ISO 9001:2026 Revisions: Predicted Changes, Timeline and What to Expect

The upcoming revision is set to replace the 2015 edition and is being developed by ISO Technical Committee 176 (ISO/TC 176/SC 2, Working Group 29). The revision follows a 36-month development cycle and aims to keep the standard relevant in a business environment that has changed significantly since 2015. While the update is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, it introduces refinements around quality culture, ethical behaviour, and climate considerations.

ISO 9001 was last updated in September 2015, with Amendment 1 (ISO 9001:2015/Amd 1:2024) published in February 2024 to address climate action. The standard is typically reviewed every five to eight years. Previous revisions took place in 1994, 2000, 2008, and 2015.

Based on the Final Draft International Standard (FDIS), the key ISO 9001 changes for 2026 include:

• Climate change integration – The 2024 amendment requiring organisations to consider climate change as a relevant factor in their context (Clause 4.1) has been carried into the new edition. This confirms that climate considerations are now a permanent part of the QMS framework.
• Quality culture and ethical behaviour – The FDIS introduces requirements for top management to promote a quality culture and ethical behaviour, addressed through leadership, awareness and the environment for the operation of processes.
• Risk and opportunity restructuring – Risks and opportunities are more clearly separated, so that the actions taken to address each are considered distinctly.
• Strengthened management of change – Requirements for planning and controlling changes to the quality management system have been reinforced, to better ensure that changes support the QMS achieving its intended results.
• New guidance in Annex A – The informative Annex A has been expanded to clarify the structure, terminology and intent of the requirements, without adding any new obligations.

The revision is evolutionary, not a fundamental overhaul. The core requirements in Clauses 4 to 10 remain largely unchanged, meaning organisations already compliant with ISO 9001:2015 should face a minimal transition burden. The process approach, risk-based thinking, and the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle continue as foundational principles.

The 2026 edition also continues to use the harmonised structure (the common clause framework previously called the High Level Structure) that ISO 9001 has followed since 2015, so it stays aligned with other ISO management system standards. Notable topics not significantly expanded include AI, digital transformation, and detailed sustainability requirements beyond climate.

Compared with the 2015 revision, the 2026 update focuses on editorial improvements and clarifications rather than fundamental new requirements. For a detailed look at the current ISO 9001 requirements, visit our guide.

Organisations currently certified to ISO 9001:2015 should begin preparing now. Key actions include:

• Reviewing Clause 4.1 and 4.2 to ensure climate change considerations are addressed in your QMS
• Assessing leadership practices against the new quality culture and ethical behaviour requirements
• Planning a transition timeline, with milestones at 6, 12, 24, and 30 months from publication
• Booking updated training for auditors and quality professionals

The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) will confirm the official transition period after publication, though a three-year window is historically typical. A copy of the current standard, BS EN ISO 9001:2015+A1:2024, or the version with tracked changes, can help you benchmark your current system.

• Publication is expected between September and November 2026
• Changes are evolutionary, focusing on quality culture, climate, and editorial improvements
• Core requirements (Clauses 4-10) remain largely the same
• A three-year transition period is anticipated (to approximately 2029)
• Organisations already certified to ISO 9001:2015 should face a straightforward transition

Staying ahead of the upcoming revision starts with the right training. SEQM Training offers CQI and IRCA certified courses including the ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Course, ISO 9001 Internal Auditor Course, and ISO 9001 Foundation Course to prepare quality professionals for the transition.