ISO 9001:2026 and IA9100 – Upcoming Quality Management Standards Revisions

The global quality community is anticipating significant updates to ISO 9001 – the flagship quality management system standard – and its aerospace-sector counterpart (currently known as AS9100) in the next few years. ISO’s Technical Committee 176 has been working on a major revision of ISO 9001:2015, aiming to publish a new ISO 9001:2026 edition. In parallel, the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) is updating the 9100-series aerospace quality management standards to align with ISO 9001’s changes. This article summarises the current status and timeline for ISO 9001:2026, the IAQG’s plans for the IA9100 aerospace standard (a rebranded AS9100), projected release dates, expected key changes in both standards, and what organisations should do to prepare.

ISO 9001:2026 Revision – Status and Timeline

Official Status: ISO/TC 176/SC 2 (the committee overseeing ISO 9001) has officially commenced the revision of ISO 9001:2015 after a renewed ballot in 2023 approved the need for an update. The revision process is well underway, with a working group (WG 29) reviewing extensive comments and drafting the new standard. In April 2024, the first Committee Draft (CD1) was circulated for review; however, the committee determined by mid-2024 that a second draft (CD2) was necessary due to structural issues and numerous comments that needed resolution. This additional draft stage introduced some delays in the project timeline.

Revised Timeline: Initially, ISO 9001’s next edition was hoped for 2025, but the schedule has been adjusted. According to ISO/TC 176/SC 2, the development cycle has been extended to 36 months to incorporate the extra draft stage. The target publication date for the revised ISO 9001 is now September 2026committee.iso.org. This official timeline update was confirmed in late 2024, after the committee’s 7th meeting of the working group. In practical terms, that means we expect the finalized ISO 9001:2026 standard to be released in Q3 2026 (around September), barring any further delays. As of mid-2025, the committee is finalising the second committee draft, after which the draft will progress to the formal DIS (Draft International Standard) stage in 2025, followed by an FDIS (Final Draft) if needed, before publication in 2026.

IAQG’s Alignment of the Aerospace Standard (AS9100 to IA9100)

Rebranding to “IA9100”: The aerospace industry’s quality standard, AS9100, is being rebranded as IA9100 with the upcoming revision. The “IA” stands for “International Aerospace,” reflecting the IAQG’s move to harmonize and unify the standard globally. Under the IAQG’s new single standards management process, all sector versions (AS9100, EN 9100, JISQ 9100, etc.) will be merged into one internationally released document. When the next version is released, it will carry the IA9100 designation (with the revision year as part of the identifier) instead of separate regional naming. This rebranding underscores that the standard is truly international in scope, and it aligns the naming with other IAQG standards.

Status and Timeline: The IAQG has been actively preparing for the 9100-series update in parallel with ISO’s work, to ensure alignment. A 5-year review of AS9100 was launched around 2020–2021 to gather input on needed improvements. An IAQG team consolidated hundreds of proposals and identified key concepts for the new revision by 2022. Drafting of the revised IA9100 requirements has been ongoing, with coordination drafts shared among IAQG sectors. Crucially, the IAQG decided to time the release of the new IA9100 to coincide with ISO 9001’s schedule. Publication of the new IA9100 revision is planned for 2026 in alignment with the ISO 9001:2026 release. In fact, industry updates indicate an expected Q4 2026 release for IA9100, shortly after ISO 9001 comes out in September. Formal balloting of the IA9100 standard is taking place during 2024–2026, so that the aerospace standard can be finalized once ISO 9001:2026 is published.

It’s worth noting that the entire 9100-series (which includes standards for aerospace maintenance organisations and distributors, i.e. 9110 and 9120) will undergo similar updates and rebranding (to IA9110, IA9120, etc.) on this timeline. The IAQG’s goal is to have all these sector standards updated in step with ISO 9001:2026, avoiding any lag between the general quality requirements and the aerospace-specific additions. Originally, some expected the new aerospace standard could be finalised by late 2024 or 2025, but the revised plan clearly ties its release to ISO’s schedule, meaning IA9100 will likely debut in late 2026.

