Article
ISO 9001:2026: What Changed and What to Update
ISO 9001:2026 is published. See the changes UKAS and Global ACI highlight, the transition dates, and which QMS documents and processes to review.
Last reviewed September 30, 2026
ISO 9001:2026 was published on September 16, 2026. It is the sixth edition of the standard and replaces ISO 9001:2015 and its 2024 climate change amendment (ISO; Global ACI).
If you hold ISO 9001 because customers or tenders require it, the first question is how much work it will be. The short answer from the bodies that run the transition is that the changes are limited, but not zero, and the effect differs by organization. This guide covers what changed, the transition timeline, and a practical list of what to review in your quality management system (QMS).
The status of ISO 9001:2026 at a glance
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Publication | September 16, 2026 (sixth edition) | UKAS; ANSI; ISO |
| Replaces | ISO 9001:2015 including Amd 1:2024 | Global ACI transition requirements (PDF) |
| Responsible committee | ISO/TC 176/SC 2 | ISO |
| Transition period | Three years, ending September 30, 2029 | Global ACI |
| New certifications | From March 31, 2028, new and initial accredited certifications may only be issued to ISO 9001:2026 | Global ACI |
ISO's page lists ISO 9001:2026 as published (Edition 6, 2026); the publication date of September 16, 2026 is from UKAS and ANSI.
Global ACI describes the overall changes as "minimal" and expects organizations to find them "largely intuitive, practicable" and, depending on the organization's context and objectives, attainable "with reasonable effort". It adds that each organization must work out the impact on its own management system (Global ACI transition requirements, section 3.2). UKAS says the revision "introduces targeted updates rather than fundamental change" (UKAS technical bulletin).
The changes UKAS and Global ACI highlight
The points below are as reported by Global ACI in its transition document, and by UKAS, ANSI and certification bodies. We have not checked the clause points against a copy of the standard, so check your own licensed copy. This is our summary, not ISO text.
1. Quality culture and ethical behavior (clauses 5.1.1, 7.3)
Top management must now promote quality culture and ethical behavior. Global ACI reports a new item i) in clause 5.1.1 for this, plus a new note explaining that quality culture and ethical behavior show up in the values people share, their attitudes and the way things are routinely done. Clause 7.3 (Awareness) adds organizational quality culture and ethical behavior to what people need to be aware of (Global ACI PDF). LRQA notes the theme also appears in the environment for the operation of processes (LRQA).
DQS describes this as quality becoming "explicitly a leadership responsibility" (DQS).
2. Quality policy linked to context and strategy (clause 5.2.1)
Global ACI reports that the policy clause now refers explicitly to the organization's context and strategic direction. Check that your policy is specific to your organization.
3. Risks and opportunities are separated (clause 6.1)
Clause 6.1 has been reorganized into 6.1.1 Determining risks and opportunities, 6.1.2 Actions to address risks and 6.1.3 Actions to address opportunities (Global ACI PDF). ISO says the aim is to ensure organizations "proactively take actions to pursue beneficial results" (ISO).
4. Planning of changes is strengthened (clause 6.3)
Clause 6.3 already existed in 2015. In 2026 it adds that changes should be implemented effectively to achieve intended results, and adds three new considerations: how the effectiveness of changes will be monitored and evaluated, communication of the changes, and how to review the results (Global ACI PDF).
5. Management review inputs (clause 9.3.2)
The wording changes from inputs being "taken into consideration" to the review "shall include" them. A new input covers changes in the needs and expectations of relevant interested parties (Global ACI PDF).
6. Climate change moves into the main text
The 2024 climate change amendment to ISO 9001:2015 is carried into the main text of the new edition (ANSI). Our reading of the 2024 amendment: work out whether climate change matters to your organization, and keep a note of how you decided. "Not relevant" can be a valid answer if you can show you considered it.
7. Documented information: "shall be available"
Global ACI reports that the standard uses a new phrase for documented information and clarifies that "documented information shall be available" (Global ACI PDF). In our reading, this is a wording change, and it does not mean you can stop keeping records.
8. Terms, structure and annexes
Core terms for quality management system, quality policy and quality objectives are now defined within the standard, with ISO 9000 remaining the normative reference (Global ACI PDF).
The standard is aligned with the latest Harmonized Structure for ISO management system standards, which ISO and DQS say makes integration with other ISO management system standards easier (ISO; DQS).
Annex A (informative) has been expanded to explain the intent of requirements, and Annex B has been removed. LRQA notes Annex A adds guidance "without adding new obligations" (LRQA).
Some clauses have been reorganized, such as 6.1 above, as reported by Global ACI. Check the numbering in your own copy.
What to review in your QMS
This table is our reading of where the changes may touch your documents. Not every organization will need every item, and your certification body will expect you to have assessed the changes against your own system.
| Change | Documents and processes to review |
|---|---|
| Quality culture and ethical behavior (5.1.1, 7.3) | Leadership commitment evidence; quality policy or a code of conduct/values statement; awareness training and induction material; internal communications |
| Quality policy and strategy (5.2.1) | Quality policy wording; how the policy links to your context analysis and business strategy |
| Risks and opportunities split (6.1) | Risk and opportunity procedure; risk register (consider separate sections or registers for risks and opportunities); action plans and how you evaluate their effectiveness |
| Planning of changes (6.3) | Change management procedure or form: add how you will monitor effectiveness, communicate the change and review results |
| Management review (9.3.2) | Management review agenda and minutes template: add changes in interested parties' needs and expectations; check all required inputs are covered |
| Climate change (context) | Context of the organization analysis; interested parties register |
| Documented information wording | Document control procedure; quality manual or clause map; any cross-reference to clause numbers |
| Terms and clause numbering | Quality manual, procedures and forms that cite clause numbers; training glossary |
| Internal audit | Audit checklists and audit program updated to the 2026 requirements; plan an internal audit of the changes before your transition audit |
A simple transition plan
Buy the standard. Get ISO 9001:2026 from ISO or your national standards body. Summaries, including this one, are no substitute.
