Question 1

When was ISO 9001:2026 published?

Accepted Answer

On 16 September 2026. It is the sixth edition of ISO 9001. It cancels and replaces ISO 9001:2015 and incorporates the 2024 climate change amendment. It was prepared by ISO/TC 176/SC 2 in collaboration with CEN, so a European edition, EN ISO 9001:2026, and other national adoptions will follow.

Question 2

How long is the transition period?

Accepted Answer

Three years. The transition ends on 30 September 2029. After that date, certificates to ISO 9001:2015 are no longer valid. The dates are set in Global ACI-TECH-3-TR 2029-09-30 (M), Transition Requirements for ISO 9001:2026, published on the same day as the standard.

Question 3

What are the key transition dates?

Accepted Answer

16 September 2026: ISO 9001:2026 and the transition requirements published.
31 March 2027: accreditation bodies ready to assess certification bodies.
30 June 2027: certification bodies submit their transition declarations.
30 September 2027: accreditation bodies complete their decisions.
31 March 2028: new and initial certifications to ISO 9001:2026 only.
30 September 2029: transition ends. ISO 9001:2015 certificates no longer valid.

Question 4

Can I get certified to ISO 9001:2026 now?

Accepted Answer

You can start implementing now, and you should. An accredited certificate to ISO 9001:2026 can only be issued once your certification body's own accreditation has been transitioned to the new edition. Accreditation bodies have until 30 September 2027 to complete those decisions, so ask your certification body when it expects to be ready. There was never a route to certify to a draft.

Question 5

Is ISO 9001:2015 withdrawn?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The 2026 edition cancels and replaces it, so it is no longer the current standard and you cannot buy it as the current edition. Existing certificates to ISO 9001:2015 remain valid until 30 September 2029, or until they expire, whichever comes first.

Question 6

Who is Global ACI, and what happened to the IAF?

Accepted Answer

Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI) is the international body that replaced the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). It began full operations on 1 January 2026. It sets the transition rules that accreditation bodies and certification bodies follow, which is why the ISO 9001:2026 transition document carries its name rather than the IAF's.

Question 7

Where can I get a copy of the standard?

Accepted Answer

From the ISO Store at iso.org or from your national standards body. National adoptions, such as EN ISO 9001:2026, usually follow a few months after the ISO edition and carry the same requirements. ISO 9001:2026 is copyrighted, so avoid unofficial copies.

Question 8

What are the main changes in ISO 9001:2026?

Accepted Answer

The foreword lists six: a limited set of core terms and definitions added to Clause 3; quality culture and ethical behaviour introduced into the requirements; risks and opportunities separated, with actions for each; strengthened management of change to the QMS; enhanced explanatory content in Annex A; and removal of Annex B. See the [Key changes page](/changes) for the detail.

Question 9

Is this a major revision?

Accepted Answer

Structurally, no. The ten clause structure, the process approach and the intent are unchanged, and a working 2015 system does not need rebuilding. In substance it is more than a tidy-up. Quality culture is a new leadership requirement, and the split between risks and opportunities is real work. Most organizations find about twenty clauses need action.

Question 10

Is climate change a new requirement in 2026?

Accepted Answer

No. Climate change was added to ISO 9001:2015 by Amendment 1 in February 2024, and the 2026 edition carries it through unchanged. Clause 4.1 requires you to determine whether climate change is a relevant issue, and a note to 4.2 says interested parties can have climate related requirements. If you implemented the amendment, there is nothing further to do.

Question 11

What does "quality culture and ethical behaviour" actually require?

Accepted Answer

Three things. Top management must promote quality culture and ethical behaviour (5.1.1 i). People doing work under your control must be aware of it (7.3 e). And the standard notes that culture can influence the working environment (7.1.4). The standard does not define a target culture. Note 2 to 5.1.1 says culture is reflected in shared values, attitudes, practices and actions, which means it is shown by what people do.

Question 12

What changed about risks and opportunities?

Accepted Answer

Clause 6.1 is now three sub-clauses: 6.1.1 determining risks and opportunities, 6.1.2 actions to address risks, and 6.1.3 actions to address opportunities. Each needs to be determined, analysed and evaluated, with planned actions and an evaluation of whether those actions worked. Risk actions must be proportionate to impact. The same split carries through to analysis (9.1.3) and management review (9.3.2).

