The ISO 9001 standard is getting closer to undergoing a series of major updates in 2026. This Quality Management standard will receive a significant overhaul, making it essential to understand what to expect from this upcoming revision.
Looking back at the 2015 version.
The 2015 version of the standard has long been the global foundation for all quality and management systems for nearly a decade, allowing organizations to create, implement, and maintain these systems efficiently, regardless of the company’s size or nature.
This standard has become a necessity to compete in today’s market, as its structure contains everything required to ensure that organizations can leverage all its advantages and features when implementing a management system. Since the global adoption of this version of the standard, companies have experienced a wide range of benefits, such as:
- Enhances corporate image and credibility.
- Ensures customer satisfaction.
- Builds a stable workplace culture.
- Improves decision-making.
The Arrival of 2026
With 2026 just around the corner, more information has been revealed about what we can expect in this new version of the standard, scheduled for release in September 2026.
What will these changes entail?
These upcoming updates involve significant changes that will impact both processes and responsibilities related to quality and management systems. Specifically, we can expect major and varied changes concerning risk analysis, sustainability, and organizational culture.
It is important to highlight that these changes have already been announced as mandatory, making it necessary for both companies and organizations to prepare in advance to manage these changes and update processes.
These changes will affect the following sectors:
- Companies already certified under the current ISO 9001.
- Organizations in the process of certification.
- Quality managers, internal auditors, and consultants.
- Management and continuous improvement teams.
Background and Timeline
- The DIS (Draft International Standard) review process was completed on August 27, 2025.
- The publication of the final draft (FDIS) is expected in early 2026.
- It is planned that all organizations will have a three-year transition period from the 2015 version to the 2026 version.
Goals
With the update of the standard, the ultimate goal is expected to be that all organizations apply it consistently, in order to provide services that enhance customer satisfaction and, even more importantly, enable organizations to adapt to changes, allowing them to make agile adjustments and strategic decisions.
Potential Updates
Although the final draft of this new version of the standard has not yet been published, several hints have already been provided regarding the key areas that will be affected by this update.
Among the key areas, we have:
- Risk Management and Resilience:
- A reinforcement of the proactive risk management approach and the capacity to adapt to changes is expected, ensuring operational continuity.
- Sustainability and Social Responsibility:
- Integration of environmental and social aspects into business processes is expected, reflecting the growing global sustainability needs.
- Change Management:
- Guidelines are expected to be drafted in greater detail on how to implement and manage changes.
- Organizational Knowledge:
- Greater attention to the management and valuation of internal knowledge is anticipated, recognizing know-how as a key asset for innovation and competitiveness.
- Leadership and Quality Culture:
- Reinforcement demonstrating a culture of quality with ethical conduct from management is expected.
- Risks and Opportunities:
- Rewriting is expected to improve clarity regarding clauses on business risks and opportunities when designing management systems.
- Digital Transformation and Emerging Technology:
- Integration of digital tools such as AI, automation, and data analysis into ISO 9001 regulations is expected when creating management systems.
- Organizational Culture and Ethics:
- Clearer guidance is expected regarding workplace culture and ethics within the hierarchy of management systems.
Prepare for change.
We know that change is a difficult and time-consuming process. But there are several things we can do to be ready. The first thing to know is that ISO 9001:2015 is still in effect, and therefore, a gap analysis is recommended. This will allow you to identify your shortcomings and what areas you will need to address in your system with the current model.
Likewise, this analysis will allow you, as a company, to anticipate the level of impact that will occur on your management processes and thus create a contingency plan that covers this entire period of change. These plans can range from preparing your staff with training courses to collaborating with specialists who implement efficiency measures during the transition.
Learn More
Want to learn more about what to expect? We recommend watching the following video:
