Templates, glossary, and links

Glossary

Key ISO 9001:2026 terms in plain language. Final definitions will be confirmed in the published standard.

Context of the organization

The internal and external issues relevant to an organization's purpose and strategic direction that affect what its quality management system can achieve. Since 2024 this includes deciding whether climate change is a relevant issue.Reference: Clause 4.1

Documented information

Information an organization must control and maintain, together with the medium it is held on. It covers both documents and records. The standard separates information that must be available (a current document) from information that must be available as evidence (a retained record).Reference: Clause 3.10, Annex A.2

Ethical behaviour

Conduct in decisions, actions and interactions that supports confidence in an organization's ability to consistently deliver conforming products and services. ISO 9001:2026 always pairs it with quality culture.Reference: Clauses 5.1.1 i), 7.1.4, 7.3 e), Annex A.5.1

Global ACI

Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated. The international body that replaced the IAF and ILAC on 1 January 2026. It sets the transition rules that accreditation and certification bodies follow when a standard is revised. For ISO 9001:2026 the transition ends on 30 September 2029.

Harmonized structure

The common clause structure, core text and terms shared by ISO management system standards, including ISO 9001. Known as the high level structure until 2021.Reference: ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1, Annex SL

Interested party

A person or organization that can affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by a decision or activity. Also called a stakeholder. In 2026 the organization also decides which of their requirements the QMS addresses.Reference: Clauses 3.2, 4.2

ISO/TC 176/SC 2

The ISO subcommittee, within technical committee ISO/TC 176 on quality management and quality assurance, that is responsible for ISO 9001.

Management of change

Planning changes to the quality management system so they achieve their intended results. The 2026 edition asks for seven considerations, including how the change is communicated and how its effectiveness is evaluated.Reference: Clause 6.3

QMS

Quality management system. The part of an organization's overall management system that relates to quality.Reference: Clause 3.4.1

Quality culture

The standard does not define it as a term. Note 2 to clause 5.1.1 says an organization's quality culture and ethical behaviour are reflected in its shared values, attitudes, practices and actions. Top management must promote it, and people must be aware of it.Reference: Clauses 5.1.1 i) and Note 2, 7.3 e)

Risk

The effect of uncertainty. The effect can be positive or negative.Reference: Clause 3.7

Risk-based and opportunity-based thinking

Two related approaches that ISO 9001:2026 names separately. Risk-based thinking addresses what could go wrong. Opportunity-based thinking addresses what could go better. Each now has its own planning requirement.Reference: Clauses 5.1.1 k), 6.1.2, 6.1.3