ISO 9001:2026 What It Means for Your Business

The ISO 9001 Quality Management System standard, widely recognised as the global benchmark for quality assurance, is currently being revised and is expected to be published as ISO 9001:2026 in the second half of 2026, most likely around September–October 2026. This new edition will replace the current ISO 9001:2015 edition and will reflect evolving business needs, wider stakeholder expectations, and contemporary drivers such as digitalisation, resilience and sustainability.

Although the full text of the new standard is not yet public, a Draft International Standard (DIS) has been released, and early signals indicate the updated version will maintain the familiar high-level structure while introducing refinements and expanded emphasis in several areas

What Will Change in ISO 9001:2026?

While the core framework and principles of quality management remain intact, the new edition is anticipated to place stronger emphasis on several themes that reflect modern organisational challenges. These are:

Risk and Opportunity Management: Expect a clearer distinction between different types of risks and opportunities, and more explicit expectations around how risk should be addressed throughout planning and operational activities.

Digitalisation and Technology Integration: As digital tools, data analytics and automation become central to quality practices, ISO 9001:2026 is expected to acknowledge this trend more explicitly, encouraging organisations to incorporate digital capabilities within their QMS planning and performance evaluation.

Sustainability and External Context: Building on existing requirements for understanding organisational context, the revised edition is likely to integrate broader external considerations, such as environmental and societal impacts, into QMS planning.

Leadership and Organisational Culture: Greater emphasis may be placed on leadership’s role in shaping quality culture, ethical governance and accountability, reinforcing the connection between quality management and organisational behaviour.

These changes should be seen as evolutionary, not revolutionary, intended to ensure the standard remains relevant in a fast-changing world without undermining existing quality management fundamentals.

Why This Matters to Your QMS

For organisations already certified to ISO 9001:2015, the revision presents both a compliance requirement and an opportunity to strengthen your quality system:

Increased Relevance: By aligning your QMS with emerging business practices (e.g. digital transformation, resilience), you’ll improve not just compliance but operational effectiveness.

Better Risk-Based Thinking: A deeper focus on risk and opportunity turns quality management into a more strategic tool that supports business continuity and innovation.

Stakeholder Confidence: Demonstrating a quality system that reflects contemporary expectations — including sustainability considerations — can differentiate you in competitive markets.

Time frames you should know

• Ongoing Revision Process: ISO 9001 is in active revision, with the DIS already published in 2025.

• Expected Publication: The final ISO 9001:2026 edition is anticipated in late 2026 (around September–October).

• Transition Period: Certified organisations typically have up to three years from publication to transition fully.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 revision of ISO 9001 will reinforce quality management’s role in strategic decision-making and sustainable performance, aligning the standard with current business realities. Early preparation through risk reviews, leadership engagement, and system alignment will make the transition smoother and strengthen your QMS for future challenges.

Maintaining compliance is not just about meeting audit requirements; it’s about embedding quality into organisational culture and everyday practice.