Question 13

Is there anything about digital transformation or AI?

Accepted Answer

No. Early commentary predicted digital transformation requirements, but none made it into the published text. The only digital reference is a note under 7.1.6 listing digital systems as one form in which organizational knowledge can be held. The 7.1.3 note on infrastructure now covers remote and hybrid work.

Question 14

Is Annex SL still used?

Accepted Answer

The clause structure is the same one used across ISO management system standards. Since 2021 that structure has been called the harmonized structure, rather than the high level structure. It is published in Annex SL of the ISO/IEC Directives. That is why ISO 9001:2026 still lines up clause for clause with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.

Question 15

Will my existing ISO 9001:2015 certificate become invalid?

Accepted Answer

Not immediately. It remains valid until 30 September 2029, unless it expires earlier. After that date, all ISO 9001:2015 certificates are invalid. If your certificate would normally run past 30 September 2029, your certification body may issue it with a shorter validity so that it does not extend beyond the end of the transition.

Question 16

Will recertification audits cover the new standard automatically?

Accepted Answer

Not automatically. You need to agree the transition with your certification body. Global ACI allows the transition audit to be held with a surveillance audit, with a recertification audit, or as a separate special audit. Plan your timing so that you are ready before the audit you choose.

Question 17

What will the transition audit look at?

Accepted Answer

At a minimum, the changed requirements of ISO 9001:2026 compared with the 2015 edition, any changes to your organization's context, and whether other changes to your management system are needed. Expect particular attention on quality culture, the separation of risks and opportunities, and management of change.

Question 18

Will the transition audit take longer?

Accepted Answer

Possibly. Your certification body must consider whether extra audit time is needed and justify its calculation under ISO/IEC 17021-1. Global ACI notes that extra time may not be needed where the transition is combined with a full system audit, such as recertification.

Question 19

What happens if we miss the transition deadline?

Accepted Answer

Your ISO 9001:2015 certificate is no longer valid after 30 September 2029, and you cannot claim accredited certification. Getting certified to ISO 9001:2026 after that point is handled under your certification body's rules and usually means a new certification process. Book your transition audit early. Audit calendars fill quickly in the final year of any transition.

Question 20

When should we transition?

Accepted Answer

As soon as your system is ready and your certification body is accredited for the 2026 edition. A sensible target is the first surveillance or recertification audit after that point, which for most certification bodies will be during 2027. Leaving it to 2029 compresses your time and competes with every other organization for auditor capacity.

Question 21

Do small organizations need to do anything different?

Accepted Answer

No. There are no separate requirements for small organizations. ISO 9001 is generic by design, and the extent of documented information depends on your size, complexity and the competence of your people (7.5.1). Several of the changes are wording only. Annex A.1 points to the ISO 9001 Handbook for small enterprises for practical guidance.

Question 22

We are adding a new site or scope. Which edition applies?

Accepted Answer

Until 31 March 2028, a certification body may still certify new clients to ISO 9001:2015, although that certificate will expire on 30 September 2029. From 31 March 2028, new and initial certifications are to ISO 9001:2026 only. If you are extending an existing certificate, ask your certification body whether it is simpler to transition at the same time.

Question 23

Do internal auditors need to be re-trained?

Accepted Answer

The standard does not name a course, but your internal auditors must be competent (7.2) and must audit against the current requirements (9.2.1). In practice that means training on what changed, and new skills for auditing quality culture, which is evidenced mainly by interviews and observation rather than documents. Also note that 9.2.2 a) now requires audit objectives to be defined for each audit.

Question 24

Will Lead Auditor certifications need refreshing?

Accepted Answer

That depends on the body that certifies you as an auditor, such as CQI and IRCA or Exemplar Global, not on the standard itself. For the 2015 revision, IRCA required its certificated auditors to complete transition training by the end of the transition period. Check your certifying body's current policy. Certification body auditors must be trained on the 2026 edition before they can audit to it, which is a Global ACI requirement.

Question 25

What evidence will auditors look for around climate change?

