ISO 9001 is being revised. The new version, ISO 9001:2026, is expected to be published in September 2026, replacing the current ISO 9001:2015 standard. A three-year transition period will follow, giving organisations until approximately September 2029 to update their certification.
This document explains what is changing, what the timeline looks like, and what steps to take now.
Current Status
The Draft International Standard (DIS) was published on 27 August 2025 and approved by ISO member bodies in December 2025. The Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) is expected in mid-2026, ahead of full publication in autumn 2026.
The revision is evolutionary – the core structure and requirements of ISO 9001:2015 remain largely intact. The changes are targeted refinements, not a fundamental rewrite.
Key Changes in ISO 9001:2026
Clause 4 — Context of the Organisation
Climate change considerations, introduced through an immediate amendment in February 2024, are now formally integrated into Clause 4.1. Organisations must assess whether climate change is a relevant factor in their operating context and, if so, reflect this in their QMS. This was already a requirement from 2024, the 2026 revision simply brings it into the main body of the standard.
Clause 5 — Leadership
Clause 5.1.1 introduces an explicit requirement for top management to promote a culture of quality and ethical behaviour. The draft notes that this can be demonstrated through shared values, attitudes, and observed behaviours across the organisation. The quality policy must also now explicitly reflect the organisation’s context and support its strategic direction.
This is a meaningful shift – quality culture becomes a formal leadership responsibility, not just an implied expectation.
Clause 6 — Planning
Clause 6 has been restructured into distinct sub-clauses to separate risk management from opportunity management. In the 2015 version, these were handled together, which caused implementation challenges for some organisations. The revision provides clearer guidance on addressing each separately.
Clause 7 — Support
Clause 7.3 adds a new awareness requirement: employees should understand the organisation’s quality culture and ethical behaviour expectations – not just the QMS itself. This has implications for how awareness training is designed and delivered.
Clause 10 — Improvement
Leadership expectations in driving continual improvement is made more explicit. Organisations will need to demonstrate how leadership actively influences improvement cycles, not just that corrective actions are being raised and closed.
Annex A — New Supplementary Guidance
For the first time, ISO 9001 includes an Annex A: a 15-page supplementary guidance section aligned with each clause. This is non-mandatory but provides practical implementation support, particularly useful for organisations building or refreshing their QMS.
What Is Not Changing
The core structure and high-level requirements of ISO 9001:2015 are retained. The revision does not introduce requirements around artificial intelligence, digital transformation, or broader ESG and sustainability provisions beyond the existing climate change amendment. Organisations already compliant with ISO 9001:2015 should not need to make major structural changes to their QMS.
Transition Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
| Climate change amendment (ISO 9001:2015/Amd 1:2024) | February 2024 — immediate effect |
| Draft International Standard (DIS) published | 27 August 2025 |
| DIS approved by ISO member bodies | December 2025 |
| Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) expected | Mid-2026 |
| ISO 9001:2026 publication | September/October 2026 |
| Earliest ISO 9001:2026 certificates issued | Approximately mid-2027 |
| ISO 9001:2015 certification deadline | September 2029 |
Steps to Take Now
If your organisation is already certified to ISO 9001:2015
Your current certification remains fully valid – no immediate action is required. Recommended steps to begin preparing:
- Conduct a gap analysis against the DIS, focusing on quality culture documentation and climate change context.
- Review how leadership currently demonstrates commitment to quality culture and ethical behaviour.
- Revisit Clause 6.1 documentation to check whether risks and opportunities are clearly distinguished.
- Confirm your quality policy reflects current organisational context and strategic direction.
- Begin planning awareness training updates to cover the new Clause 7.3 requirements.
If your organisation is not yet certified
Do not wait for the 2026 version to be published. ISO 9001:2015 is the current certifiable standard, and the transition to ISO 9001:2026 will be straightforward for any organisation with a well-implemented 2015-based QMS. Certifying now means accessing the competitive and operational benefits of certification sooner, while avoiding the transition rush closer to the 2029 deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my ISO 9001:2015 certificate need to be renewed now?
No. ISO 9001:2015 certifications remain fully valid until September 2029. You have ample time to plan your transition.
Will I need to rebuild my QMS for the new version?
For most organisations, no. The changes are targeted and build on your existing system. Expect to update specific documentation and internal awareness processes rather than redesign your QMS from scratch.
When will ISO 9001:2026 certificates first be available?
After publication, certification bodies will require time to become accredited against the new standard. The first ISO 9001:2026 certificates are unlikely to be issued before mid-2027.
Can I certify to ISO 9001:2026 directly, skipping 2015?
Once the new standard is published and certification bodies are accredited, yes – new applicants will certify directly to ISO 9001:2026.
How Sancert Can Help
Sancert is a -accredited certification body. We are actively tracking the ISO 9001:2026 revision and will update our audit processes ahead of publication.
If you have questions about what the changes mean for your existing certification, or you are considering ISO 9001 for the first time, we are happy to talk it through.