ISO 9001:2026: What’s Changing and How to Prepare for the Transition
Шестая редакция ISO 9001 должна быть опубликована 16 сентября 2026 года и заменить ISO 9001:2015. В специальном проекте Audit Advisor разбираем ключевые изменения, новые акценты стандарта, будущий переход сертифицированных организаций и действия, которые компании могут предпринять уже сейчас.
ISO 9001:2026: What’s Changing and How to Prepare for the Transition
The sixth edition of ISO 9001 is scheduled for publication on September 16, 2026 and will replace ISO 9001:2015.
In this continuously updated Audit Advisor guide, we track the revision, explain the key changes, and look at what the transition will mean for organizations already certified to ISO 9001:2015.
✔ Last updated: September 5, 2026
✔ Author: Alexander Chumachenko, management systems expert and practicing auditor
In this continuously updated Audit Advisor guide, we track the revision, explain the key changes, and look at what the transition will mean for organizations already certified to ISO 9001:2015.
✔ Last updated: September 5, 2026
✔ Author: Alexander Chumachenko, management systems expert and practicing auditor
ISO 9001:2026 Status
ISO/FDIS 9001 has successfully passed the final approval vote. ISO/TC 176/SC 2 has announced that publication of the sixth edition is scheduled for September 16, 2026.
Until the new edition is actually published, ISO 9001:2015 remains the current international edition.
ISO has also confirmed that organizations already certified to ISO 9001:2015 will be given a transition period. The detailed transition requirements for accreditation bodies, certification bodies and certified organizations are being handled separately from publication of the standard itself.
Global Accreditation Cooperation currently lists a future Transition Requirements for ISO 9001 document, but final ISO 9001-specific transition rules have not yet been published.
Until the new edition is actually published, ISO 9001:2015 remains the current international edition.
ISO has also confirmed that organizations already certified to ISO 9001:2015 will be given a transition period. The detailed transition requirements for accreditation bodies, certification bodies and certified organizations are being handled separately from publication of the standard itself.
Global Accreditation Cooperation currently lists a future Transition Requirements for ISO 9001 document, but final ISO 9001-specific transition rules have not yet been published.
ISO 9001 Is Changing
for the First Time Since 2015
ISO 9001 is the world’s most widely used quality management system standard. The current edition, ISO 9001:2015, was published in 2015. Eleven years later, the standard is moving to its sixth edition.
The revision does not abandon the familiar QMS model. The process approach, PDCA cycle, customer focus, risk-based thinking, performance evaluation and continual improvement remain central to ISO 9001.
The changes are primarily intended to clarify requirements and strengthen several areas of quality management that have become increasingly important over the past decade.
ISO highlights clearer requirements, stronger emphasis on leadership and quality culture, greater clarity around risks and opportunities, a new Annex A with additional explanations, and closer alignment with other ISO management system standards.
ISO 9001:2026 is an evolution of ISO 9001:2015 — not a requirement to rebuild your quality management system from scratch.
The revision does not abandon the familiar QMS model. The process approach, PDCA cycle, customer focus, risk-based thinking, performance evaluation and continual improvement remain central to ISO 9001.
The changes are primarily intended to clarify requirements and strengthen several areas of quality management that have become increasingly important over the past decade.
ISO highlights clearer requirements, stronger emphasis on leadership and quality culture, greater clarity around risks and opportunities, a new Annex A with additional explanations, and closer alignment with other ISO management system standards.
ISO 9001:2026 is an evolution of ISO 9001:2015 — not a requirement to rebuild your quality management system from scratch.
What Will Change in ISO 9001:2026?
Quality culture becomes more visible within the QMS
One of the most noticeable themes in the revision is quality culture. The focus is not only on policies, procedures and assigned responsibilities, but also on whether quality principles are reflected in the actual behaviour of leaders and employees.
Stronger connection between leadership and quality culture
Top management is expected not only to support the QMS formally, but also to create an environment in which quality becomes part of everyday management and decision-making.
