The key anticipated changes in ISO 9001:2026 include:

• Integration of Emerging Technologies:

  • Addressing the impact of digitisation and artificial intelligence on quality management.

• Customer Experience:

  • Expanding the concept of customer satisfaction to encompass the entire customer experience.

• Quality Assurance Focus:

  • Renewed emphasis on quality assurance practices to meet evolving industry standards.

• Service Requirements:

  • Strengthening requirements for service providers to ensure consistent quality across different sectors.

• Ethics and Integrity:

  • Incorporating principles of ethics and integrity into quality management systems.

     

Key Changes Expected in ISO 9001:2026

The upcoming revision aims to address modern challenges in quality management, technological advancements, and evolving business landscapes. Anticipated updates include:

• Enhanced Risk-Based Thinking: A stronger emphasis on proactive risk management, including identifying, mitigating, and adapting to emerging threats.

• Digital Transformation Integration: Incorporation of digital technologies, such as AI and data analytics, to enhance decision-making and process efficiency.

• Sustainability and Social Responsibility: Reinforcement of sustainability and corporate social responsibility principles, encouraging organisations to integrate environmental performance indicators into their quality management processes.

• Improved Alignment with Other Standards: Better integration with other ISO standards, such as ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, to simplify application and avoid redundant requirements.

Transition Timeline

Organisations will have a three-year transition period to adapt to the new standard once it is published. This allows businesses ample time to understand the new requirements, assess their current systems, and make the necessary adjustments to achieve compliance.

Preparing for the Transition

To prepare for ISO 9001:2026, organisations should consider the following steps:

• Stay Informed: Keep up with updates and understand the new requirements by following official ISO communications and updates from certification bodies.

• Conduct a Gap Analysis: Compare the current QMS to anticipated revisions to identify improvement areas.

• Training and Awareness: Educate staff on the upcoming changes and their role in implementation.

• Update Documentation: Begin revising QMS documentation to align with expected changes.

• Engage Stakeholders: Involve relevant parties in the transition process to ensure a smooth implementation.

By proactively preparing for these changes, organisations can ensure a seamless transition to ISO 9001:2026 and maintain their commitment to quality management excellence.

Recommendations for Organisations Preparing for ISO 9001:2026

Executives and quality managers should begin laying the groundwork now for a successful transition. Being proactive will not only ensure continued certification but also improve your quality management effectiveness in line with the latest best practices. Below are actionable steps and best practices to prepare your organisation:

• Stay Informed and Engage Early: Keep track of ISO 9001:2026 development updates from official ISO sources (e.g. ISO/TC 176 communications) and reputable industry experts. Awareness is key – consider subscribing to newsletters or alerts from ISO or certification bodies. Engage your organisation’s leadership early by briefing them on upcoming changes and garnering their support for the transition. Early executive buy-in ensures that adequate resources (budget, personnel, time) will be allocated for updating the QMS.

• Conduct a Gap Analysis: Perform a thorough gap analysis of your current Quality Management System against the anticipated new requirements. This review will identify where your existing processes, documentation, or performance might not meet the revised standard. For example, assess whether your risk management process, sustainability initiatives, or documentation controls align with the expected changes. Many organisations choose to do an initial gap analysis as soon as the DIS is published (mid-2025) to get a clearer picture of the gaps. Use the findings to create an action plan addressing each gap area. (Tip: If internal resources are limited, engage a consultant or your certification partner to assist with a pre-assessment of your system.

• Update Documentation and Processes: Plan to update your QMS documentation to reflect new or changed requirements. This includes the Quality Manual, procedures, work instructions, and forms. For instance, if new clauses emphasise quality culture or supplier management, ensure those processes are documented and implemented in your system. Keep documentation lean and user-friendly – the revision aims for clarity, so take this opportunity to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy while meeting the new criteria. By revising documents early (even in draft form) to align with ISO 9001:2026, your organisation will be ready to operationalise changes as soon as the standard is released.

• Strengthen Training and Awareness: Invest in training programs to educate relevant personnel on the upcoming ISO 9001 changes. Different levels of the organisation will need different messaging:

  • Top Management: Ensure executives understand their expanded role in fostering quality culture and sustainability. Training or workshops can help leadership integrate these concepts into strategic planning and company values.

  • Quality Team and Internal Auditors: Provide detailed training on new requirements (e.g. climate risk, software validation, etc.) so they can effectively update the QMS and audit against the new standard. Updated internal auditor training should cover the ISO 9001:2026 clauses and any new audit practices required.

  • All Employees: Raise overall awareness through internal communications. Emphasize that the core purpose (consistent quality and customer satisfaction) remains, but highlight new focus areas (like ethics, risk, digital tools) that everyone should be mindful of in their work. Engaging staff early fosters a smooth adoption when new procedures roll out.