Projected Release Dates for ISO 9001:2026 and IA9100

Both standards are now on track for publication in 2026, pending the successful completion of the revision processes:

• ISO 9001:2026 – Target release: September 2026 (officially planned)committee.iso.org. This is the timeframe announced by ISO/TC 176, after extending the revision project to accommodate an extra draft. If this schedule holds, organisations can expect to see the new ISO 9001 standard available in Q3 2026.

• IA9100 (new 9100-series standard) – Expected release: Late 2026 (likely Q4 2026). The IAQG intends to publish the revised aerospace QMS standards shortly after ISO 9001:2026. Industry communications suggest IA9100 could be released by the end of 2026, aligning closely with ISO 9001’s publication. This synchronisation ensures that aerospace suppliers will upgrade their QMS once, incorporating both the new ISO base requirements and the updated sector-specific requirements together.

Keep in mind that these dates are targets and could shift if unforeseen issues arise in final drafting or approval stages. However, as of now (mid-2025), both ISO and IAQG have publicly communicated these 2026 release expectations. Organisations should plan with these dates in mind.

Expected Changes in ISO 9001:2026

What will ISO 9001:2026 actually change? While the detailed content of the revision is still under wraps (committee drafts are confidential), we have credible insights from official reports and expert observations about the focus areas. The revision is driven by the need to address emerging business trends and improve certain aspects of the 2015 edition. In a report to ISO/TC 176, the committee noted that “adjustments to ISO 9001 are planned with regard to resilience, supply chain management, change management, sustainability, dealing with risks and organizational knowledge”. In other words, the new version will fine-tune the standard to ensure it remains relevant in today’s environment of rapid change, digital transformation, and heightened stakeholder expectations.

Major themes expected in ISO 9001:2026 include:

• Greater Emphasis on Leadership Ethics and Quality Culture: The revised standard will likely reinforce the role of top management in promoting an ethical culture and integrity in the organization. There is talk of embedding ethical conduct and “quality culture” responsibilities into leadership requirements. This means leaders will be expected to actively foster values, behaviors, and a culture that support quality objectives and trust. (This addition comes as organisations recognise that a culture of quality and ethics underpins effective QMS implementation.)

• Enhanced Focus on Risk Management: Building on ISO 9001:2015’s introduction of risk-based thinking, the 2026 revision is expected to go further in formalising risk management. Proactive risk identification, evaluation, and mitigation will receive stronger emphasis. Notably, some experts anticipate the standard will separate “risks” and “opportunities” into distinct concepts, providing clearer guidance on addressing each. This could result in more explicit requirements or sub-clauses for risk management processes, as well as ensuring that opportunity management gets adequate attention rather than being overshadowed by risk.

• Greater Stakeholder Engagement: ISO 9001 has always implicitly considered customers and regulatory requirements, but the new revision is poised to give broader stakeholder needs a higher profile. Expect requirements that drive organisations to consider feedback and expectations from interested parties such as customers, employees, suppliers, and the community when developing and reviewing their QMS. This might translate into more emphasis on understanding and communicating with stakeholders (building on clause 4.2 of the current standard), ensuring that their inputs are central to decision-making and improvement actions.

• Integration of Digital Transformation (Industry 4.0): The business world has changed significantly since 2015, with advances in technology like artificial intelligence, big data, IoT, and remote work. The ISO 9001:2026 revision is expected to recognise and integrate aspects of digital transformation and Industry 4.0 into quality management practices. While ISO 9001 will remain industry-agnostic and not overly prescriptive, it will likely encourage organisations to address how new technologies impact their QMS. This could include guidance on managing digital documentation, data quality, cyber risks (though info security is more an ISO 27001 domain, awareness of data integrity could appear), and leveraging technology for monitoring and measurement. The revision team explicitly listed “digitalisation” and remote/hybrid working as trends influencing the update, so the standard will adapt to ensure it stays relevant in an AI- and software-driven era.