Risks and opportunities are addressed more clearly
Risk-based thinking remains a core element of ISO 9001, but the revised edition makes the distinction between risks and opportunities more visible.
Greater attention to opportunities
A QMS should not only prevent problems. Organizations should also identify favourable circumstances that may improve their ability to achieve intended results and plan actions to make use of those opportunities.
Quality culture and ethical behaviour receive more attention
Quality culture is not the responsibility of the quality department alone. Employees need to understand how their work contributes to QMS effectiveness and organizational objectives.
Climate change is integrated into the revised standard
Climate change is not a completely new ISO 9001:2026 requirement. Climate-related provisions were already introduced through ISO 9001:2015/Amd 1:2024. The revised edition incorporates the topic into the updated standard.
Annex A provides more explanation
The revised Annex A is intended to provide greater clarity around the intent of certain requirements and reduce overly formal or inconsistent interpretation.
ISO 9001:2015 vs ISO 9001:2026:
Key Differences
This is not a clause-by-clause comparison of every requirement. The comparison is preliminary and is based on official ISO information and the DIS/FDIS development stages. Once ISO 9001:2026 is published, we will check the table against the final text and update it.
Quality Culture — One of the Key Themes in ISO 9001:2026
A formal quality management system may contain policies, objectives, procedures, instructions, indicators and records — and still work much less effectively in practice than it appears on paper.
The reason is simple: actual quality depends not only on documented rules, but also on everyday decisions.
Does an employee report a mistake or try to hide it? Does a manager stop a process when there is a risk of releasing nonconforming product? Are customer complaints treated as useful information for improvement or simply as unwanted statistics?
This is the practical meaning of quality culture: quality expectations should be reflected in the real behaviour of the organization.
The reason is simple: actual quality depends not only on documented rules, but also on everyday decisions.
Does an employee report a mistake or try to hide it? Does a manager stop a process when there is a risk of releasing nonconforming product? Are customer complaints treated as useful information for improvement or simply as unwanted statistics?
This is the practical meaning of quality culture: quality expectations should be reflected in the real behaviour of the organization.
Values
What the organization genuinely considers important.
Leadership
The decisions leaders make and the example they set.
Behaviour
How people act when mistakes, problems and uncertainty arise.
Systems and Processes
Whether procedures, incentives, training and communication support the desired behaviour.
Measurement
Whether the organization can see if its quality culture works in practice rather than only in statements.
Important:
Quality culture cannot be implemented simply by creating one additional QMS document.
Ethical Behaviour in ISO 9001:2026
Ethical behaviour becomes a more visible theme in the revised edition of ISO 9001 and is closely connected with leadership and quality culture.
This is not simply about introducing a formal code of ethics.
For a QMS, the practical issue is how the organization makes decisions, responds to mistakes, encourages openness when problems are identified, and avoids creating incentives for employees to conceal nonconformities.
Organizations may therefore need to review their existing behavioural principles, internal communication, mechanisms for reporting problems and the example demonstrated by leadership.
This is not simply about introducing a formal code of ethics.
For a QMS, the practical issue is how the organization makes decisions, responds to mistakes, encourages openness when problems are identified, and avoids creating incentives for employees to conceal nonconformities.
Organizations may therefore need to review their existing behavioural principles, internal communication, mechanisms for reporting problems and the example demonstrated by leadership.
What Is Changing in the Approach to Risks and Opportunities?
Risk-based thinking was introduced into ISO 9001 in the 2015 edition and remains one of the foundations of the QMS.
The revised edition does not remove this approach. Instead, it makes the treatment of uncertainty clearer, particularly by distinguishing two management tasks:
The revised edition does not remove this approach. Instead, it makes the treatment of uncertainty clearer, particularly by distinguishing two management tasks:
For many organizations, this may be a good reason to review existing risk registers. If “opportunities” are included only formally, the revision creates an opportunity to turn them into real management actions.
Climate Change and ISO 9001:2026
Climate change should not be presented as a completely new requirement introduced by ISO 9001:2026.
In February 2024, ISO published ISO 9001:2015/Amd 1:2024, which added climate-related considerations to the existing edition.
