
