Accepted Answer

A recorded determination of whether climate change is a relevant issue (4.1). A yes or a no is acceptable if you can show it was genuinely considered. If it is relevant, expect auditors to look for its effect on your risks and opportunities, and on interested party requirements (4.2). The standard does not require a climate strategy, emissions targets or a separate climate policy.

Question 26

How will auditors assess quality culture?

Accepted Answer

Mainly through interviews and observation. Expect top management to be asked for dated examples of how they promote quality culture and ethical behaviour, and people at other levels to be asked what is expected of them when something is not right. Auditors triangulate the two. Records such as concession trends, corrective actions that blame individuals, and repeat findings are used to corroborate. No documented information is required.

Question 27

Do we need a formal risk management method, such as ISO 31000?

Accepted Answer

No. Annex A.6.1.2 states that the risk requirements do not imply the use of formal risk management approaches. You do need to show that risks and opportunities were determined, analysed and evaluated, and that actions are proportionate, integrated into your processes, and checked for effectiveness.

Question 28

Do I need to rewrite my entire QMS?

Accepted Answer

No. The clause structure, the process approach and most requirements are unchanged. A well run 2015 system typically needs targeted updates in about twenty places, the largest being the separation of risks and opportunities. Start with a gap analysis, then update only what the gaps require.

Question 29

Are there new mandatory documents?

Accepted Answer

No new documented information is required. The wording has been standardized: "maintain documented information" becomes "shall be available as documented information", and "retain documented information" becomes "documented information shall be available as evidence of". The first means a current document; the second means a retained record (Annex A.2). One item moves category: under 7.1.5.2, the basis for calibration where no traceable standard exists is now documented information to be available, rather than a retained record.

Question 30

Do we need a quality culture policy or values statement?

Accepted Answer

No. The requirement is for top management to promote quality culture and ethical behaviour, and for people to be aware of it. Neither needs a new document. A values statement on its own is weak evidence. What people do, and what leaders pay attention to, is stronger.

Question 31

Do we need a separate opportunity register?

Accepted Answer

The standard does not prescribe a format. It does require opportunities to be determined, analysed, evaluated and acted on in their own right, with their effectiveness evaluated separately from risk actions (6.1.3, 9.1.3 f, 9.3.2 h). Many organizations find a separate register the simplest way to show this. A combined register with the opportunity column left blank is a likely finding.

Question 32

Do we need to renumber our documents?

Accepted Answer

The main clause numbers 4 to 10 are unchanged, so most references still work. Check references to 6.1 (now split into three), 7.1.5.2 and 7.5.2 (both renamed), 9.3.3 (renamed from outputs to results), and 10.3, which no longer exists because it merged into 10.1. Lettered lists also grew in 4.4.1, 5.1.1, 5.2.1, 5.3, 6.3, 9.1.3 and 9.3.2.

Question 33

Is ISO 9000 still needed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ISO 9000 remains the normative reference for all quality management terms and definitions. Clause 3 of ISO 9001:2026 now includes a limited set of core management system terms, such as organization, interested party, risk and documented information, but it adds to ISO 9000 rather than replacing it.

Question 34

Can integrated management systems (with 14001, 45001) transition together?

Accepted Answer

Partly, and it depends on timing. ISO 14001:2026 was published in April 2026 and its transition ends on 30 April 2029. ISO 45001 is still being revised, with publication expected in 2027 as ISO 45001:2027. All three share the harmonized structure, so a combined gap analysis and a single transition audit for 9001 and 14001 is often practical. Plan 45001 separately once its dates are known.

Question 35

What should we do first?

Accepted Answer

Get the standard and read the requirements alongside Annex A, which now explains the intent of each clause. Run a clause-by-clause gap analysis. Then confirm your transition audit window with your certification body and build a plan that works back from that date.

Question 36

Are there free tools to help?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The [Resources page](/resources) has a transition gap analysis checklist, an editable transition plan in Excel, and an internal audit checklist covering Clauses 4 to 10 with the 2026 changes flagged. All are free to download.

Question 37

Is there a course on ISO 9001:2026?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The ISO 9001:2026 course from Quality Gurus walks through every change, clause by clause, with what it means in practice and how to evidence it. Link: [learn.qualitygurus.com/courses/iso-9001-2026](https://learn.qualitygurus.com/courses/iso-9001-2026)

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