ISO regularly reviews its standards to ensure they remain up to date and adapts them to new legal requirements, changing circumstances and the needs of industry. A further aim is to improve compatibility between the standards.
ISO 9001:2015 has been in force for the last eleven years, so a comprehensive update was necessary.
ISO 9001:2026 has been published. The new edition of the world’s most important standard for quality management builds on the tried-and-tested principles of ISO 9001:2015 and develops them further in a targeted manner.
Unlike the 2015 revision, this update does not focus on fundamental structural changes. Process orientation, the PDCA cycle and risk-based thinking remain in place. Instead, the revision emphasises continuity and takes account of current developments in business and society.
Key new features include greater emphasis on quality culture, ethical behaviour, opportunity-oriented thinking, climate change and an expanded approach to change management. In addition, the wording of numerous requirements has been clarified and adapted to the current Harmonised Structure.
The publication of ISO 9001:2026 marks the start of a three-year transition period during which the changes can be implemented gradually.
ISO 9001:2026 follows the current Harmonised Structure (HS), which serves as a standardised framework for ISO management system standards. This simplifies integration with other management systems and further enhances compatibility between different standards.
In early 2024, the ISO required organisations to consider climate change within their management systems through directly applicable amendments (AMD 1:2024-02).
The new ISO 9001: 2026 revision explicitly incorporates climate change into the standard text. It is important that:
Until now, organisations have focused too heavily on risks when implementing measures to manage opportunities and risks. Opportunities have often been under-represented. The standard-setter has therefore separated the two and now addresses opportunities (Section 6.1.3) separately from risks (6.1.2).
In section 7.3 “Awareness”, a new requirement addresses the organisation’s quality culture and ethical behaviour. Top management must now promote both quality culture and ethical conduct (section 5.1.1). Organisations must also ensure that all individuals working under their control are aware of the quality culture.
Senior management is required to develop a quality policy that takes the organisation’s context into account. A new requirement is that this policy should also support the organisation’s strategic direction.
Informative Annex A, ‘Explanation of the structure, terminology and concepts’, has been thoroughly revised. It will now contain significantly more detailed explanations of all the main chapters of the standard.
Annex B (Other ISO/TC 176 International Standards on quality management and quality management systems) has been removed without replacement.
Important: The fundamental principles of ISO 9001 remain unchanged. Process orientation, the PDCA cycle and risk-based thinking continue to form the foundation of an effective quality management system. The revision focuses primarily on the targeted further development of existing requirements.
ISO 9001:2026 is current edition of the internationally recognised standard for quality management systems. It was published in September 2026 and replaced the previous ISO 9001:2015. The standard sets out requirements for an effective quality management system and can be applied across all sectors by organisations of any size.
ISO 9001:2026 builds on the tried-and-tested foundations of the previous version and has been specifically further developed. The most important changes include:
• greater emphasis on quality culture and ethical behaviour,
• separate treatment of opportunities and risks,
• the ongoing integration of climate-related aspects,
• a closer link between quality management and corporate strategy,
• comprehensively revised explanatory notes in the informative Annex A.
Since the publication of ISO 9001:2015, the operating environment for organisations has changed significantly. Digitalisation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, geopolitical uncertainties and new expectations regarding transparency and responsible conduct have made it necessary to further develop the standard.
ISO 9001:2026 addresses these developments whilst remaining true to the tried-and-tested fundamental principles of quality management.
For the time being, the revision has no direct impact on existing ISO 9001 certificates – these remain valid.
There is a three-year transition period from the date of publication, i.e. until 15 September 2029. During this period, organisations must transition to the new version of the standard.
No, from the date of publication of the new ISO 9001, there is a three-year transition period running until 15 September 2029.
During this period, organisations must adapt their quality management systems and undergo a certification audit.
The transition is usually carried out during the recertification audit, although it can also take place as part of a surveillance audit.
ISO 9001 is the most widely used international management system standard and is often described as the “mother of all standards”. In many sectors, certification is required for market participation.
Certified organisations will have to transition to the new standard sooner or later in order to continue holding a valid certificate. The publication of ISO 9001:2026 marks the beginning of the transition period to the new version of the standard, which ends on 15 September 2029. Certificates issued under ISO 9001:2015 will remain valid throughout this period.
Organisations can use the three-year transition period to review the requirements of ISO 9001:2026 and plan the transition as part of their regular certification activities. For example, they can use a gap analysis to identify where changes are needed.
Yes. ISO 9001 quality management systems integrate well with other systems, including:
TÜV SÜD is a trusted partner for ISO 9001 certification.
Expertise:
TÜV SÜD auditors are highly qualified and experienced across various industries.
Global presence:
Thanks to a worldwide network of experts, international sites can be certified by the same body.
Strong certification mark:
Demonstrate commitment to quality and integrity. TÜV SÜD stands for reliability, independence and neutrality.
Quality counts:
The globally recognised certification mark communicates your quality standards and helps you stand out from competitors.
Talk to our experts – Request our services for your ISO 9001 needs. TÜV SÜD's experts can support you in the whole process, from audits to certification.
The new version of ISO 9001 is here. Key areas of focus in the revision include a culture of quality, opportunity management, climate-related issues, and a stronger link between quality management and corporate strategy.
Organisations should pay particular attention to the new or expanded requirements. These include establishing a quality culture, managing opportunities, addressing climate-related issues, and integrating quality management more closely into the organisation’s strategic direction.
Site Selector
Global
Americas
Asia
Europe
Middle East and Africa
