The most updated version of the world’s most popular Quality Management System has arrived. What was ISO 9001:2015 is now ISO 9001:2026. Similar to its predecessors, its foundation and elements remain the same, and organizations will have three years, until 2029, to transition to this standard.
Nevertheless, changes will require updates to their Quality Management Systems (QMS). Leadership, Quality Culture, and Ethics are a few key areas that will require more focus, as will Digital and Supply Chain considerations.
11 Years Can Be a Long Time in Quality
When the 2015 version of the Standard arrived, the world of manufacturing and quality was a lot slower to change. Video conferencing was not the norm for most Quality Teams. Supply Chain disruption was not a focus for most management systems. Quality systems were designed to rely on processes, and not people.
Change was eventually needed.
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That gap has now closed. The publication of ISO 9001:2026 means that quality managers can now update their Quality Management Systems (QMS) and associate paperwork. As someone that read the ISO 9001:2015 edition cover to cover on a flight and missed the in-flight meal, I can attest that the 2026 edition is better introductory reading. The most important aspects of the revision are covered below.
What Is New In ISO 9001:2026?
The 2026 edition focuses on improving the clarity of the requirements of the quality management system (QMS) to align with the needs of today’s business environment.
On September 15, 2026, SGS announced the release of ISO 9001:2026. Compared to ISO 9001:2015, the main differences are the clarification of language used in the requirements, removal of redundant text, and a modified structure.
The important point to understand is that a comprehensive QMS that aligned with the requirements of previous editions of ISO 9001 will still largely align with the requirements of ISO 9001:2026. The main difference is the improvement of the wiring and systems of the QMS.
In summary, the release of ISO 9001:2026 provides quality management systems with the opportunity to adapt to a more integrated, and often times, more risky, business environment.
Importance of the Revision
Most Recognized Standard
As of 2025, over one million ISO 9001 certificates had been issued. Nearly every country and industry sector has issued a certificate. In global supply chains, many organizations require companies in their supply chains to have an ISO 9001 certificate. Without it, companies are disqualified from competing for contracts.
Many customers, auditors and managers have to be aware of changes to ISO 9001, and how those changes will impact their procurement.
Recent Media Coverage
Though the most recent changes to ISO 9001 were published in 2020, in 2025 the certification body NQA released a statement indicating that there would be changes to the standards that would impact the supply chain, as well as changes to risk, ethics and resilience.
Other changes that were published in 2026, indicated that the ISO 9001 standard would include how an organization impacts the environment and climate and how the organization is managing risks, opportunities and sustainability.
The final version of the updated ISO standard was published in late 2020. As noted above, there were significant changes to the Standard that reflect shifts in global economics that impacted companies from 2010 to 2020. Thus, it is prudent for both managers and regulators to understand the rationale and reasons for the changes to the Standard.
Key Changes to ISO 9001:2026
This is the part of the article that most readers jump to. The main changes are summarized here.
Leadership
TOP Management can no longer pretend that ensuring quality is the responsibility of the Quality Management Department. Strong leadership is required for the establishment, implementation and maintenance of the Quality Management System. In the previous version, leadership was spoken of vaguely.
Quality Management System Culture
It has always been common knowledge that in the field of Quality Management, culture is more vital than processes. In the 2026 revision, emphasis is on evaluation of employees’ behavior and commitment as opposed to documentation.
Ethics and Integrity
Behavior that is considered ethical by employees should be encouraged and reinforced by Management. A risk that is introduced by an employee’s behavior to achieve a quality objective is a governance risk.
Risk and Opportunity Management
Risk and Opportunity Management is a central focus of the 2026 revision. The standard describes management of both risks and opportunities and how the Quality Management System helps in addressing those.
Climate Change
Consideration of how climate change may impact the organization was added to the 2015 revision of the standard. As of 2026, it has become a requirement to consider how climate change may impact the organization and how that may impact the quality of products and services.
Reflections on Digitalisation and Supply Chains
Work happens across digital, cloud and global supply systems. This edition of the standard covers oversight for outsourcing, knowledge protection and resilience. We have learned the hard way in the last several years what happens when systems break down.
The continuity of the structure of this standard is reason for comfort. However, we should acknowledge that the intent and focus have increased.
What the Change Means for Certified Companies
Certified companies have three years to update their quality management systems and related certifications. We can expect this to be the case based on previous transitions; however, exact time frames will be confirmed by the IAF and other accreditation bodies.
