ISO 9001 Standard Revision Nears 2026

The revised version of ISO 9001 publication is planned for September 2026. Source (all images) | Getty Images 

With the upcoming revision of the ISO 9001 standard, there’s increased interest in the anticipated changes along with business preparations.

ISO 9001 is the world’s leading quality management system (QMS) standard. Organizations use the standard to demonstrate their ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements, and to demonstrate continuous improvement.

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The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) reviews standards every five to 10 years to stay current with our rapidly changing world. The last revision in 2015 suggested a 6th edition would be released between 2021 and 2023, but global pandemics and supply chain disruptions caused a deferment.

Keeping ISO standards current and relevant for the marketplace is vital and it was agreed that revising the standard would add value to the evolving needs of its users and the communities they serve. The upcoming revision aims to address modern challenges such as digitalization, emerging technologies (for example, AI), sustainability and enhanced risk management. Organizations certified to ISO 9001:2015 will likely get a transition period — typically three years — post-2026 to comply with the new requirements.

The revised version of ISO 9001 publication is planned for September 2026.

History of ISO 9001 Revisions

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) revises the ISO 9001 standard every 6-8 years. The first revision came in 1994, followed by a major overhaul in 2000. Another revision occurred in 2008, but with only minor changes. The latest update, ISO 9001:2015, was released in September 2015.

• ISO 9001:1987 — The first edition of the ISO 9001 standard was derived from a military quality standard and focused on manufacturing
• ISO 9001:1994 — The first revision added the concept of preventive action rather than just checking conformance of the final product
• ISO 9001:2000 — Combined ISO 9001, ISO 9002 and ISO 9003 into a single, universally applicable standard that allowed for exclusions of requirements that don’t apply to the organization
• ISO 9001:2008 — Introduced some new wording and clarifications, but no new requirements
• ISO 9001:2015 — The latest version of the standard introduced the new high-level structure (Annex SL) and featured several new and modified requirements, most notably the concept of risk-based thinking
• ISO published ISO 9001:2015/AMD1:2024 in February 2024, which amends Section 4 to include climate action considerations

A new ISO 9001 revision is expected in 2026; it’s just the next evolution of the standard.

Anticipated Changes

The upcoming revision of ISO 9001 aims to address several key areas to ensure the standard remains relevant in today’s rapidly changing business environment. The predicted changes include:

• Enhanced risk management: Improvements in how organizations
  

  Stronger focus on stakeholder engagement to meet evolving needs and expectations is predicted change.

  identify, assess and manage risks
• Stakeholder: Greater emphasis on engaging with stakeholders to meet their needs and expectations
• Ethics and integrity: Within leadership practices, recognizing their initial role in quality management
• Digital innovation: Integration of digital technologies and practices to streamline processes, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI)
• Sustainability: To address environmental and social responsibilities, adopt greener processes, reduce waste and ensure ethical practices throughout the supply chain.

The new revision is designed to keep the standard relevant and effective in the face of modern challenges. By proactively adapting to these changes, organizations can not only maintain compliance but also enhance their overall quality management capabilities, leading to better performance and competitive advantage.

These changes are designed to make ISO 9001 more flexible and easier to implement across diverse organizations.

How to Prepare for the New Version of ISO 9001

The release of the revised standard presents a valuable opportunity to implement, review and update your QMS. Ensure your system incorporates the necessary changes and aligns with the needs of your organization, customers and stakeholders. Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement within your organization by staying informed and maintaining a robust QMS based on the most current version.

Changes include streamlining processes through digital integration and AI-driven technologies.

Conduct a gap analysis to identify areas that require improvement in light of the anticipated changes. Revise your QMS documentation accordingly and carry out internal audits to assess your preparedness for the new version. Ensure that staff at all levels are informed about the upcoming changes and understand their roles in implementing them. Additionally, communicate with your stakeholders regarding how you plan to address these changes. Finally, consider applying technology that can enhance your quality system.

Organizations can still get certified to ISO 9001:2015, and this step will make it easier to transition to the 2026 version once it becomes available. While it’s unknown when a new version of ISO 9001 will be released, there is usually a transition period of around three years. During this time, organizations can update their QMS to meet the new requirements.