Standard

ISO 9001:2026 – Key Changes and Guidance

ISO 9001 has been revised offering users greater clarity, a stronger focus on quality culture and a deeper commitment to ethical leadership.

We’ll help you navigate the ISO 9001 changes with confidence

The new edition of ISO 9001, which published in September 2026, is now available to purchase.

For over 30 years, ISO 9001 has been the global benchmark for quality management, trusted by more than one million organizations worldwide. The 2026 edition builds on this strong foundation, refining how the standard is understood and applied.

It reinforces the role of quality as a strategic driver of performance, trust and sustainable growth. Organizations can continue to rely on a familiar framework, while benefitting from a clearer, more relevant and more usable standard.

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Understanding the 2026 Revision of ISO 9001

Your Next Steps

Take your next steps with ISO 9001:2026

ISO standards periodically undergo a structured revision process to ensure they provide you with the most relevant and up-to-date guidance.

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Buy the BS EN (UK Only) - ISO 9001:2026 standard

The revision to this standard is now complete and BS EN (UK Only) ISO 9001:2026 is available to purchase.

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ISO 9001 Training courses

Our ISO 9001:2026 training courses help you understand, implement and audit your quality management system.

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Transition

ISO 9001:2026 Transition

Transition your ISO 9001 certified QMS with confidence. BSI can help you achieve a smooth, effective transition.

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Why the new ISO 9001:2026 matters to your organization?

Whether you already use ISO 9001, or just getting started, implementing the updated standard helps you optimize your QMS and drive growth.

Align quality goals with your long-term business strategy.
Improve customer satisfaction with consistent product and service delivery.
Reduce compliance risk with clearer, updated QMS requirements.
Stay competitive by adapting to evolving market expectations.
Strengthen reputation through a culture of ethics and integrity.
Boost efficiency and opportunities by integrating digital and AI tools with your QMS.

Support & Guidance

Helping you understand the ISO 9001 changes

Build your skills and confidence in using ISO 9001:2026 by exploring our expert-led training courses.

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Changes and Guidance

What are the changes to ISO 9001?

The published ISO 9001:2026 standard sets out refinements and new priorities. Some updates are editorial; others expand existing concepts.

ISO 9001:2026 introduces ethical behaviour and quality culture as part of leadership responsibility.

Senior leaders should show clear commitment, for example through new training, open communication and example-setting, so that these values are lived throughout your organization.
Climate change and sustainability are now explicitly part of ISO 9001:2026’s organizational context.

Your quality management system will need to reflect these priorities, helping you meet stakeholder expectations, demonstrate ESG alignment, and stay competitive in a sustainability-driven market.
ISO 9001 introduces ethical behaviour and quality culture as part of leadership responsibility.

Senior leaders should show clear commitment, for example through new training, open communication, and example-setting, so that these values are lived throughout your organization.
ISO 9001 separates risk from opportunity and introduces stronger ‘opportunity-based thinking.’

Your organization may need to show clearer structures for resilience planning and demonstrate how risks are balanced with proactive opportunities.
Awareness requirements of ISO 9001 now include quality culture and ethical behaviour.

This means your training, communication, and staff development should go beyond the basics, ensuring people at every level truly live these values day-to-day.
ISO 9001 introduces only minor adjustments, primarily focused on terminology updates.

Your organization should ensure alignment and traceability to the updated clause references, but overall operational impact will be minimal.
The core performance evaluation requirements in ISO/FDIS 9001 remain unchanged.

For example, monitoring, measurement, audits, and management reviews continue as before. The focus for your organization is not on new processes, but on using data more effectively:

identifying quality trends;

supporting informed decision-making;

and demonstrating continual improvement without adding unnecessary complexity.
ISO 9001 makes the role of leadership in driving continual improvement more explicit.

There may be a greater need to provide evidence of your leadership actively influencing and supporting improvement cycles, extending beyond corrective actions to sustained, organization-wide progress.
A new feature of ISO 9001:2026 is the addition of Annex A.

It’s the first time ISO 9001 has been given an annex of supplementary guidance to support effective understanding and implementation. And Annex A gives substantial guidance over 15 pages, to clarify the structure, terminology and clauses of ISO 9001:2026. This is a key benefit to new and experienced users of the standard.
Yes. BSI can support you at every stage of your transition to ISO 9001:2026.

We recommend the following support areas:

Start by purchasing the revised standard and building understanding of the new and enhanced requirements through our training courses and guidance resources.

Assess your readiness with a gap assessment to identify any areas requiring attention and prioritize your transition activities.

When you're ready, our experts can support your transition audit and help you move forward with confidence.

If your ISO 9001 certification is currently held with another certification body, you can also transfer to BSI and benefit from our standards expertise throughout your transition journey.
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Insights & Media

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Your trusted quality management partners

Have questions about the ISO 9001:2026 revision or need support with your quality management system? Our team is here to help you prepare and make the transition smooth and effective no matter where you are on your quality journey.