ISO 9001:2026 - What You Need to Know

ISO 9001

July 21, 2025

If your organisation is ISO 9001 certified or you’re planning to become certified, you’ve likely heard about ISO 9001:2026 – the upcoming revision of the world’s most recognised quality management standard.

ISO 9001:2026 is scheduled for official publication in September 2026, following a public consultation on the Draft International Standard (DIS) expected in mid-2025. Organisations will have around three years, until approximately September 2029, to transition from ISO 9001:2015.

Key Updates in ISO 9001:2026

While the details continue to evolve, key anticipated updates include the following:

1. Enhanced risk management: A stronger and clearer framework for identifying, assessing, and managing both risks and opportunities throughout your organisation.
2. Digitalisation and technology: Updated guidelines reflecting the growing roles of automation, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics within quality management processes.
3. Sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance): Specific integration of sustainability, ethical responsibilities, and social accountability into your Quality Management System.
4. Leadership, ethics, and culture: Increased emphasis on leadership commitment, governance, ethical practices, and a clear culture of continuous improvement.
5. Integration and alignment: Closer alignment and consistency with other key ISO standards, including ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 27001 (Information Security Management).

Key Benefits of ISO 9001:2015 and How They Could Evolve in 2026

ISO 9001:2015 brought numerous benefits to organisations worldwide, including:

1. Improved Customer Satisfaction
2. Better Risk Management
3. Increased Operational Efficiency
4. Enhanced Reputation
5. Continuous Improvement

With ISO 9001:2026, these benefits are set to be enhanced further:

Stronger Risk Management

Enhanced frameworks for deeper risk analysis and more proactive risk mitigation.

Advanced Digital Capabilities

Incorporating new technologies such as AI, IoT, and automation to further streamline and optimise operations.

Greater Sustainability and Ethical Focus

Stronger integration of ESG principles to improve long-term resilience and stakeholder trust.

Leadership and Cultural Alignment

Reinforced leadership roles and a deeper embedding of quality culture across the entire organisation.

How Critical Path Keeps You Ahead

If you’re feeling uncertain about the upcoming transition to ISO 9001:2026, don't worry—Critical Path consultants are here to simplify your journey.

We strongly recommend beginning your preparation by booking an internal gap analysis of your current ISO 9001 Quality Management System. Typically, just one day onsite with one of our experts is enough to give you clarity and a structured plan for the transition ahead.

Conducting a gap analysis helps you by:

1. Clearly identifying the specific areas of your QMS that need attention before transitioning to ISO 9001:2026.
2. Saving valuable time and resources by pinpointing precisely where you need to take action.
3. Providing confidence and reassurance to stakeholders that your organisation is proactively prepared.
4. Ensuring a smooth, stress-free transition, giving you a head start against competitors.

Get in touch with our friendly consultants today to schedule your gap analysis – this first step will pinpoint exactly where your QMS needs to evolve and prepare for ISO 9001:2026. And don’t forget to visit ISO.org regularly for official updates and the latest information on ISO standards.