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ISO 9001:2026 Update: What the new Quality Management Standard means for your organisation

ISO 9001:2026 Update: What the new Quality Management Standard means for your organisation
Steph Rowland
Articlesblogs
22/06/2026

ISO 9001 The world’s most widely recognised Quality Management System (QMS) standard is evolving.

ISO 9001:2026 is expected to be published in late 2026, introducing a range of updates designed to ensure the standard remains relevant in today’s increasingly complex business environment.

While the core principles of quality management remain unchanged, the revised standard builds on recent developments, including the introduction of climate change considerations through the 2024 amendment, while placing greater emphasis on leadership accountability, risk-based thinking, change management, supplier oversight, and continual improvement.

For organisations already certified to ISO 9001:2015, the good news is that the changes are expected to be evolutionary rather than disruptive. Most businesses will be able to build upon their existing Quality Management System rather than implement a complete overhaul.

Why is ISO 9001 being updated?

Since the publication of ISO 9001:2015, organisations have faced significant changes in how they operate.

Today’s businesses are navigating:

  • Increasing customer expectations
  • More complex supply chains and outsourced activities
  • Rapid technological and organisational change
  • Greater focus on resilience, governance, and accountability
  • Growing pressure to demonstrate continual improvement

The revision aims to ensure ISO 9001 continues to provide organisations with a practical framework for delivering consistent quality while supporting long-term business performance.

What are the key ISO 9001:2026 changes?

The Draft International Standard (DIS) introduces a combination of editorial updates, terminology changes, and strengthened requirements. While many changes provide greater clarity, several areas introduce new expectations that organisations should begin preparing for.

Stronger leadership involvement
Leadership continues to play a central role within ISO 9001, but the revised standard reinforces expectations around visible involvement and accountability. Top management will be expected to demonstrate greater engagement in promoting quality culture, aligning quality objectives with business strategy, and supporting ethical decision-making throughout the organisation. This reflects a broader shift towards integrating quality management into day-to-day business leadership rather than treating it as a standalone compliance activity.
More structured risk and change management
One of the most significant themes within ISO 9001:2026 is the strengthening of risk and opportunity management. The revised standard is expected to require organisations to distinguish more clearly between identifying risks and opportunities and planning actions to address them. In addition, a more structured approach to managing organisational change will be introduced, ensuring businesses can effectively assess, plan, and control changes that may impact the Quality Management System.
Enhanced communication and awareness
The update strengthens expectations around communication, awareness, and employee engagement. Organisations will need to ensure that employees understand not only their responsibilities within the QMS but also how their role contributes to quality performance and organisational objectives. Clear, accessible documentation and effective communication processes will play an increasingly important role in demonstrating compliance.
Greater oversight of suppliers and outsourced processes
As supply chains become more complex, ISO 9001:2026 places additional emphasis on managing externally provided products, services, and processes. Organisations will be expected to demonstrate stronger controls over suppliers, contractors, and outsourced activities to ensure quality requirements are consistently met across the entire value chain. This change reflects the growing importance of supplier performance in maintaining customer satisfaction and operational consistency.
More meaningful audits and management reviews
Internal audits and management reviews are expected to become more outcome-focused. Rather than concentrating solely on compliance, organisations will be encouraged to use audits and management reviews as strategic tools for evaluating effectiveness, identifying opportunities for improvement, and supporting decision-making. The emphasis shifts from simply collecting data to actively using it to improve performance.
Stronger focus on continual improvement
Continual improvement remains a cornerstone of ISO 9001, but the revised standard strengthens the connection between performance monitoring, audit findings, management review outcomes, and improvement activities. Organisations will need to demonstrate how improvement actions are identified, implemented, monitored, and evaluated to prevent recurring issues and drive long-term success.
Climate change remains a key consideration
Although climate change is often discussed alongside the ISO 9001:2026 revision, it is important to note that climate-related requirements were already introduced into ISO 9001 through Amendment 1, published in 2024. The amendment requires organisations to determine whether climate change is a relevant issue within the context of their Quality Management System and to consider whether interested parties have climate-related requirements that could affect the organisation. As businesses continue to face increasing environmental, regulatory, and stakeholder expectations, organisations should ensure that climate-related risks and opportunities are considered as part of their wider business planning and quality management activities. While ISO 9001 remains a quality management standard rather than an environmental standard, the inclusion of climate change reflects the growing recognition that environmental factors can influence organisational performance, resilience, customer expectations, and long-term success.
What does this mean for certified organisations?

For most organisations already certified to ISO 9001:2015, the transition should be manageable.

The structure of the standard remains familiar, and many of the revised requirements build upon practices that organisations may already have in place.

However, businesses should expect to review:

  • Quality objectives and strategic alignment
  • Risk and opportunity management processes
  • Change management procedures
  • Supplier and contractor controls
  • Internal communication and awareness programmes
  • Audit and management review processes
  • Quality management documentation

Taking a proactive approach will help ensure a smooth transition once the final version of the standard is published.

How can organisations prepare now?

Although the final version of ISO 9001:2026 has not yet been released, there are several practical steps organisations can begin taking today:

  • Review existing risk management processes
  • Assess how organisational changes are currently managed
  • Evaluate leadership involvement in the QMS
  • Review supplier management and oversight arrangements
  • Ensure quality objectives align with business strategy
  • Strengthen audit programmes to focus on effectiveness and outcomes
  • Monitor updates as the standard progresses towards publication

Early preparation can reduce transition costs, minimise disruption, and improve readiness for future certification audits.

How IMSM can help

At IMSM, we are closely monitoring the development of ISO 9001:2026 and preparing support services to help organisations transition smoothly.

Once the revised standard is published, our specialists will be able to:

  • Explain the changes and their impact on your organisation
  • Conduct a gap analysis against your current QMS
  • Update documentation where required
  • Provide guidance and training for key stakeholders
  • Support your organisation through the transition and recertification process

Our goal is to make the transition as straightforward and stress-free as possible, allowing you to focus on running your business while maintaining confidence in your Quality Management System.

Stay informed about ISO 9001:2026

The final version of ISO 9001:2026 is expected to be published in late 2026.

As more information becomes available, IMSM will continue to provide updates, guidance, and practical support to help organisations prepare for the transition.

If you would like to discuss how the upcoming changes may affect your organisation, contact our team today.

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