The new edition of the world’s most widely used international standard for quality management systems – ISO 9001:2026 “Quality management systems — Requirements” – is in the final stage before its official publication.
According to the latest information from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the standard has “Under publication” status (stage 60.00) and is in the final phase before its official release. The sixth edition of ISO 9001 is expected to be published in September 2026 and to replace the current ISO 9001:2015 edition.
With the completion of the international review and voting on the DIS and FDIS drafts, the revision process has reached its final stage.

What Is Changing in ISO 9001:2026?
The new edition builds on the well-established foundation of ISO 9001, refining how the standard is understood and applied. The aim is to ensure that it remains relevant and practical in a rapidly evolving business environment.
Key highlights of the revision include:

• a clearer separation of risks and opportunities for a more balanced approach;
• a stronger emphasis on quality culture, values and ethical behaviour;
• improved usability and closer alignment with other ISO management system standards.

A significant addition is the new informative Annex A. Its purpose is to provide greater clarity on the terminology used in the standard and the intent of its requirements, helping to avoid ambiguity and misinterpretation. According to ISO, this will make the standard more accessible, particularly for first-time users and small businesses.

ISO 9001 Maintains Its Leading Role in Quality Management
ISO 9001 remains the world’s most widely used quality management standard, with more than one million certificates issued to organizations in 189 countries.
The standard provides a clear framework for establishing and maintaining an effective quality management system, supporting robust and consistent processes, improved performance and enhanced customer satisfaction.
According to ISO, the updated edition helps organizations to:

• enhance performance;
• better navigate uncertainty;
• strengthen their market position and build trust;
• create a solid foundation for sustainable, long-term growth.

What Comes Next for Certified Organizations?
Following the publication of ISO 9001:2026, organizations certified to ISO 9001:2015 will need to plan their transition to the new edition in accordance with the applicable requirements and their certification cycle.
ISO recommends that organizations contact their certification body for specific information regarding the transition.
Until the new edition is officially published, organizations can use this time to familiarize themselves with its key changes and assess how the revised requirements may affect their existing quality management system.

CONSEJO supports organizations in implementing and developing quality management systems, as well as in transitioning to new editions of ISO 9001 – from an initial GAP analysis and updating the quality management system to training and preparation for the certification audit.

Source: iso.org