ISO 9001:2026
ISO 9001 management systems standard
Introduction and publication status
The revised edition of ISO 9001 was published in September 2026, replacing ISO 9001:2015. The standard keeps the clause structure, process approach and risk based thinking that certified organisations already work with, and sets clearer expectations around organisational culture, ethical behaviour and visible leadership.
This page is an original summary prepared by Ubicert for awareness purposes. It does not reproduce the text of the standard. Organisations certified to ISO 9001:2015 remain certified to that edition until transition arrangements are confirmed and completed.
Summary of important revisions
- Greater emphasis on quality culture and the behaviours that sustain it
- Explicit expectations for ethical behaviour across the organisation
- Strengthened leadership engagement and accountability
- Clearer determination and review of risks and opportunities
- Refreshed guidance to support interpretation and implementation
Previous and current edition
| Area | ISO 9001:2015 | ISO 9001:2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Clause structure | Harmonised high level structure with ten clauses | Same clause structure, with clarified wording and intent |
| Quality culture | Addressed indirectly through leadership and competence | Explicit expectation of a positive quality culture and consistent behaviours |
| Ethical behaviour | Referenced through governance and leadership commitment | Clearer expectations for ethical conduct throughout the organisation |
| Leadership | Top management commitment, policy and responsibilities | Stronger accountability and visible engagement from leaders |
| Risks and opportunities | Risk based thinking applied across the management system | More explicit requirement to determine, address and review risks and opportunities |
| Documented information | Retain documented information to support operation | Same intent, with emphasis on information that enables consistent operation and evidence |
| Guidance material | Interpretation spread across separate guidance documents | Refreshed guidance aligned to the revised requirements |
Implications for certified organisations
- Certificates issued to ISO 9001:2015 remain valid until their stated expiry, subject to surveillance requirements and the transition arrangements confirmed by Ubicert.
- Quality management system documentation, process descriptions and internal audits should be reviewed against the revised requirements.
- Leaders should be able to demonstrate visible engagement with quality culture and ethical behaviour, not only process control.
- Internal auditor competence and awareness training should be refreshed before a transition audit.
- Records that evidence conformity under the new edition may need to be extended, particularly for culture, ethics and risk review.
Practical preparation steps
- 1Obtain the published standard and brief top management on the changes most relevant to your organisation.
- 2Compare current practice on quality culture, ethical behaviour and leadership against the revised expectations.
- 3Review risk and opportunity registers with process owners and update the actions being tracked.
- 4Update documented information, process maps and work instructions where requirements have been clarified.
- 5Refresh awareness training and internal auditor competence for the revised requirements.
- 6Run a gap assessment and an internal audit against the new edition.
- 7Agree the transition audit arrangements with Ubicert once they are confirmed.
Transition deadlines
Transition completion deadline
30 September 2029
The published transition completion deadline is 30 September 2029. Ubicert will confirm the audit arrangements that apply to your certificate.
Ubicert will confirm the transition arrangements that apply to your certificate in writing before any change is made to it.
Frequently asked questions
Certification and accreditation notice
Ubicert will communicate applicable certification transition arrangements in accordance with relevant international requirements and SANAS accreditation decisions. Accredited certification to a revised standard will be offered only when the applicable accreditation requirements have been fulfilled.
Publication of a revised ISO standard does not by itself mean that Ubicert is accredited to certify against that edition. Certificates remain recorded against the edition under which they were issued until a transition is formally completed and communicated.
Official ISO and accreditation references
External links open the official publisher or accreditation body website. Ubicert is not responsible for content published there.
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