Therefore, transition preparation should not begin with “implementing climate change from scratch.” Organizations should first check whether they have already determined whether climate change is relevant to their organizational context and to the requirements of relevant interested parties.
Это особенно важно оставить именно так, потому что климатическая поправка действительно была опубликована в 2024 году.
In February 2024, ISO published ISO 9001:2015/Amd 1:2024, which added climate-related considerations to the existing edition.
Therefore, transition preparation should not begin with “implementing climate change from scratch.” Organizations should first check whether they have already determined whether climate change is relevant to their organizational context and to the requirements of relevant interested parties.
Это особенно важно оставить именно так, потому что климатическая поправка действительно была опубликована в 2024 году.
Will We Need to Rebuild the Entire QMS?
No. Publication of a new edition of ISO 9001 does not make an existing quality management system obsolete.
For organizations already working to ISO 9001:2015, the most sensible starting point is a Gap Analysis.
The organization should determine:
A good transition is not about rewriting every QMS document. It is about changing the system precisely where the new edition requires a different approach.
For organizations already working to ISO 9001:2015, the most sensible starting point is a Gap Analysis.
The organization should determine:
- which requirements have genuinely changed;
- which new or revised expectations are already being met;
- where real gaps exist;
- which processes need to change;
- which documented information actually needs updating;
- what employee training may be required;
- what changes should be incorporated into internal audit and management review.
A good transition is not about rewriting every QMS document. It is about changing the system precisely where the new edition requires a different approach.
How to Prepare for ISO 9001:2026
Before the Standard Is Published
Do not rebuild the QMS around a draft
Do not change mandatory procedures simply because a particular wording appeared in the DIS or FDIS.
Understand the main areas of change
Quality culture, ethical behaviour, risks and opportunities, organizational context and employee awareness already deserve attention.
Assess the maturity of your quality culture
Consider whether employees understand quality objectives, report problems, participate in improvement and receive useful feedback from managers.
Review how your organization handles opportunities
If your risk register contains only threats and negative risks, examine whether opportunities are being identified and acted upon systematically.
Check the 2024 climate amendment
Your organization should already have considered whether climate change is relevant to its QMS context.
Wait for the final edition before completing the Gap Analysis
Once ISO 9001:2026 is published, compare the final requirements with your existing QMS and create a specific transition plan.
How Will the Transition to ISO 9001:2026 Work?
ISO confirms that organizations certified to ISO 9001:2015 will receive a transition period.
This means that existing ISO 9001:2015 certificates should not automatically become invalid on the day the new edition is published.
The detailed international transition requirements for accreditation bodies, certification bodies and certified organizations are established separately.
Global Accreditation Cooperation has already identified a dedicated Transition Requirements for ISO 9001 document within its transition programme. However, until the final requirements are officially published, Audit Advisor will not present an assumed transition duration as a confirmed deadline.
We will update this section when the following are officially confirmed:
This means that existing ISO 9001:2015 certificates should not automatically become invalid on the day the new edition is published.
The detailed international transition requirements for accreditation bodies, certification bodies and certified organizations are established separately.
Global Accreditation Cooperation has already identified a dedicated Transition Requirements for ISO 9001 document within its transition programme. However, until the final requirements are officially published, Audit Advisor will not present an assumed transition duration as a confirmed deadline.
We will update this section when the following are officially confirmed:
- duration of the transition period;
- final transition deadline;
- deadline for audits against ISO 9001:2015;
- transition audit arrangements;
- any additional audit-time requirements;
- deadlines for certification bodies;
- rules for replacing or reissuing certificates.
Will ISO 9001:2015 Certificates Become Invalid When ISO 9001:2026 Is Published?
No. Publication of ISO 9001:2026 does not mean that every ISO 9001:2015 certificate immediately becomes invalid.
Certified organizations will have time to update their QMS and complete the transition in accordance with the official transition rules.
Exact deadlines and arrangements will be added to this page once the relevant international transition documents are published.
Certified organizations will have time to update their QMS and complete the transition in accordance with the official transition rules.
