ISO 9001:2026 is scheduled for publication in September 2026. As of August 2026, ISO lists the sixth edition of ISO 9001 as “under publication.” ISO has confirmed the publication month but has not announced a specific release day.
The new edition will replace ISO 9001:2015, the current international standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). Until ISO 9001:2026 is formally published, organisations should continue using ISO 9001:2015 as the applicable edition.
Risk Professionals supports organisations and quality professionals with ISO 9001 training, implementation resources and QMS guidance when preparing for changes to the standard.
What Is the Current Status of ISO 9001:2026?
ISO 9001:2026 has reached the final publication stage of the ISO standards-development process.
The revision progressed through the Draft International Standard (DIS) and Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) stages before entering publication. The official ISO page currently identifies the standard as being under publication, with September 2026 shown as the expected release month.
This means the technical development process is substantially complete. Organisations should nevertheless wait for the final published standard before making definitive changes based on draft wording.
Why Is ISO 9001 Being Revised in 2026?
ISO 9001 is being revised to keep the Quality Management System standard relevant to changing business, stakeholder and quality-management expectations.
ISO 9001:2015 has been used globally for more than a decade. The 2026 revision is expected to refine the existing framework rather than completely redesign the standard.
The familiar management-system structure is expected to remain, while several requirements and explanatory areas receive greater clarity.
Professionals who want to understand the existing framework before the new edition arrives can review the ISO 9001 requirements and compare them with the final 2026 requirements after publication.
What Changes Are Expected in ISO 9001:2026?
ISO 9001:2026 is expected to introduce targeted improvements rather than a complete restructuring of the QMS.
Based on the revision process, important areas include:
- Quality culture and ethical behaviour with stronger leadership emphasis.
- Risks and opportunities with clearer treatment within QMS planning.
- Leadership and strategic alignment between quality policy and organisational direction.
- Employee awareness relating to quality culture and ethical behaviour.
- Climate change considerations incorporated from the 2024 amendment.
Organisations should use the final published text as the authoritative source because wording can change during standards development.
How Will Risk-Based Thinking Change in ISO 9001:2026?
ISO 9001:2026 is expected to clarify how organisations address risks and opportunities rather than introduce a separate risk-management system.
Quality teams may need to demonstrate a clearer relationship between organisational context, identified risks or opportunities, planned actions and performance results.
A practical relationship is:
business context → risk or opportunity → planned action → responsible owner → evidence of effectiveness.
This clarification can help quality managers and auditors apply risk-based thinking more consistently across QMS processes.
Does ISO 9001:2026 Include AI Requirements?
ISO 9001:2026 is not expected to introduce separate prescriptive requirements specifically for artificial intelligence.
ISO 9001 remains technology-neutral. Organisations using AI, automation or digital platforms should evaluate these technologies where they affect QMS processes, customer requirements, operational controls, risks or performance.
For example, an organisation using AI for customer service may need to evaluate output accuracy, process controls and potential risks within its existing QMS framework.
When Will Organisations Need to Transition to ISO 9001:2026?
Organisations certified to ISO 9001:2015 will receive a transition period after ISO 9001:2026 is published.
A transition period of approximately 3 years has been widely anticipated, which could place the transition endpoint around September 2029. However, organisations should not treat that date as final until official transition arrangements are confirmed by relevant accreditation and certification bodies.
The important dates are therefore:
- September 2026: expected publication of ISO 9001:2026.
- Transition deadline: to be confirmed through official transition guidance.
Existing ISO 9001:2015 certificates will not automatically become invalid on the publication date.
Should You Wait for ISO 9001:2026 Before Getting Certified?
No. Organisations that need ISO 9001 certification now generally do not need to delay implementation until the 2026 edition is released.
ISO 9001:2015 remains the current published standard. Organisations can establish core QMS processes now and perform a gap analysis after ISO 9001:2026 becomes available.
An ISO 9001 Document Kit can provide a structured starting point for policies, procedures and QMS records. Documents should reflect actual organisational processes and be updated where the final 2026 requirements require changes.
How Should Organisations Prepare for ISO 9001:2026?
Organisations should review their existing QMS now but wait for the final standard before making major revision-specific changes.
Preparation can follow 3 steps:
- Review the current QMS, including leadership, quality culture, risks, opportunities and employee awareness.
- Conduct a gap analysis when the final ISO 9001:2026 standard is published.
- Update processes, documentation, training and internal audits before the confirmed transition deadline.
Quality teams should focus on strengthening their existing management system rather than attempting to predict every final requirement.
How Can Risk Professionals Support the ISO 9001:2026 Transition?
Risk Professionals can support quality professionals and organisations through ISO 9001 training, implementation resources and QMS certification preparation.
Professionals preparing for implementation responsibilities can explore ISO 9001 training courses according to their role and experience.
The PECB ISO 9001 Lead Implementer course is relevant to professionals responsible for establishing and improving a QMS, while the PECB ISO 9001 Lead Auditor course supports professionals responsible for auditing and conformity assessment.
When Will ISO 9001:2026 Be Published?
ISO 9001:2026 is scheduled for release in September 2026, although ISO has not yet confirmed a specific publication day.
Organisations should continue working with ISO 9001:2015 until the new edition is formally published. The best preparation is to maintain an effective QMS, monitor official transition guidance and conduct a focused gap analysis against the final ISO 9001:2026 requirements.
Risk Professionals can support this transition through ISO 9001 training, implementation resources and quality-management guidance.