Run a gap analysis against the 2026 requirements.
Update documents and processes using the table above.
Train people, especially top management, on quality culture, ethics and the new risk and opportunity approach.
Operate the updated system long enough to generate evidence, such as a management review using the new inputs.
Run an internal audit covering the changed clauses.
Book your transition audit with your certification body. Global ACI says it can happen at a surveillance or recertification audit or as a separate audit (Global ACI).
Transition timeline: what's confirmed and what isn't
Global ACI has published mandatory transition requirements for accreditation bodies that are signatories to its Multilateral Recognition Arrangement, and their accredited certification bodies (Global ACI):
By March 31, 2027: accreditation bodies ready to assess against ISO 9001:2026.
By June 30, 2027: certification bodies submit their transition declarations.
By September 30, 2027: accreditation bodies complete their transition decisions.
From March 31, 2028: new and initial accredited certifications only to ISO 9001:2026.
By September 30, 2029: all certified organizations transitioned.
UKAS lists March 16, 2028 as the date certification bodies stop accepting new applications against the previous edition. Global ACI's date for new and initial accredited certifications is March 31, 2028. Ask your certification body which applies to you.
Important caveats:
Your certification body may not be able to issue accredited 2026 certificates yet. A certification body must itself be transitioned by its accreditation body first. UKAS, for example, says it will begin transition assessment activity from December 1, 2026 and start transition decisions from January 1, 2027 (UKAS). Ask your certification body when it expects to be ready.
Some launch-day announcements were written before Global ACI's requirements. DQS and ANSI described the three-year transition as expected or still in the approval process (DQS; ANSI). Global ACI has since published its requirements with the September 30, 2029 deadline.
Local arrangements may differ in detail. Accreditation bodies can add their own requirements. Check with your certification body.
Check your current system against the changes
A step-by-step path through your transition starts with checking your current system against the main 2026 changes, section by section, and fixing the gaps you find.
Download our free Gap Analysis Checklist for ISO 9001:2026
If you later want ready-made files, the Core Kit for ISO 9001:2026 is a lean Essentials set of about 25 ready-made files, organized around the ISO 9001:2026 clause structure, plus optional extras when you need them. Email support included. Replies are AI-assisted. Only a certification body can certify your organization.
FAQ
When was ISO 9001:2026 published?
September 16, 2026, according to UKAS and ANSI (UKAS; ANSI).
Is ISO 9001:2015 still valid?
Yes, during the transition. Global ACI says accredited ISO 9001:2015 certificates must be transitioned by September 30, 2029, and no new or initial accredited 2015 certifications can be issued from March 31, 2028 (Global ACI).
Are the changes big?
Global ACI calls the overall changes "minimal" and UKAS calls them "targeted updates". Each organization must work out the impact on its own management system. The changes touch leadership, risks and opportunities, planning of changes and management review, so expect to update some documents and show evidence.
Do I need a new quality manual?
ISO/TC 176/SC 2's guidance says ISO 9001:2015 did not require a quality manual. We have not checked whether the 2026 edition says the same, so check your copy. If you have a manual, update it for the changes and any clause numbering.
Does ISO 9001:2026 require new documented information?
Global ACI's summary mentions a wording change for documented information (see item 7).
Can I get certified to ISO 9001:2026 now?
Only once your certification body has been transitioned by its accreditation body. UKAS says that until then, 2026 certificates cannot be represented as accredited (UKAS).
Where do I buy the standard?
From ISO (iso.org/standard/9001) or your national standards body, such as ANSI in the US or BSI in the UK.
Clearline Systems is an independent publisher of documentation templates. Clearline Systems is not affiliated with or endorsed by ISO (the International Organization for Standardization), any national standards body, accreditation body or certification body. We don't reproduce ISO text; you'll need your own copy of the standard.
Sources
ISO, ISO 9001 page: https://www.iso.org/standard/9001
Global ACI, "Global ACI Publishes Transition Requirements for ISO 9001:2026," September 16, 2026: https://global-aci.org/en/news/global-aci-publishes-transition-requirements-for-iso-90012026/
Global ACI, TECH-3-TR, Transition Requirements for ISO 9001:2026, version 1.0, issued September 4, 2026: https://sys.global-aci.org/uploads/documents/TECH-3-TR_2029-09-30_(M)_ISO_9001_2026_Transition_v1_03.pdf
UKAS Technical Bulletin, "QMS ISO 9001:2026 transition": https://www.ukas.com/resources/technical-bulletins/qms-iso-9001-2026-transition/
ANSI press release, September 16, 2026: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-full-revision-of-iso-9001-in-a-decade-now-available-from-ansi-302880800.html
LRQA, "ISO 9001:2026 is live": https://www.lrqa.com/en/latest-news/iso-9001-2026-live/
DQS, "ISO 9001:2026 published: Quality becomes a leadership responsibility," September 16, 2026: https://www.dqsglobal.com/en/about/newsroom/iso-9001-2026-published
All sources checked September 30, 2026 (originally September 25, 2026). This article summarizes the changes; it does not reproduce the text of ISO 9001:2026.