Three years sounds like a long time; however, previous experience shows this is insufficient. Many significant improvements will be necessary to meet the requirements of this latest standard.
We should expect the transition to improve the company’s overall management systems. While many improvements will touch the desk of upper management, required systems improvements will often affect process improvements at lower levels.
There should be a sense of urgency to meet the requirements of this latest standard; however, improvements to systems and processes should be carefully planned. This will allow companies to meet the necessary requirements to continue operations.
Early adopters of the latest standard should view this transition in a positive light. They should expect several improvements to their overall company operations management systems. Companies adopting the latest management systems at the last minute should not expect this to be the case.
What Sets IRQS Apart in the Marketplace
Many organizations are able to issue certificates. Fewer organizations are able to make certificates meaningful. IRQS is in a class of its own.
An Established History of Independent Verification
The Indian Register of Shipping (IRQS) is an organization that has built a reputation by providing independent assurance. IRQS has extensive experience and a large client base globally. They are able to provide assurance that very few certification bodies in India are able to.
Accreditation of International Standards
The certifications provided by IRQS are internationally recognized and accepted. IRQS is able to offer assurance that is accepted by the international market.
No Conflict of Interest is Company Policy
One important distinction that many clients miss is that IRQS does not provide any type of consultancy services to assist clients with their implementation of the ISO 9001 certification. This has a positive impact on clients by helping to retain impartiality, and eliminating the conflict of interest in providing assurance and grading services for the same product.
A company did state that the audit they received was “thorough.” Another client stated that IRQS provided a “balanced assessment” and helped the client understand their level of readiness for the ISO 9001 certification.
A Two Phase Approach to Auditing
Prior to providing final certification, IRQS evaluates the client to ensure they are ready to implement a quality management system. Phase two of the process consists of IRQS evaluating the system to ensure it is functioning as designed and interacting with all of the clients’ employees as necessary to evaluate system functionality.
Save Management Time with IRQS
Organizations running multiple management systems benefit from IRQS’s combined audit scheme. For instance, IRQS can perform ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 audits at the same time, therefore reducing the time required for management system audit coordination. Also, with all the management system standards (MSS) now adopting Annex SL structure, and as they continue to be revised, alignment of different MSS standards will only improve.
Extensive Global Presence
IRQS has multiple offices in India and also in other international locations including London, Singapore, Dubai, Rotterdam, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok and Doha.
What this means for customers
With a presence across the world, IRQS understands the needs of customers and is well positioned for the challenges ahead as it guides customers through organization and management system transition.
Get Trained by IRQS for ISO 9001
Starting July 1, 2017, organizations will be required to transition to the newest quality management standard (QMS). IRQS has a training schedule for several levels of involvement for your organization based on your interests and experience. The accredited lead auditor training course is five days, the internal auditor course is two days, and the training for QMS implementation and awareness is four and eight hours respectively.
We provide training in multiple formats to accommodate your schedule. Classes are available in live online, in person, and on site formats.
For classes and information regarding IRQS ISO 9001 training courses, click here.
Customers’ Frequent Inquiries
Is the current ISO 9001:2015 certification valid?
Yes, during the transition period, the certificates remain valid. However, the IAF and other interested parties have set a time limit beyond which the organization must move to the latest version of the standard.
What is the difference between the recent and older versions?
The latest version is not a complete rewrite. It is in line with the 2015 version with additional considerations of the more recent development in the areas of leadership, quality, risk, climate, and resilience.
Does IRQS provide transition consultancy?
No, we only provide training, audit and certification services, which allows us to protect our impartiality. Our training services enable client organizations to attain the necessary knowledge and skills without crossing the line to consultancy.
Can IRQS audit and assess other management systems standards alongside ISO 9001?
Yes, we combine assessments and audits as the client organization requires. We can, for example, combine ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 audits and assessments.
The 2026 Transition Will Be Worth It
It’s time to address the real issues of quality within our organizations and stop concentrating on the date. The new standard wants us to demonstrate good leadership, culture and ethics. There has always been a quality management system focus on the mentioned elements and now we must prove it.
3 years may seem like a long time, but it will go by quicker than we expect. If an organization waits until the last minute, they will get a newly dated quality management system certificate and nothing more. Organizations that start early and work with an independent certification body will benefit in the long term.
For over 25 years IRQS has offered no consultancy services and is accredited by the NABCB. Additional services include CQI IRCA trained and certified staff, offices throughout India and worldwide.
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