London, 16 September 2026 – A new edition of the world’s most widely used framework for building and maintaining quality-driven organizations has been published by BSI, the UK's national standards body, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
BS EN ISO 9001: 2026 Quality management systems – Requirements is the standard’s first revision in more than a decade. With nearly 1.5 million certifications to ISO 9001 worldwide covering 2.3 million sites across a range of industries, BS EN ISO 9001 has a proven track record of helping organizations of every size build trust and compete across increasingly complex and interconnected global supply chains. Adoption of the standard supports market entry and helps businesses improve the quality and consistency of their products and services by putting clear processes and continuous improvement at the heart of operations. The standard can help organizations work more efficiently, reduce waste, make better use of resources, increase customer satisfaction and build greater trust with customers and stakeholders.
The updated standard reflects how international trade is changing, and aims to help organizations strengthen resilience, meet evolving customer expectations and deliver consistent value across increasingly interconnected global markets.
BS EN ISO 9001 is rooted in the original British standard for quality management, first published by BSI in 1979, which was adopted internationally by ISO in 1987 to become BS EN ISO 9001. Almost 40 years on, it has grown into the world's most widely used quality framework, providing a common language that enables organizations to trade with confidence in international markets, regardless of sector or size.
The 2026 edition responds to today’s complex operating environment, placing greater emphasis on leadership, quality culture and ethical behaviour, and providing greater clarity on how to consider risks and opportunities to support better strategic decision-making. The goal is to help organizations build trust with customers and trading partners worldwide.
An updated Annex A helps users better understand the intent of the requirements and apply them consistently across regions and cultures, while adoption of the latest Harmonized Structure for ISO management system standards simplifies integration with other management system standards, supporting more efficient, integrated management systems.
BS EN ISO 9001 is used across almost every sector of the global economy, from manufacturers and technology companies to hospitals, universities, governments, financial institutions and small businesses. Its widespread adoption reflects the standard’s practical value in helping organizations consistently deliver products and services that meet customer and stakeholder expectations.
Susan Taylor Martin, Chief Executive, BSI, said: “Organizations worldwide look to BS EN ISO 9001 to ensure their operations and activities have quality at the core. This essential standard of best practice helps businesses both improve their productivity and power their growth.
“In our interconnected world with complex global supply chains, a consistent approach that improves quality has never been more critical. The latest update to BS EN ISO 9001 is a testament to continued world-wide collaboration, ensuring the standard remains relevant and fit for purpose.
“We're proud that BSI has helped drive quality management from a British standard, almost 40 years ago, into the world's most widely used framework for quality we see today.”
Sergio Mujica, Secretary-General, ISO, said: “I am delighted today to announce publication of the new edition of ISO 9001, a milestone that reflects both the enduring strength of this International Standard and its ability to evolve alongside the needs of organizations worldwide.
“Today's business environment demands even greater agility, and this updated edition ensures the world's most widely used quality management standard continues to provide organizations with a trusted international framework to navigate change with confidence.”
Sam Somerville, Chair of ISO/TC 176/SC 2 and Convenor of the international working group that led the revision, said: “This revision demonstrates the strength of the international standards development process. Bringing together experts from across industries, sectors and countries enabled us to challenge ideas, build consensus and develop a standard that reflects the realities organizations face today.
“We hope organizations around the world will use ISO 9001:2026 to strengthen their management systems, build confidence and create lasting value for the people and communities they serve.”
Organizations already using BS EN ISO 9001 will find the new edition a natural evolution, building on the existing standard and helping organizations respond confidently to emerging challenges and opportunities. The publication follows extensive international collaboration through ISO's global network of national standards bodies, including BSI, bringing together experts from around the world to develop a consensus-based framework that reflects international best practice in quality management.
For more information on the standard, please click here.
