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Build customer confidence
Use clearer, more consistent processes to support reliable delivery, customer satisfaction and trust.
ISO 9001:2026 UPDATE
Prepare for the next evolution of ISO 9001
Understand what is changing, why it matters and how to prepare your quality management system with confidence.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
UNDER PUBLICATION
ISO
9001:2026
Quality management systems — Requirements
Set to replace ISO 9001:2015 on 16 September 2026
Edition 6The next edition of the world’s most widely used quality management standard.
1M+ISO 9001 certificates have been issued to organisations in 189 countries.
EvolutionThe familiar structure remains. This is an update, not a complete rebuild.
WHAT’S CHANGING — AND WHY?
A relevant standard for a changing business environment.
ISO standards are reviewed periodically to ensure they continue to reflect the needs of organisations, customers and other interested parties.
ISO 9001:2026 retains the intent and core structure of the 2015 edition, while placing clearer emphasis on leadership accountability, quality culture, ethical behaviour, risk, opportunity and the effective management of change.
An evolution, not a rewrite
Organisations should use the revision as an opportunity to review and strengthen their current QMS — not replace processes that already work.
WHY IT MATTERS TO YOUR ORGANISATION
Turn the revision into stronger business performance.
ISO 9001 is designed to help organisations consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements while improving their quality management system. The 2026 revision creates a timely opportunity to strengthen the way quality supports strategy, decisions and day-to-day performance.
02
Make better decisions
Connect risk, opportunity and performance information to more deliberate planning and improvement.
03
Strengthen leadership ownership
Make quality culture, ethical behaviour and continual improvement visible responsibilities of leadership.
04
Prepare without overreacting
Review what needs to change while keeping the effective foundations of your existing QMS in place.
A note on digital and AI
The revision does not turn AI into a stand-alone auditable requirement. Expanded guidance encourages organisations to consider how automation, analytics and AI may affect competence, process control and data integrity.
A BREAKDOWN OF THE CHANGES
The areas your organisation should understand.
The final draft signals several new or strengthened areas. Our free video briefing explains the practical meaning behind them without overwhelming viewers with clause-by-clause detail.
01
Quality culture and ethical behaviour
A stronger focus on how top management demonstrates, promotes and embeds the right behaviours across the organisation.
Leadership
02
Risks and opportunities
Clearer separation encourages organisations to manage risks deliberately while giving opportunities proper attention and resources.
Planning
03
Planning and evaluating change
Greater emphasis on communicating, monitoring, evaluating and reviewing changes that can affect the QMS.
Change control
04
Climate change in organisational context
The 2024 climate amendment is integrated into the standard, reinforcing the need to determine whether climate-related issues are relevant to the QMS.
Context
05
Organisational knowledge
Knowledge is connected more clearly to the intended results of the management system and the organisation’s ability to perform.
Capability
06
Updated terminology and guidance
Alignment with ISO 9000:2026 and expanded Annex A guidance aim to support clearer understanding and implementation.
Clarity
This overview reflects the Final Draft International Standard. The final published text remains the authoritative source.
WHAT DOES NOT CHANGE?
Build on the QMS you already have.
Process approach
Plan–Do–Check–Act
Customer focus
Risk-based thinking
Clauses 4–10
Quality management principles
The revision creates a valuable moment to reflect on the effectiveness of your system, while retaining the foundations that remain relevant.
FREE VIDEO COURSE
Three short videos to make the revision clear.
Presented by Paul Hardiman, the free introductory series helps quality professionals and leaders understand the change before moving into detailed implementation.
3 videosExpert-ledFree access
ACCESS THE FREE COURSE01
What’s changing, and why?
The purpose of the revision and what it means for organisations using ISO 9001:2015.
02
A breakdown of the changes
The key themes that deserve attention across leadership, planning and organisational context.
03
What are your next steps?
A proportionate route from awareness and gap analysis to implementation and audit.
Free access to all three videos from 16 September 2026
WHO SHOULD WATCH
A clear starting point for everyone responsible for quality.
Quality managers and QMS leads
Internal and supplier auditors
Top management and process owners
Consultants supporting ISO 9001 systems
The free three-part course is an introductory briefing. More detailed implementation training can follow once the final standard and transition requirements are confirmed.
YOUR NEXT STEPS
Prepare carefully — without unnecessary disruption.
1
Build awareness
Help leadership, quality teams and internal auditors understand the direction of the revision.
2
Review the final standard
When published, compare the updated requirements and Annex A guidance with your current QMS.
3
Plan proportionate updates
Prioritise changes that improve effectiveness instead of creating documentation for its own sake.
4
Verify and transition
Use internal audit to verify implementation and coordinate transition timing with your certification body.
Important transition note
ISO states that certified organisations must transition within the timeframe set by their certification cycle. Confirm the applicable timetable directly with your certification body.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should you know now?
Has ISO 9001:2026 been published?
As of 11 September 2026, ISO lists Edition 6 as under publication and set to replace ISO 9001:2015 on 16 September 2026.
Will we need to rebuild our QMS?
No. The revision retains the familiar foundations of ISO 9001:2015. Begin with a gap analysis and change only what is necessary or beneficial.
Is the introductory course free?
Yes. The introductory course will contain three videos. Part one is planned for public release, with parts two and three available after free registration.
Is this the complete transition training?
No. This introductory series builds awareness. A more detailed training series covering individual changes and auditing is planned separately.
ISO 9001:2026
Understand the change. Prepare with confidence.
Free three-part ISO 9001:2026 video course from Quality Partner.
