ISO 9001:2026 - What You Need to Know

ISO 9001

July 21, 2025

Updated 7 October 2026

ISO 9001:2026 was published on 16 September 2026. If your organisation is certified to ISO 9001:2015, the next step is to review the changes, understand what they mean for your quality management system and agree a transition plan with your certification body.

For organisations seeking certification for the first time, discuss the appropriate edition and assessment timetable with your chosen certification body before committing to an audit.

What has changed in ISO 9001:2026?

The new edition builds on the existing quality management framework. ISO describes targeted updates to improve clarity and usability, with greater emphasis on leadership, quality culture and ethical behaviour, and clearer consideration of risks and opportunities.

UKAS also identifies changes relating to interested parties, planning changes and management review. The practical task is to compare the published requirements with your existing processes and evidence, then address the gaps that matter to your organisation.

When do certified organisations need to transition?

Under the UKAS transition timetable, certification bodies must transition all their certified customers to ISO 9001:2026 by 30 September 2029. This is separate from the earlier timetable for certification bodies to update their own accreditation.

Your certification body will explain how transition fits with your audit programme. Check its accreditation status for the new edition: certification to ISO 9001:2026 cannot be represented as UKAS-accredited before UKAS has approved that body's transition.

How to prepare your quality management system

1. Review your starting point. Bring together your existing processes, responsibilities, documents, audit findings and management-review records.
2. Identify the relevant gaps. Compare your current arrangements with the published ISO 9001:2026 requirements.
3. Agree a practical action plan. Set priorities, responsibilities and realistic timescales around your operations and certification programme.
4. Put changes into practice. Update the affected processes and documents, brief your team and gather evidence that the changes are working.
5. Review readiness. Use internal audits and management review to check progress and resolve outstanding actions before your independent assessment.

How Critical Path can help

Critical Path provides flexible ISO 9001 consultancy tailored to your organisation. Support can include a gap analysis, a prioritised transition plan, document and process updates, internal auditing and preparation for independent certification.

We agree the scope and delivery approach around your existing system, activities and priorities. Your chosen independent certification body carries out the certification audit and makes the certification decision.

Schedule a Consultation to discuss your existing quality management system and the support you need for transition.

Official sources

• ISO 9001:2026: current edition and publication details
• ISO announcement of the new edition
• UKAS ISO 9001:2026 transition bulletin