Towards a new ISO 9001: the 2026 revision

For years, ISO 9001 has been one of the main international references for quality management, adopted by millions of organizations around the world. However, like any standard designed to operate in constantly evolving economic and organizational contexts, ISO 9001 is not static. For this reason, a new revision of the standard is expected to be published this year, an update that is eagerly awaited and closely followed by companies, certification bodies, and quality professionals.

Over time, ISO 9001 certification has proven to be an effective tool for structuring processes, improving business performance, and strengthening customer confidence, as we discussed in our article dedicated to ISO 9001 certification. The standard is also based on the seven principles of quality management, which form the conceptual foundation of the entire system and which we have analyzed in detail in a specific in-depth article .

The revision of ISO 9001 stems from the need to maintain the current standard, ensuring it remains effective and consistent with the new challenges that organizations face: from the growing complexity of processes to digitization, to a greater focus on sustainability, risk management, and the role of leadership.

In this article, we will analyze the status of the revision, the main changes that have emerged from the available drafts, and what to expect from the new version of ISO 9001, offering a useful overview to understand the concrete impacts and prepare for the upcoming changes in an informed manner.

Updates on the revision and publication dates

The revision of the ISO 9001 certification has been under discussion for some time, and finally the first concrete news has emerged. The long-awaited draft has been published and remained open for 12 weeks, during which time it was possible to vote and submit comments and suggestions aimed at improving the quality management principles that characterize the standard and the entire ISO family.
The publication of the new version of ISO 9001 is expected in the second half of 2026, with a probable release between October and November.
As the final release approaches, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) is expected to announce the rules and timelines for the transition. Generally, ISO standards for management systems allow for a transition period of up to three years. However, given the limited scope of the changes currently planned, a shorter transition period than in the past may be defined.

Topics revised in the first draft version

The revision of ISO 9001 scheduled for 2026 introduces a series of targeted updates, many of which are aimed at greater alignment with the structure of other ISO management system standards.
Among the main changes emerging from the currently available drafts are:

Clause 5.1 – Leadership and commitment: a new amendment has been introduced to strengthen the culture of quality and ethical behavior, providing clearer guidance on how these aspects can be demonstrated in a concrete way within organizations.
Clause 6.1 – Actions to address risks and opportunities: a more explicit separation between risk and opportunity management is provided for, with the introduction of new sub-clauses and expanded guidelines.
Climate change: guidelines on climate change, already introduced with the 2024 amendments, are integrated in a structured manner.
Annex A: The annex has been expanded and updated to provide more detailed guidance consistent with clauses 4 to 10 with the aim of improving clarity and applicability.
Digital technologies: Tools such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, and automation are recognized as strategic levers for improving performance and excellence in quality management principles.
Resilience and supply chain: greater emphasis is placed on organizational resilience, risk forecasting and management, and supply chain performance.
ESG and stakeholders: quality management is further linked to ESG expectations and the role of stakeholders, strengthening the integration of quality, sustainability, and governance.

Recommended actions for companies

In view of the publication of the new ISO 9001, organizations are called upon to adopt a proactive and structured approach to change. Preparing for the transition in good time not only reduces the risks associated with compliance, but also allows organizations to seize the opportunities for improvement offered by the revision of the standard. Below are some recommended actions for effectively addressing the update process.

Conduct a gap analysis as soon as the Draft International Standard is available in order to identify the main differences from the management system currently in use.
Review and update the documentation and processes of the quality management system, aligning them with the new terminology and changes introduced in the clauses of the standard.
Train managers and staff on the new requirements, with a focus on risk management, ethics, and digitalization.
Strengthen monitoring and controls on suppliers and stakeholders, in line with the new oversight framework provided for in the revised standard.

The transition to the new ISO 9001

The revision of ISO 9001 scheduled for 2026 represents an important step for all organizations that have adopted certification as a tool for management and continuous improvement. Although the changes introduced do not radically alter the structure of the standard, they reinforce aspects that are increasingly central to modern companies, such as leadership, risk management, digitalization, supply chain resilience, and the integration of ESG expectations.

Taking a proactive approach to the transition will enable organizations not only to ensure continuity of certification, but also to seize the opportunity to strengthen their processes, improve performance, and increase the value generated for customers and stakeholders. Preparing in advance, understanding the changes, and planning the necessary adjustments will therefore be essential to turning the revision of ISO 9001 into a concrete and lasting competitive advantage.

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