What is ISO 9001:2026?
ISO 9001 is the world's most widely adopted standard for quality management systems. ISO 9001:2026 is the sixth edition, published on 16 September 2026. It cancels and replaces ISO 9001:2015 and incorporates the 2024 climate change amendment.
Purpose of the revision
ISO standards are reviewed at least every five years to confirm they remain fit for purpose. The systematic review of ISO 9001:2015, which closed in December 2020, narrowly voted to confirm the standard unchanged. A further ballot in 2023 on the future of ISO 9001 led the responsible ISO subcommittee to begin a revision earlier than the normal cycle, and that work was published as ISO 9001:2026.
The objective was not to reinvent the standard. The clause structure shared across ISO management system standards, known since 2021 as the harmonized structure, is retained, so Clauses 4 to 10 remain where they were. The foreword of the standard lists six main changes: core management system terms 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 quality management system; enhanced explanatory content in Annex A; and removal of Annex B.
The standard was prepared by ISO/TC 176/SC 2, the ISO subcommittee responsible for ISO 9001, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). National mirror committees in member countries contributed to drafting and voted at each stage of development.
Who it applies to
ISO 9001 is generic by design. It applies to any organization, regardless of size, sector, or the products and services it provides. The 2026 edition keeps that universality. It does not add sector-specific or digital-specific requirements, though it does clarify that infrastructure considerations apply to all types of work, whether on site, remote or a combination.
Organizations certified to ISO 9001:2015 will need to transition to remain certified. As with previous revisions, a three-year transition is planned, which would keep ISO 9001:2015 certificates valid until 30 September 2029. Transition rules are set by Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, the body that replaced the IAF and ILAC on 1 January 2026. Confirm your specific dates with your certification body.
A short history of ISO 9001
Each edition has reflected the management thinking of its era: from documented procedures, to processes, to risk and context, and now to culture.
- 1987First edition
ISO 9001 published alongside ISO 9002 and ISO 9003, codifying quality assurance requirements for the first time.
- 1994Second edition
Revision placing greater emphasis on preventive action and documented procedures. ISO 9001, 9002 and 9003 remained separate models.
- 2000Third edition: Process approach
Major restructure. ISO 9002 and ISO 9003 were merged into ISO 9001, and the process approach and customer focus became central themes.
- 2008Fourth edition: Clarifying revision
Minor update with no new requirements; clarifications to existing text.
- 2015Fifth edition: High Level Structure
Adoption of the Annex SL high level structure (renamed the harmonized structure in 2021), risk-based thinking, and stronger leadership requirements.
- 2024Amendment 1
Climate change added to clauses 4.1 and 4.2 of ISO 9001:2015.
- 2026Sixth edition
Published 16 September 2026. Quality culture and ethical behaviour, risks and opportunities separated, strengthened management of change, and core terms added to Clause 3.