Exact deadlines and arrangements will be added to this page once the relevant international transition documents are published.
What ISO 9001:2026 Means for Organizations in the United States and United Kingdom
ISO 9001 is an international standard, so its core requirements are the same regardless of whether an organization operates in the United States, the United Kingdom or another market.
What can differ is the accreditation and certification infrastructure used to deliver accredited certification.
What can differ is the accreditation and certification infrastructure used to deliver accredited certification.
United States
In the United States, many organizations use certification bodies accredited by ANAB or another internationally recognized accreditation body.
ANAB has already informed accredited management system certification bodies that its ISO 9001:2026 transition process will be based on the international transition requirements established through Global Accreditation Cooperation.
Organizations should therefore check not only whether a certification body currently offers ISO 9001 certification, but also whether its accreditation and transition status covers the edition against which the audit will be performed.
United Kingdom
In the United States, many organizations use certification bodies accredited by ANAB or another internationally recognized accreditation body.
ANAB has already informed accredited management system certification bodies that its ISO 9001:2026 transition process will be based on the international transition requirements established through Global Accreditation Cooperation.
Organizations should therefore check not only whether a certification body currently offers ISO 9001 certification, but also whether its accreditation and transition status covers the edition against which the audit will be performed.
The publication date of ISO 9001:2026 and the date when a particular certification body can issue accredited ISO 9001:2026 certificates may not be the same.
When Will Organizations Be Able to Get Certified to ISO 9001:2026?
Publication of the standard and availability of accredited certification to the new edition do not necessarily happen on the same day.
After ISO 9001:2026 is published, accreditation bodies and certification bodies will need to complete the applicable transition activities and demonstrate their readiness to work with the revised edition.
Before selecting a certification body, organizations should therefore check:
After ISO 9001:2026 is published, accreditation bodies and certification bodies will need to complete the applicable transition activities and demonstrate their readiness to work with the revised edition.
Before selecting a certification body, organizations should therefore check:
- current accreditation status;
- accredited scope;
- whether the body has completed the required transition;
- whether it can issue accredited certification to the required edition.
Explore ISO 9001:2026 in More Detail
What Changed in ISO 9001:2026
Clause-by-clause comparison of ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 9001:2026.
Quality Culture in ISO 9001:2026
What quality culture means, how to develop it and what evidence auditors may examine.
Risks and Opportunities in ISO 9001:2026
How Clause 6.1 is changing and why opportunities receive greater attention.
Transition from ISO 9001:2015 to ISO 9001:2026
Deadlines, certificates, transition audits and practical steps.
ISO 9001:2026 Gap Analysis
A practical plan for reviewing an existing QMS before transition.
What Will Auditors Look For in ISO 9001:2026?
New audit focus areas and practical evidence.
ISO 9001:2026 in the U.S. and UK
Accreditation, certification and market-specific transition updates.
Free ISO 9001:2026 Transition Checklist
Check how prepared your current QMS is for the revised edition.
The checklist will include:
The checklist will include:
- ISO 9001:2026 requirements;
- key differences from ISO 9001:2015;
- what to check within your organization;
- possible evidence of conformity;
- status: Yes / Partially / No / Not Applicable.
Who Prepares These Materials?
Audit Advisor Knowledge Base materials are prepared by Alexander Chumachenko, a management systems expert, practicing auditor and founder of the project.
He has worked in management system certification since 2013, has completed more than 100 audits to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and other standards, and has written more than 100 expert articles on management systems and certification.
The materials are based on standard texts, official publications, accreditation information and practical experience working with organizations.
The objective is to explain requirements in clear, practical business language and connect them with real processes, common mistakes and audit preparation.
About the Author He has worked in management system certification since 2013, has completed more than 100 audits to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and other standards, and has written more than 100 expert articles on management systems and certification.
The materials are based on standard texts, official publications, accreditation information and practical experience working with organizations.
The objective is to explain requirements in clear, practical business language and connect them with real processes, common mistakes and audit preparation.
