ISO 9001 is one of the most widely recognised management standards in the world, helping organisations demonstrate their commitment to quality, consistency and continual improvement.
After more than a decade under ISO 9001:2015, a new edition is almost here. ISO 9001:2026 is scheduled for publication on 16 September 2026, bringing the standard up to date with the needs and challenges facing modern organisations.
The new edition builds on the existing ISO 9001 framework rather than completely replacing the approach businesses are already familiar with.
Changes include clearer wording and requirements, a stronger focus on leadership, quality culture and accountability, greater clarity around managing risks and opportunities, and closer alignment with other ISO management system standards.
A new Annex A will also provide additional clarification around terminology and the intent behind certain requirements.
For organisations already working successfully with ISO 9001:2015, this should therefore be viewed as an opportunity to review and strengthen an existing Quality Management System rather than starting again.
If your organisation is currently certified to ISO 9001:2015, there is no need to panic or make rushed changes. Certified organisations will be given a transition period in which to move across to the new edition.
However, now is a good time to start the conversation. Reviewing your existing Quality Management System, considering areas that could be improved and ensuring leadership and employees remain actively involved can all help make the transition smoother.
If you are considering ISO 9001 certification for the first time, the arrival of the new standard also presents an excellent opportunity to build your Quality Management System around the latest requirements.
At IS Certification Service, we understand that changes to ISO standards can generate questions and uncertainty. Whether you are already certified to ISO 9001:2015, preparing for certification or simply want to understand what ISO 9001:2026 could mean for your organisation, our team is here to help.
Please get in touch with IS Certification Service to discuss your requirements. We can help you understand the certification process, prepare for the changes ahead and ensure your organisation is ready for the next generation of ISO 9001.
7 October 2026
Why not speak to a qualified auditor about your ISO Certification requirements, or visit our ISO Certification FAQ’s page
Your choices will be saved as a non-identifying cookie. This means that each time you load a webpage from this website, your chosen accessibility options will be applied. These cookies will last for 28 days before resetting.
Use these icons to increase, decrease or reset the size of the text throughout the site.
When text to speech is active, you can click the play button to hear the whole sites content read aloud. You can also highlight a section of text and press play, to hear only the highlighted text.
A screen mask is a reading tool which follows your cursor. It allows you to remove distractions from around the page and gives a clear area of focus.