• Perform Internal Audits and Mock Assessments: Leverage your internal audit program to gauge readiness for ISO 9001:2026. Schedule special internal audits or “mock transition audits” focusing on the new or changed requirements. These audits will reveal how well current practices meet the forthcoming standard and whether additional improvements are needed. For example, audit how your organisation currently handles risk assessment, or whether climate-related issues have been considered in context analysis. Treat findings as opportunities to improve before the formal external transition audit. Many organisations find it beneficial to do a trial run (or even a third-party gap assessment) well ahead of their official upgrade audit.

• Engage Stakeholders: Quality management does not operate in a vacuum – it involves stakeholders across and even outside the organisation. Communicate with key stakeholders about the coming changes and your transition plans. This includes:

  • Employees: Solicit feedback and involve them in improvements (they often know process pain points that relate to new focus areas, like inefficient documentation systems that could be digitised).

  • Customers: If relevant, reassure major clients that you are actively preparing for the new standard and maintaining high quality during the transition. Some customers may be interested in how the new emphases (e.g. sustainability or data security in quality processes) are being addressed.

  • Suppliers/Partners: Since supply chain quality and resilience are highlighted in ISO 9001:2026, work with your critical suppliers to ensure they too are aware and capable of meeting any new expectations (for example, ethical sourcing or consistent product quality). Strong supplier quality agreements and communication will support compliance with the updated standard.

  • Certification Body: Keep an open line of communication with your certification body. They can provide guidance, transition training, and share any specific requirements for upgrading your certificate. Many certifiers are offering webinars and white papers on ISO 9001:2026 – these can be valuable resources for your team.

• Integrate with Other Management Systems: If your company is also certified to other ISO standards (such as ISO 14001 for Environmental Management or ISO 45001 for Health & Safety), plan an integrated approach to the transition. The revised ISO 9001 will be closely aligned with these standards’ structures, making integration easier. Take advantage of this by updating common processes (like document control, internal audits, management review) to satisfy multiple standards simultaneously. An integrated management system not only reduces duplication of effort but also gives top management a holistic view of business performance. For executives, aligning quality, environmental, and safety objectives can drive consistent strategy and simplify compliance reporting. In practical terms, consider running joint transition projects or trainings covering all applicable standards’ updates in one program.

• Leverage Technology and Innovation: The forthcoming changes encourage organizations to modernise their quality management practices – this is an opportunity to invest in technology that enhances quality performance. Consider implementing or upgrading to digital QMS platforms for document management, automated workflow tracking, and data analytics. Ensure measurement devices and software are capable and validated as required. Explore how emerging technologies (e.g. AI for data analysis, IoT for real-time monitoring) could be incorporated to meet new guidelines and improve efficiency. By aligning tech investments with the ISO 9001:2026 framework, companies can achieve better data-driven decision making and agility in their quality processes. Executives should treat this alignment as both a compliance exercise and a strategic improvement initiative – modern tools can unlock insights into operations that drive business excellence beyond just meeting the standard.

• Cultivate Continuous Improvement and Adaptability: Finally, reinforce a culture of continuous improvement in your organisation. ISO 9001:2026 will continue to stress the importance of ongoing improvement in effectiveness and performance. Encourage teams to use the transition period to not only change what is necessary for compliance, but to seek opportunities to optimise processes and innovate. This mindset will make adopting the new requirements smoother and yield business benefits. For example, if sustainability is a new focus, perhaps set internal goals for waste reduction or energy efficiency that go hand-in-hand with quality objectives. If risk management is enhanced, use it to drive proactive initiatives (like business continuity planning) that protect the company’s interests. By viewing the ISO 9001:2026 update as a catalyst for improvement, leadership can inspire the organisation to emerge stronger and more competitive.

The ISO 9001:2026 revision represents an evolution in quality management – not a radical departure, but a strategic update to ensure organisations can thrive in a changing world. The standard’s core principles (customer focus, process approach, continuous improvement, etc.) remain intact, but new dimensions like digital quality, ethical leadership, and sustainability are being woven into the fabric of quality management. For executive teams, this change is a timely opportunity to future-proof your management system. By anticipating the changes and mobilising early, you will safeguard your certification and unlock improvements that align with broader business excellence goals.

Key message: Don’t wait. Treat the run-up to ISO 9001:2026 as a project aligning quality with your organisation’s strategy for the next decade. With proper planning – supported by gap analysis, training, stakeholder engagement, and integration efforts – your company can achieve a seamless transition. More importantly, you can leverage the updated ISO 9001 to boost stakeholder confidence, drive operational resilience, and reinforce a culture of quality that delivers value to customers and shareholders alike. As always, quality management is not just about compliance, but about performance; the 2026 revision is a chance to reaffirm that connection in the context of modern challenges and opportunities