ISO 9001:2026 Revision Guide Timeline, Key Changes and Preparation Steps

September 2025 should provide some validation of suspected changes to be included in the latest revisions to ISO 9001, the ubiquitous global quality system standard. September 2025 is the projected release date of the Draft International Standard (DIS). Just over one year from then, we may finally bear witness to formal publication of ISO 9001:2026, encompassing these revisions.

This is all part of a push to ensure ISO 9001 remains relevant and effective in a rapidly changing world that brings technological advancements and new business considerations. As such, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) amended ISO 9001 in February 2024, requiring organizations to consider whether climate change is relevant to their quality system.

Now a full revision of the standard is moving through ISO’s formal consideration process toward a September 2026 release. Here we review the current progress toward publication of the revised standard, what might change and a practical readiness plan for quality professionals.

Contents

What is ISO 9001:2026?

ISO 9001 revision quick timeline

Expected revisions for ISO 9001: 2026

How to prepare for ISO 9001: 2026

Tasks for new ISO 9001 users

Bottom line

What is ISO 9001:2026?

ISO 9001:2026 is the upcoming revision of the world’s most widely used quality management standard, expected to be published in September 2026. It builds on ISO 9001:2015 with a 2024 climate amendment and introduces updates around digitalization, risk-based thinking, supply chain resilience and sustainability. 

ISO 9001 revision quick timeline

• ISO 9001:2015/Amd 1:2024 is already in force and adds climate‐related considerations to the standard. You should be addressing this today.

• A full revision of ISO 9001 is underway by ISO/TC 176/SC 2, Working Group 29. The committee’s timeline targets publication in the Fall of 2026. A Draft International Standard (DIS) is expected to move into public consultation in the near term, with work continuing through 2025–2026.

• Transition timing to the new edition will be set by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) after publication. Historically, major ISO management system revisions have allowed about three years to transition. Plan with that precedent in mind while waiting for the official window.

Expected revisions for ISO 9001:2026

According to a recent market overview, over 1.3 million businesses globally hold ISO 9001 certification. Preliminary summaries of anticipated changes suggest that there will be limited new requirements to ISO 9001.

However clarification and restructuring of certain sections are expected. ISO does not publish final requirements until the standard is approved, but official updates, input from users and industry associations, as well as industry briefings point to a few themes taking shape. These include:

• Climate and sustainability – The 2024 amendment already in place will be embedded into the new edition.

• Impact of digital transformation

• Supply chain resilience

• Proactive risk management and risk-based thinking

• Quality culture and awareness of ethical behaviors

• Increased attention to customer satisfaction

How to prepare for ISO 9001:2026

Preparing for the 2026 edition of ISO 9001 involves taking proactive steps now that will strengthen your quality management system and make the eventual transition smoother. Organizations that address likely focus areas today will not only be ahead of compliance requirements, but will also build company resilience, improve efficiency and enhance customer confidence today. Here are practical steps to take now to prepare for the changes.

Close the 2024 climate amendment gap

Review Clause 4.1 and 4.2 processes of the current ISO 9001 standard to determine whether and how climate change is relevant to your QMS. Then reflect any resulting risks, opportunities and controls in your system.

Run a pre-transition gap assessment

Use your internal audit program to test readiness against the amendment and the likely areas of emphasis noted above. Capture actions in your improvement plan and management review schedule so you’re ready when the DIS becomes public.

Harmonize your management systems

If you also maintain compliance with ISO 14001, ISO 45001 or ISO 27001, align terminology and clause mapping to the Harmonized Structure (HS), which is another expected change to come out of the 2026 updates. Doing this now will help transition adoption of the revised ISO 9001.

Strengthen risk-, change- and training-management practices

Tighten risk assessments tied to process performance and customer impact. Formalize change control for suppliers, products, software and automation. Maintain a knowledge base of instructions for critical processes and provide appropriate training.

Deepen supplier and resilience controls

Refresh supplier evaluation criteria, incoming verification protocols, contingency plans and second-source strategies. Map critical processes undertaken for potential disruptions, and define recovery times and responsibilities.

Lean into data and digitalization

Use digital solutions for key processes, such as document control, and take advantage of automated KPI reporting and auditable workflows to demonstrate evidence-based decision making.

Even if the revisions don’t mandate specific tools, stronger data trails mitigate potential issues for your transition. Multiple registrars and expert briefings encourage early QMS modernization while ISO finalizes changes.

Create a provisional project timeline

Map out a rough three-year transition plan starting from the anticipated Sept 2026 publication, with milestones at 6, 12, 24 and 30 months for procedure updates, training, internal audits and a recertification audit before the deadline. When IAF issues the official transition period, you can adjust the timeline accordingly.

Tasks for new ISO 9001 users

If you’re new to ISO 9001, don’t wait: implement to ISO 9001:2015 with Amendment 1:2024 now. Begin by reviewing requirements and documenting any progress toward them. Today’s well-designed QMS built on risk-based thinking, strong leadership and process control will only require incremental updates later, not a complete rebuild. What’s more, the benefits of maintaining a streamlined, controlled quality management system will be seen sooner, building customer trust, a culture of quality and paving the way to greater profitability.

Bottom line

If you’re already certified to ISO 9001, the upcoming revision shouldn’t feel overwhelming. The 2024 climate amendment is already in place, and the 2026 revision will build on the familiar principles of risk-based thinking, customer focus and continual improvement. By making steady adjustments now, you’ll avoid scrambling later when the new edition is published.

If you’re not yet certified, there’s no reason to wait. A strong QMS based on ISO 9001:2015 and the 2024 amendment delivers immediate benefits in efficiency, consistency and credibility. The coming revision will only enhance that foundation.

The best approach is simple: keep your system alive, keep your people engaged, and keep an eye on ISO’s updates. That way, when the 2026 edition arrives, you’ll be ready to transition smoothly—and you may even discover that you’re already ahead of the curve.