The publication of ISO 9001:2026 is expected on 16 September 2026, following completion of the Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) ballot, the final approval stage of the revision process that commenced in 2023.

For organisations certified to ISO 9001:2015, publication of the revised standard will mark the start of the formal transition period. Whilst certification to ISO 9001:2015 will remain valid during the transition, organisations should begin evaluating the changes and planning their transition strategy.

Key Changes Expected in ISO 9001:2026

The revision builds upon the established principles of the current standard, retaining the process approach, the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and risk-based thinking. Key updates are expected to include:

Greater emphasis on quality culture and ethical behaviour across the organisation.
Clearer distinction between risks and opportunities, with dedicated requirements for each.
Strengthened change management requirements covering planning, communication, implementation and review.
Introduction of selected core quality management terminology and definitions within the standard.
Expanded Annex A guidance to provide additional clarity on requirements, terminology and intent without introducing new obligations.

ISO 9001 remains the world’s most widely adopted quality management system standard, and the 2026 revision seeks to ensure its continued relevance in an increasingly complex and changing business environment. Organisations that begin planning early will be best placed to achieve a smooth and effective transition.

Atlas Certification is actively monitoring the development of ISO 9001:2026 and will be providing transition guidance, training and support to certified clients as further information becomes available.

Source: iso.org