ISO 9001:2026 Revision will come on September 2026.
The 2026 ISO 9001 Revision: What to Expect and How to Prepare
The ISO 9001 standard, a cornerstone of quality management systems worldwide, is gearing up for its next major revision, which is anticipated to be released in 2026. As businesses adapt to an increasingly complex and competitive environment, the new revision will aim to ensure the standard remains relevant and effective. While we don’t yet know the exact details of the changes, there are several key areas likely to be addressed, all designed to improve how organizations manage quality in today’s fast-evolving landscape.
This blog will explore what’s likely to come in the 2026 revision, the potential benefits it will bring, and the steps organizations can take now to prepare for a smooth transition.
Key Changes Expected in the 2026 ISO 9001 Revision
Although the final version of the revised ISO 9001 standard won’t be available until 2026, experts anticipate the following areas to be key focal points:
- Improved Risk Management: Building on the risk-based thinking introduced in 2015, the new update will likely provide more detailed guidelines on how to formalize risk management processes. This will help businesses identify, assess, and mitigate risks more effectively, aligning quality management with organizational resilience.
- Better Integration of Digital Tools: In today’s digital age, organizations are increasingly reliant on automation, data analytics, and other digital technologies. The new revision is expected to encourage businesses to embrace digital tools to enhance quality management processes, making operations more efficient and data-driven.
- Enhanced Focus on Sustainability: As environmental concerns take center stage, the new ISO 9001 update will likely place greater emphasis on sustainability, encouraging businesses to incorporate environmental considerations into their quality objectives. This could mean better alignment with ISO 14001 (environmental management) and other sustainability frameworks.
- More Effective Supply Chain Management: Global supply chain disruptions have highlighted the need for more robust, resilient supply chain processes. The updated standard is expected to include stronger guidance on managing supply chains, ensuring that quality is maintained even in the face of external challenges.
- Stronger Employee Engagement: A growing body of research highlights the critical role that employees play in maintaining and improving quality. The new revision may include more specific requirements related to employee engagement, training, and well-being, fostering a people-centred approach to quality management.
Transition Timeline: 3 Years to Implement the Changes
Once the 2026 revision of ISO 9001 is published, organisations will have a 3-year window to transition to the new standard. This allows businesses ample time to understand the new requirements, assess their current systems, and make the necessary adjustments to achieve compliance. However, waiting too long could put organisations at a disadvantage, as those that implement changes early will be better positioned to stay ahead of the competition and demonstrate their commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
The Benefits of the 2026 ISO 9001 Revision
While the upcoming changes are designed to make ISO 9001 more relevant to modern business challenges, they also offer tangible benefits to organizations that implement them:
- Better risk management will lead to more resilient operations, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and mitigate potential disruptions.
- Digital integration will improve efficiency, streamline processes, and ensure organisations are equipped for the future.
- Sustainability initiatives will allow businesses to align with growing environmental expectations from customers and regulators, helping build a more eco-conscious brand.
- Improved supply chain management will reduce the risk of quality failures, even in complex or global supply chains.
- Greater employee engagement will foster a culture of quality and innovation, driving continuous improvement from within the organization.
The Cost of Compliance: What to Expect
As beneficial as these changes will be for organizations in the long term, there will be costs associated with transitioning to the new revision. This is particularly true for businesses that rely heavily on external consultants to maintain their ISO 9001 certification. Consultants will charge additional fees to guide businesses through the transition, which could be a significant expense for companies that depend on this kind of support. The transition process will involve reviewing and overhauling existing quality management systems, updating documentation, and training employees on the new requirements—all of which can add up in terms of cost and time.
Preparing for the Future
While the exact details of the 2026 ISO 9001 revision are still under wraps, it’s clear that businesses will need to act quickly once the updates are released. Staying informed and planning ahead will be critical for ensuring a smooth transition. Organizations that start preparing now—by assessing their current systems, evaluating potential areas of improvement, and considering how to integrate digital tools and sustainability—will be best positioned to adapt to the new standard.
As the release date approaches, it will be fascinating to see how the final version of the ISO 9001 revision takes shape and what new opportunities it will offer for businesses seeking to enhance their quality management systems.
If you’d like more information on how Alliance can help your organization prepare for and transition to the 2026 ISO 9001 revision, contact with ariscert@gmail.com.
• Expected outcomes for accredited certification to ISO 9001( New)
ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, the world’s leading quality management standard, has recently been revised.
Why was ISO 9001 revised? All ISO standards are reviewed every five years to establish if a revision is required to keep it current and relevant for the marketplace. TISO 9001:2015 is designed to respond to the latest trends and be compatible with other management systems such as ISO 14001. The timeline is below. Learn more about the process of standard development.
What are the main changes to the standard? The new version follows a new, higher level structure to make it easier to use in conjunction with other management system standards, with increased importance given to risk. More information about the changes can be found in the news area. I am certified to ISO 9001:2008. What does this mean for me? Organizations are granted a three-year transition period after the revision has been published to migrate their quality management system to the new edition of the standard.
ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems
ISO 14001 Environmental management systems, one of ISO’s most widely used standards, has recently been revised.
Why was ISO 14001 revised? All ISO 14001:2015 standards are reviewed every five years to establish if a revision is required in order to keep it current and relevant for the marketplace. ISO is designed to respond to latest trends and ensure it is compatible with other management system standards. The timeline is below. Learn more about the process of standard development. What are the main changes to the standard? The key changes relate to:
- Increased prominence of environmental management within the organization’s strategic planning processes
- Greater focus on leadership
- Addition of proactive initiatives to protect the environment from harm and degradation, such as sustainable resource use and climate change mitigation
- Improving environmental performance added
- Life cycle thinking when considering environmental aspects
- Addition of a communications strategy
In addition, the revised standard follows a common structure, with the same terms and definitions as a number of other management system standards such as ISO 9001. This makes them easier, cheaper and quicker for those companies who use more than one, not to mention helping out the auditors. Who was responsible for the revision? The revision was conducted by an ISO technical committee called ISO/TC 207/SC 1, which is comprised of experts nominated by their National Standards Bodies and liaison organizations. See the ISO/TC 207/SC 1 homepage for more details. I am certified to ISO 14001:2004. What does this mean for me? Organizations are granted a three-year transition period after the revision has been published to migrate their environmental management system to the new edition of the standard. After this transition period, companies that opt for third party certification will have to seek certification to the new version of the standard. The former version, ISO 14001:2004, and any certification to it, will be out of date. See further guidance from the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). Do I have to be certified to the new standard? No, certification is not compulsory. For further information about certification and other types of third party assessment, this see our page on conformity assessment.
ISO 45001:2018 – OHS Management System Standard has been replaced with OHSAS 18001:2007
Over 7600 people die each day from work-related accidents or diseases – that’s over 2.78 million every year*.
The burden of occupational injuries and diseases is significant, both for employers and the wider economy, resulting in losses from early retirements, staff absence and rising insurance premiums.
To combat the problem, ISO has developed a new standard, ISO 45001, Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements, that will help organizations reduce this burden by providing a framework to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks and create better, safer working conditions, all over the world.
The standard was developed by a committee of occupational health and safety experts, and follows other generic management system approaches such as ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. It will take into account other International Standards in this area such as OHSAS 18001, the International Labour Organization’s ILO-OSH Guidelines, various national standards and the ILO’s international labour standards and conventions.
NOTE:
- All certificates against BS OHSAS 18001 expired on March 12, 2021 at the latest. Certified clients will need to transition to the ISO 45001:2018 as soon as possible.