ISO 9001:2026 – The New Edition of the World’s Most Widely Used Quality Management Standard

On 16 September 2026, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) officially published the sixth edition of ISO 9001 – ISO 9001:2026, Quality management systems – Requirements.

Following more than a decade of development, international consultation and the work of experts from numerous countries, the new edition of the world’s most widely used international standard for quality management systems has now been published. ISO states that ISO 9001 is used by more than one million organisations in 189 countries worldwide.

The new edition replaces ISO 9001:2015 and represents an evolution rather than a complete transformation of the established approach to quality management. The fundamental principles that have underpinned ISO 9001 for decades remain in place, while a number of requirements have been further clarified and adapted to the realities of today’s business environment.

What does ISO 9001:2026 bring?

ISO 9001:2026 places greater emphasis on areas that are increasingly important to effective organisational management, including leadership, quality culture, ethical behaviour, the management of risks and opportunities, strategic decision-making and the organisation’s ability to respond and adapt to change.

One of the important developments is the clearer distinction between risks and opportunities. This provides organisations with a stronger framework not only to prevent undesirable outcomes, but also to systematically identify and take advantage of opportunities that can contribute to achieving intended results and improving organisational performance.

Particular attention is also given to quality culture and the human factor. ISO 9001:2026 recognises that an effective quality management system is not simply a collection of procedures, documents and processes. It is a system in which people understand the importance of quality, their responsibilities, and how their work contributes to the organisation’s results.

The new edition also provides additional clarification through a revised Annex A, intended to help users better understand the intent of selected requirements and apply them more consistently across different organisational and business contexts.

What remains unchanged?

Although ISO 9001:2026 introduces important clarifications and new areas of emphasis, it does not abandon the fundamental philosophy of quality management.

Customer focus, the process approach, risk- and opportunity-based thinking, evidence-based decision-making and continual improvement remain key elements of the quality management system.

ISO has also retained the Harmonized Structure, facilitating the integration of ISO 9001:2026 with other management system standards, including standards for environmental management, information security, energy management, occupational health and safety, and other areas.

What does ISO 9001:2026 mean for organisations certified to ISO 9001:2015?

For organisations that already have an established and functioning quality management system, the new edition does not mean that they need to “start from scratch”.

On the contrary, organisations should build on their existing systems and processes, retain what is effective, and make targeted changes where necessary to align with the requirements of the new edition.

Organisations certified to ISO 9001:2015 should familiarise themselves with the new requirements in good time and, together with their certification body, plan an appropriate transition process. ISO specifically advises certified organisations to contact their certification body for information regarding the transition arrangements.

The transition to ISO 9001:2026 should therefore not be viewed merely as an administrative replacement of one certificate with another. It can provide an opportunity for an organisation to reassess how effectively its quality management system supports strategy, leadership, quality culture, the management of risks and opportunities, decision-making and continual improvement of organisational performance.

ISO 9001 enters a new era of quality management

The publication of the sixth edition of ISO 9001 represents an important milestone for the international quality community.

After almost four decades of implementation, ISO 9001 remains one of the world’s most recognised frameworks for systematic quality management. At the same time, its focus is increasingly connected with an organisation’s actual ability to create value, manage change and maintain the long-term confidence of interested parties.

For organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and across the wider region, this represents both a challenge and an opportunity.

ISO 9001:2026 does not simply ask whether an organisation has a management system. The more important question is how effectively that system actually manages the organisation.

Understanding this distinction will be one of the key elements of a successful transition from ISO 9001:2015 to ISO 9001:2026.

ICS – Supporting Organisations in the Transition to ISO 9001:2026

As an independent certification body for management systems, ICS d.o.o. Sarajevo closely follows the development and implementation of international standards. In the coming period, particular attention will be given to supporting organisations in their transition to ISO 9001:2026.

We encourage organisations to begin reviewing their existing quality management systems in good time, identify areas requiring adjustment, and plan the transition as an integral part of the continual improvement of their management systems.

Knowledge. Integrity. Excellence.

Source: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 16 September 2026.