ISO 9001:2026 – The New Generation of Quality Management Is Coming

September 2026 is set to mark an important milestone for organisations around the world that rely on quality management systems.

More than a decade after the publication of ISO 9001:2015, the international quality community is entering a new phase in the development of the world's best-known quality management standard.

According to the latest information published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the new edition, ISO 9001:2026 – Quality management systems – Requirements, is expected to be published in September 2026 and will replace ISO 9001:2015. The current ISO/FDIS 9001 represents the final draft of the forthcoming edition and has been submitted for approval.

More Than a Revision – A Step Towards Modern Management

For decades, ISO 9001 has provided a globally recognised framework for organisations seeking to systematically manage and improve the quality of their products, services and processes.

However, the business environment of today is very different from that of 2015.

Digitalisation, emerging technologies, increasingly complex supply chains, changing customer expectations, greater demands from interested parties and the growing importance of organisational resilience have fundamentally changed the way organisations operate.

A quality management system can no longer be viewed simply as a collection of procedures and documented information.

ISO 9001:2026 should therefore be understood as an opportunity to strengthen quality management and align it more closely with the realities of modern organisations.

The forthcoming edition is intended to respond more effectively to contemporary business needs and stakeholder expectations while maintaining the established principles and structure of ISO 9001.

What Can Organisations Expect from ISO 9001:2026?

While the final published standard will provide the definitive basis for assessing all changes, organisations should already be preparing to review their existing quality management systems.

Particular attention should be given to:

• leadership and the responsibilities of top management;

• the development of a culture of quality within the organisation;

• risks and opportunities and their integration into organisational decision-making;

• a clearer understanding and application of the requirements of the standard;

• the relationship between the management system and actual business performance;

• the needs and expectations of interested parties;

• the integration of ISO 9001 with other management system standards.

The new edition is not intended to abandon the fundamental philosophy of ISO 9001. Rather, it represents an evolution of the existing framework, with the aim of making it clearer, more relevant and more valuable to organisations operating in today's complex environment.

What Does ISO 9001:2026 Mean for Organisations Already Certified to ISO 9001:2015?

The publication of the new edition does not mean that organisations currently certified to ISO 9001:2015 must immediately redesign their entire quality management system.

A transition period will apply, allowing certified organisations time to assess the changes, address any gaps and transition to the new edition in an orderly manner.

Nevertheless, waiting until the end of the transition period is unlikely to be the most effective strategy.

Organisations that begin reviewing their systems early will have more time to understand the new requirements, identify areas requiring attention and implement changes without unnecessary disruption to their operations.

Our recommendation is therefore simple: do not wait for the transition deadline – start preparing now.

ISO 9001:2026 as an Opportunity – Not Simply Another Requirement

Every revision of an international standard can be viewed in two different ways.

One approach is to regard the changes simply as additional requirements that must be fulfilled in order to maintain certification.

A more strategic approach is to use the revision as an opportunity to reconsider how the organisation is managed and how effectively its quality management system supports its objectives.

ISO 9001:2026 can provide an excellent opportunity for organisations to ask themselves some fundamental questions:

Does our quality management system genuinely support our business strategy?

Do our processes consistently create value for customers and other interested parties?

Does top management use the management system as a genuine tool for decision-making?

Is quality embedded in our organisational culture, or is it primarily reflected in documented procedures?

These questions go to the heart of what an effective quality management system should achieve.

What Should Organisations Do Now?

As the publication of ISO 9001:2026 approaches, organisations should consider taking the following steps:

1. Become Familiar with the New Edition

The first step is to understand what is changing and, equally importantly, what remains unchanged.

Organisations should avoid making assumptions based solely on informal interpretations or summaries and should work from the officially published requirements once the new edition becomes available.

2. Conduct a Gap Analysis

A structured gap analysis can help determine where the existing ISO 9001:2015 quality management system differs from the requirements of the new edition.

This provides management with a clear basis for planning the necessary transition activities.

3. Review the Organisation's Context and Interested Parties

Organisations should reassess whether their current understanding of their internal and external context, as well as the needs and expectations of interested parties, remains appropriate.

4. Review Risks and Opportunities

Risk-based thinking should be connected with actual organisational decision-making and business objectives rather than being treated merely as a documentation exercise.

5. Engage Top Management

Transition to a new edition should not be regarded solely as the responsibility of the quality manager or management system coordinator.

Successful transition requires the active involvement and commitment of top management.

6. Develop a Transition Plan

Organisations should establish a clear transition plan defining activities, responsibilities, priorities and appropriate timescales.

A structured approach will help minimise disruption and ensure that the transition is controlled and effective.

The Role of ICS in the Transition to ISO 9001:2026

As a certification body, ICS Sarajevo is closely monitoring the development and publication of the new edition of ISO 9001 and will provide organisations with relevant information concerning the transition process within the scope of its responsibilities.

Our role is not simply to determine whether a management system meets the requirements of a standard.

The purpose of credible certification is to provide confidence that an organisation has implemented an effective management system capable of supporting quality, continual improvement, trust and sustainable business performance.

In the coming period, ICS will publish further information on ISO 9001:2026, including an overview of the key changes, recommendations for organisational preparation, transition considerations and information concerning audits against the new edition.

The Time to Prepare Is Now

ISO 9001 has evolved into much more than a standard concerned with quality control.

It provides an internationally recognised framework for managing processes, responsibilities, risks, improvement and the creation of value for customers and interested parties.

The forthcoming ISO 9001:2026 edition is intended to ensure that this framework remains relevant to the realities of modern organisations.

The key question for organisations should therefore not simply be:

“When do we have to transition to ISO 9001:2026?”

The more important question is:

“How can we use ISO 9001:2026 to make our quality management system more effective, more resilient and more valuable to our organisation?”

ICS Sarajevo – Your Partner in Understanding and Applying International Standards

We will continue to follow the official developments concerning ISO 9001:2026 and provide timely information to our clients, certified organisations and business partners.

Prepare early. Understand the changes. Turn transition into an opportunity for improvement.

Note: The final requirements, transition arrangements and applicable deadlines should be determined on the basis of the officially published ISO 9001:2026 and the relevant rules applicable to certification bodies following its publication. ISO currently indicates September 2026 as the expected publication date for the new edition.