• Increased Emphasis on Sustainability and Social Responsibility: In line with global trends, ISO 9001:2026 is expected to incorporate concepts of sustainable development and corporate responsibility. The committee has highlighted sustainability as one aspect to address. Practically, this might mean new or expanded guidance on considering environmental and social impacts of quality management. Organisations could be asked to show how their QMS supports sustainability objectives or corporate social responsibility (for example, by reducing waste, improving efficiency, or considering life-cycle impacts). The new standard may not duplicate ISO 14001 or ISO 45001, but it will likely acknowledge that quality cannot be completely isolated from broader ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) concerns. This aligns with stakeholder expectations that companies deliver quality in a responsible, sustainable manner.

• Resilience and Change Management: Post-pandemic, the importance of organisational resilience and effective change management has become clear. These topics are explicitly on the committee’s agenda. We can expect ISO 9001:2026 to encourage organisations to plan for continuity and adaptiveness – possibly through requirements or notes about business continuity planning, managing disruptions, and responding to change. Strengthening clause 6 (planning) or clause 7.1.4 (environment for operation) to factor in resilience is a possibility. In any case, the revised standard will push companies to build more robust QMS that can weather changes in context, supply chain shocks, and other risks.

• Organizational Knowledge and Competence: “Organisational knowledge” was a new requirement introduced in 2015 (clause 7.1.6). The revision will continue to stress knowledge management, ensuring organizations capture and utilize knowledge to maintain quality. There could be clarifications or enhancements to how knowledge is maintained, transferred, and updated (especially with an aging workforce and high staff turnover in many industries). Similarly, competence and awareness requirements might be updated to reflect new skill sets needed in a digital, quality-driven organisation.

• Harmonized Structure and Alignment with Other Standards: Structurally, ISO 9001:2026 will retain the high-level structure introduced in 2015. The core clauses (1 through 10) are expected to remain, but with updates to wording. ISO will update ISO 9001’s text to the latest harmonized management system structure (sometimes called the Harmonized Structure, replacing “Annex SL” High-Level Structure), to ensure consistency with newer standards. Editorial improvements will be made to align terminology and requirements with ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, and others where applicable. This means easier integration for organisations that are certified to multiple ISO standards. However, no fundamental restructuring of clauses is anticipated – the changes are evolutionary and meant to refine the standard, not overhaul it.

Overall, ISO 9001:2026 is being designed to keep the standard relevant and value-adding in the face of modern challenges. The changes above, while significant in focus, are generally viewed as enhancements or clarifications rather than an entirely new approach. Organisations already performing well under ISO 9001:2015’s principles (process approach, risk-based thinking, customer focus, etc.) should not see contradictory requirements – instead, they’ll see new opportunities to strengthen their systems in areas like digitalization, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement.

Expected Changes in IA9100 (Updated Aerospace Quality Standard)

The aerospace QMS standard (AS9100 series) will incorporate all the ISO 9001:2026 changes discussed above and add or modify requirements specific to aviation, space, and defense needs. The IAQG has provided some insight into key changes to expect in the upcoming IA9100 revision. A presentation titled “IA9100 Key Change Summary” (Nov 2023) outlined the main reasons and themes for the update:

• Expanded Product Safety Requirements: Product safety has always been a critical addition in aerospace QMS standards (AS9100 Rev D introduced clause 8.1.3 on product safety as a requirement). The new IA9100 will further expand on product safety, likely strengthening the requirements for hazard identification, risk assessments, and safety management throughout the product lifecycle. In the revision, notes and guidance about product safety may be upgraded to full requirements. For example, current note content might become normative text, ensuring organisations implement proactive safety risk management and not just treat it as guidance. This change means aerospace manufacturers and suppliers will need robust processes to ensure product safety from design through delivery, with clearer expectations set by the standard.