About Audit Advisor
Audit Advisor is an independent service that helps organizations find and compare certification bodies for management system certification.
Audit Advisor is not a certification body, does not conduct certification audits and does not issue ISO certificates.
Certification is performed by the certification body selected by the customer.
For English-speaking users, Audit Advisor provides market-specific certification information and services for organizations in the United States and United Kingdom.
Learn More About Audit Advisor Audit Advisor is not a certification body, does not conduct certification audits and does not issue ISO certificates.
Certification is performed by the certification body selected by the customer.
For English-speaking users, Audit Advisor provides market-specific certification information and services for organizations in the United States and United Kingdom.
Tracking ISO 9001:2026
This page is a continuously updated Audit Advisor resource dedicated to the new edition of ISO 9001.
We will update it as official information becomes available on:
We will update it as official information becomes available on:
- publication of ISO 9001:2026;
- the final set of changes;
- international transition requirements;
- transition deadlines for certified organizations;
- accreditation and certification body transitions;
- U.S. and UK implementation arrangements;
- early audit experience under the revised edition.
Frequently Asked Questions About ISO 9001:2026
ISO/TC 176/SC 2 has announced that publication of the sixth edition is scheduled for September 16, 2026.
Not yet. At the time of the latest update, the standard is at Stage 60.00 — International Standard under publication.
Yes. The sixth edition is intended to replace ISO 9001:2015.
No. ISO confirms that certified organizations will receive a transition period.
The final deadline should be taken from the official transition requirements. We will update this page when those requirements are published.
No. The transition should begin with a Gap Analysis and targeted changes to the areas genuinely affected by the revised edition.
Such a document may be useful, but quality culture cannot be demonstrated by a policy alone. Actual behaviour, leadership, communication, training and organizational practice are more important.
It is one of the most visible themes of the revision. ISO specifically highlights stronger emphasis on leadership, quality culture and accountability.
No. Climate-related provisions were already added to ISO 9001:2015 through the 2024 amendment.
Yes. Organizations can review quality culture, risks and opportunities, employee awareness and implementation of the 2024 climate amendment. The final Gap Analysis should be completed against the published ISO 9001:2026 text.
The ISO requirements are international, but accreditation and certification arrangements are implemented through the relevant accreditation and certification infrastructure in each market.
About the Status of This Information
Before the official publication of ISO 9001:2026, some descriptions of the changes on this page are based on official ISO information and available DIS/FDIS-stage materials.
The wording of draft documents may differ from the final published standard.
Once ISO 9001:2026 is published, this guide will be reviewed against the final text and updated.
Audit Advisor does not reproduce the ISO 9001:2026 standard and this page is not a substitute for an official copy of the standard.
The wording of draft documents may differ from the final published standard.
Once ISO 9001:2026 is published, this guide will be reviewed against the final text and updated.
Audit Advisor does not reproduce the ISO 9001:2026 standard and this page is not a substitute for an official copy of the standard.
Official Sources for ISO 9001:2026
- ISO — ISO 9001, Edition 6 - Current publication status of the international standard. ISO 9001 Edition 6
- ISO/TC 176/SC 2 — ISO 9001 Revision Update - Official announcement of FDIS approval and the scheduled publication date. ISO 9001 revision update
- ISO 9001:2015/Amd 1:2024 - Official climate action amendment. ISO climate amendment
- Global Accreditation Cooperation - International transition and accreditation documents. Global ACI resolutions
- ANAB — Management Systems Transition Information - U.S. accreditation context and transition information.
- UKAS — ISO 9001 Certification / CertCheck - UK accreditation and certificate verification information.
Planning ISO 9001 Certification?
ISO 9001:2015 remains the current published edition.
If your organization needs certification now for a customer, supplier qualification, tender or internal business requirement, the upcoming revision does not automatically mean that you should postpone certification.
Audit Advisor can help you compare certification bodies serving your market.
If your organization needs certification now for a customer, supplier qualification, tender or internal business requirement, the upcoming revision does not automatically mean that you should postpone certification.
Audit Advisor can help you compare certification bodies serving your market.
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