The revision of the quality management system standard ISO 9001 is advancing towards publication. The Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) has been released among ISO’s national member bodies for the final round of ballot and comments.
ISO 9001 is the internationally recognised standard for quality management systems, providing a structured framework for organisations to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements and to enhance customer satisfaction. Regular reviews are essential to ensure the continued relevance of international standards.
ISO 9001 is a cornerstone for quality assurance across industries. This revision is therefore important and followed closely by many stakeholders. It is key that the standard is regularly updated to ensure it remains relevant in today’s increasingly complex and dynamic business environment,
Tor Gunnar Tollefsen
Global Service Manager for Management Systems
DNV
“It is also essential that revisions build on practical experience and input from users. This helps ensure that the standard continues to support organisations in improving performance and delivering value in a structured and reliable way,” he adds.
Moderate changes in the revised standard
Overall, the extent of the changes is considered moderate and significantly less extensive than the 2015 revision. Organisations already certified to ISO 9001:2015 are therefore not expected to face major implementation challenges.
Key changes in ISO 9001:2026
Among the main changes in ISO 90001:2026 are:
A strengthened emphasis on leadership responsibility, including the promotion of quality culture and ethical behaviour
A clearer separation of risk and opportunity management, with separate clauses and enhanced guidance
Reinforced requirements related to management of changes to the quality management system to support achievement of intended results
Integration of the climate change amendments from 2024
Targeted updates and clarifications across clauses 4 to 10, including additional notes to support interpretation
In addition, Annex A is substantially enhanced and improved to assist users in understanding the requirements of the standard. Publication of the updated final version of the standard is expected around September 2026.
Transition timeline
When the revised standard gets published, all organisations certified to ISO 9001:2015 will be required to transition to the new version within a defined timeline. Based on a draft document from Global ACI, the international accreditation authority, the transition timeline is expected to be three years.
Early preparation recommended
Although the expected changes are moderate, organisations are encouraged to start preparing early to ensure a smooth transition. This includes familiarising themselves with the updated requirements, assessing potential gaps and ensuring that relevant personnel are informed.
DNV supports organisations throughout the transition to ISO 9001:2026 through webinars, training and transition audits, helping them align their management systems with the revised standard.