• Introduction of Information Security Requirements: In response to increasing cybersecurity threats in the aerospace sector, IA9100 is adding a new requirement for information security within the quality management system. Specifically, a new clause (expected to be clause 7.1.7) will require organisations to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of QMS-related information. This goes beyond the existing infrastructure requirements (clause 7.1.3 in AS9100D) by explicitly addressing cybersecurity controls and data protection in operations. Aerospace companies will need to implement policies and controls to protect sensitive information – for instance, plans to secure design data, customer specifications, and other digital QMS records from cyber attack or unauthorized access. This aligns with the broader industry push (and regulatory requirements) for stronger cybersecurity in the supply chain.

• Quality Culture and Ethical Behavior: Mirroring changes in ISO 9001 and specific aerospace industry feedback, IA9100 will place greater emphasis on organisational culture and ethics. The revised standard will highlight the role of leadership in creating an ethical work environment and a strong quality culture. This could manifest as additional wording in the Leadership clause (clause 5) about management’s duty to promote values like integrity, safety, and quality consciousness across the organization. It reinforces that simply having procedures is not enough – the company’s culture should encourage employees at all levels to uphold quality and ethical standards (e.g. reporting issues, following procedures even under pressure, etc.).

• Integration of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP): To improve product realization processes, the new IA9100 is incorporating APQP methodologies more directly. APQP, which is widely used in automotive and increasingly in aerospace, provides a structured approach to product development ensuring quality is built in from design through production. IA9100 will likely reference or require elements of APQP (such as risk-based project planning, stage gates, and cross-functional reviews) for new product introduction. The goal is to enhance reliability and quality of aerospace products by adopting these proactive planning techniques. Organizations might need to train teams on APQP tools (like Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, control plans, etc.) as part of meeting the new expectations.

• Strengthened Counterfeit Parts Prevention and Supplier Controls: The updated standard will push further in preventing counterfeit or unapproved parts from entering the aerospace supply chain. Controls for counterfeit parts avoidance will be expanded and made more stringent. This likely includes requirements for component authenticity verification, supplier validation, and training on counterfeit awareness. Additionally, sub-tier supplier management requirements are being enhanced. Aerospace companies will be expected to flow down requirements effectively and ensure tighter oversight of their suppliers and subcontractors. This could involve more explicit risk assessments for suppliers, requirements for critical materials, and ensuring timely communication of requirements and changes throughout the supply chain. Overall, these changes aim to plug any gaps that could allow suspect parts or quality escapes via suppliers.

• Climate Change and Sustainability Considerations: In line with global aerospace industry initiatives, IA9100 is also expected to acknowledge environmental sustainability and climate impact. Revisions will likely encourage or require organisations to address sustainability in their QMS, for example by controlling environmental risks in operations or considering the carbon footprint of processes. This is a newer focus for the aerospace standard, reflecting the industry’s growing commitment to reduce environmental impact (e.g. through improved efficiency, waste reduction, and considering end-of-life of products). While details are not fully known, companies might see new guidance or notes on integrating sustainability objectives without compromising quality and safety.

• Minor Structural and Clarification Updates: Importantly, the IAQG has indicated that the structure of the 9100 standard will remain consistent with the current format (aligned to ISO 9001’s clause structure). Most changes are additions or clarifications within existing clauses, not a reorganization. Many of the forthcoming updates are clarificatory in nature – e.g., additional notes or examples to better explain requirements, or elevating some notes to requirements for clarity. For instance, a note in clause 8.1.1 (Operational Risk Management) will be linked to the risks and opportunities in clause 6.1 to improve coherence. There may be a new note about process identification being an organisational decision (clarifying clause 4). Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) is expected to be mentioned in clause 7 (resources) to ensure accuracy of measurement equipment. Clause 9 (performance evaluation) may get a tweak to explicitly include risk-based thinking in internal audit planning. Clause 10 (improvement) could include a note encouraging periodic QMS maturity assessments for continual improvement. All these point to evolutionary changes rather than a radical overhaul. In summary, IA9100:2026 will have a familiar structure, but with important new requirements and enhanced expectations in the areas outlined above. Aerospace organisations will need to update their QMS documentation and processes to meet these changes, but if they are currently compliant with AS9100D and continually improving, the transition should be manageable. As one industry expert noted, after a major revision last time (2015/2016), this round is more about clarification and incremental improvement than another massive change.

Implications for Certified Organisations and Transition Timelines

Both the ISO 9001 and the aerospace (9100 series) communities are committed to a smooth transition for certified organizations. Here’s what to expect in terms of transitioning to the new standards and how to prepare:

Transition Period: Once ISO 9001:2026 is published, there will be a grace period for organisations to update their certifications, typically on the order of 3 years. In fact, it’s standard ISO/International Accreditation Forum (IAF) policy to allow about a three-year transition for major standard revisions. If the new ISO 9001 comes out in September 2026 as planned, companies certified to ISO 9001:2015 would likely have until around September 2029 to transition to ISO 9001:2026. Similarly, for IA9100, the IAQG has indicated that organisations will have three years from the release of the new standard to conform to the revised requirements before their AS9100 (IA9100) certificates become invalid. In other words, the existing AS9100:2016 (Rev D) certifications will remain valid during a transition window (expected through 2029) in which companies can upgrade to IA9100. This generous timeline means there is no need to panic or rush – but companies should not be complacent either.

Impact on Current Certifications: During the transition period, certification bodies will typically allow audits to either the old or new standard. For example, in late 2026 and 2027, a surveillance or recertification audit could be conducted to ISO 9001:2015 or ISO 9001:2026 – but as the deadline approaches, all organisations must undergo an audit to the new standard to maintain certification. Accreditation forums and IAQG will announce hard cut-off dates. Based on previous transitions, we can expect that after the transition deadline (e.g. by late 2029), all ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100:2016 certificates will expire and only ISO 9001:2026 / IA9100 certificates will be recognised. Organisations in highly regulated industries (like aerospace) should also be mindful of customer requirements – many aerospace OEMs may encourage suppliers to transition early rather than waiting until the last minute.

Strategic Preparation Recommendations: Forward-thinking organisations should use the lead time before and during the transition to proactively adapt. Here are key steps to consider:

• Stay Informed: Keep up with official communications from ISO, the IAQG, and reputable certification bodies about the revision progress. New information (such as the Draft International Standard contents or formal transition guidance) will be released through ISO newsletters, IAQG bulletins, and national standards bodies. For instance, ISO committee updates in 2024–2025 have been giving clues to the changes, and certification bodies like TÜV, BSI, DNV, etc., are publishing advisories – subscribing to these updates ensures you won’t be caught by surprise.

• Perform a Gap Analysis: Once the draft standards become available (e.g., the DIS for ISO 9001:2026, which is expected in 2025), conduct a thorough gap analysis of your current QMS against the new requirements. Identify what new elements you will need to add or what processes need enhancement. Even before the drafts, you can infer likely gaps from the known focus areas. For example, check your current system’s coverage of areas like organisational knowledge, supply chain risk management, or change management – are there processes in place and are they effective? For aerospace companies, evaluate your processes for information security, product safety, and counterfeit parts control against the forthcoming expectations. Early identification of gaps will help in creating an action plan and budgeting for the transition (for training, new tools, etc.).

• Strengthen Key Areas Now: Use the revision as an impetus to improve your QMS in areas that are almost certain to be emphasised. For instance, bolster your risk management practices now – ensure you have a robust risk assessment process, and consider separating how you handle opportunities (so you’re ready if the standard asks for it). Enhance stakeholder feedback mechanisms, such as getting more systematic customer satisfaction data or worker input on quality issues, since stakeholder focus is growing. If you haven’t already, start integrating digital tools and data analysis into your QMS (e.g., use software for monitoring process performance, consider how AI or analytics might improve your quality processes) because the business world’s digital shift is reflected in the new standard. For aerospace firms, it’s wise to tighten cybersecurity controls and IT asset management ahead of time, as the new IA9100 will mandate information security measures. Also consider refreshing your product safety risk assessments and supplier quality agreements in anticipation of stricter requirements. By addressing these areas early, you not only ease your eventual transition but likely reap immediate benefits in your quality performance.

• Train and Engage Your Team: Begin raising awareness within your organisation about the coming changes. Top management should be briefed on the anticipated new requirements for leadership involvement, ethical culture, and stakeholder focus, so they are prepared to demonstrate compliance when the time comes. Quality managers and internal auditors should stay abreast of draft changes and perhaps pursue training on ISO 9001:2026 transition (many consultants and training bodies will offer courses as the publication nears). Consider sending key team members to webinars or briefings on the revision. Broadly, foster a mindset of agility and improvement in your workforce – encourage teams to embrace changes as opportunities to improve the QMS. Emphasise that fundamentals of the QMS (the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, customer focus, etc.) remain the same, so no one is intimidated, but highlight new emphasis areas like quality culture or data security so that people start incorporating those considerations into daily practice. Engaging people early will make the eventual implementation much smoother.

• Update Documentation and Processes Systematically: Once the standards are published (or you have enough information from final drafts), update your quality manual, procedures, and work instructions to reflect the new requirements. It’s often helpful to create a cross-reference of old vs. new clauses and document what changes are needed for each. Don’t just make it a paperwork exercise – use it as a chance to streamline and improve the effectiveness of your QMS. Remove any obsolete references (for example, if ISO 9001:2026 clarifies something that allows you to simplify a procedure, do so). For aerospace, incorporate the new IA9100 additions: e.g., create an Information Security policy for QMS if you don’t have one, expand your training programs to cover ethical behavior and counterfeit part awareness, etc. Many organizations choose to implement the new requirements well before the deadline so that by the time of their transition audit, they have several months of records and experience with the new processes.

• Work With Your Certification Body: Early in the transition period, talk to your certification body or registrar about their plans. They will provide transition guidelines and can schedule your audit to the new standard at an appropriate time. Some may offer pre-assessment audits or gap assessments to help you gauge readiness (for example, TÜV SÜD offers pre-audit assessments to compare your system against the upcoming standard). Take advantage of these if you need an external perspective. Also, plan whether you will transition during a regular surveillance audit or at a recertification audit – there are often efficiencies in aligning the transition with your recert cycle. Certification bodies will likely stop conducting audits to the old standards several months before the final deadline, so have a timeline for when you want to achieve certification to ISO 9001:2026/IA9100.

Certified organisations should view the ISO 9001:2026 and IA9100 updates as an opportunity to refresh and strengthen their quality management systems. With a projected three-year transition window and abundant information available from ISO, IAQG, and industry experts, companies that start preparing now can smoothly adapt to the new requirements. By focusing on the strategic themes of the revisions – from digitalization and risk management to ethical leadership and supply chain quality – your organization can not only ensure continued certification but also derive greater value from its QMS, keeping it in line with best practices and stakeholder expectations in the modern quality landscape.

: Both ISO 9001:2026 and the aerospace IA9100 standard promise to elevate quality management practices to meet contemporary challenges. The official timelines point to releases in 2026, giving organisations time to plan ahead. Expect refinements rather than revolution – the core principles of quality management remain, but new emphasis on areas like risk, culture, technology, and safety will drive improvements. For companies already certified, the key is to stay informed and begin bridging any gaps now. Those that proactively embrace the coming changes will find themselves not only compliant when the deadlines arrive, but also more resilient and competitive in delivering quality to their customers in the years ahead.