EP235 – The New ISO 9001 Revision: All You Need to Know
The upcoming ISO 9001 revision matters, but some of the loudest claims about it go too far. There is a lot of confusion regarding the timeline, what the draft really says, and whether organisations will need to make big changes overnight. In this video, I’ll cut through the noise and focus on what current ISO information supports, what draft guidance suggests, and what you can do now to prepare in a practical way.
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If you use ISO 9001, you have probably heard that a new edition is on the way. That is true. ISO’s current public information shows that the revision is in progress, with publication planned for September 2026. This means there is no need to panic, but there is good reason to prepare carefully. The real risk is not the revision itself; the real risk is reacting to rumours or waiting too long to understand where things are heading. Today, I’ll explain what we know from official sources, what current draft summaries suggest, and how to get your quality management system ready without overreacting.
Why is this update happening now?
ISO standards are reviewed periodically to ensure they stay useful. Current ISO information confirms the revision process began after a global consultation in 2023, and the updated edition is meant to keep ISO 9001 in line with changing business needs and stakeholder expectations. The key point is this: the revision looks like an update, not a complete rewrite. Current guidance suggests the familiar structure will stay in place, which helps ISO 9001 remain aligned with other management system standards. That matters because the world has changed significantly since 2015, with an increased focus on resilience, sustainability, supply chains, digital working, and stakeholder expectations.
Certification and Timelines
Now let’s clear up the biggest practical concern: certification. Current guidance from certification bodies points to a transition period of up to three years after the revised standard is published. If publication happens in September 2026 as planned, many organisations expect the transition period to run until approximately September 2029. This aligns with previous major ISO transitions, although the final arrangements are usually confirmed after publication. So, the message is simple: there is no need to panic, but there is every reason to start preparing in a structured way.
Key Topics Shaping the New Standard
Let’s focus on the main topics the committee is working on. These are the areas where changes are most likely.
1. Climate Change In February 2024, ISO and the IAF announced an amendment that affects management system standards, including ISO 9001. The amendment added a requirement in Clause 4.1 for organisations to determine whether climate change is a relevant issue. It also added a note in Clause 4.2 stating that relevant interested parties may have requirements related to climate change. In simple terms, you should assess whether climate change is relevant to your organisation and record why. For some businesses, that relevance will be obvious; for others, it may be indirect. Either way, this is not a “future” idea (it is already part of the standard through the 2024 amendment) and is expected to carry into the revised edition.
2. Quality Culture and Ethics Next is the move from simply controlling quality to building a stronger quality culture. Current draft guidance suggests more emphasis on leadership responsibility for promoting quality culture and ethical behaviour. Because the revised standard has not yet been published, it is best to treat this as a likely direction rather than a final requirement. Even so, it is a useful prompt. Ask yourself: How do leaders talk about quality? How are the right behaviours reinforced? What evidence shows that quality and ethics matter in day-to-day decisions? These are sensible questions to address now, regardless of the final wording.
3. Resilience and Risk Management Recent disruptions have shown how exposed organisations can be to supply chain failure, sudden change, and operational shocks. Current draft summaries suggest a stronger focus on resilience and a clearer treatment of risks and opportunities. While the final text isn’t settled, it points to a practical direction. A useful step now is to treat risk prevention and opportunity planning as separate management activities; one protects the business from harm, while the other helps it improve, adapt, and grow. Making that distinction clearer now can strengthen your system even before the new edition is published.
4. Digital Transformation Finally, technology. Current guidance points to greater recognition of digital ways of working, better use of data, and the reality of cloud-based and distributed systems. However, there is no clear basis for saying that organisations will be forced to adopt AI. A more accurate way to put it is this: the revised standard is expected to reflect a more digital working environment while leaving organisations to decide which tools are right for their context. The real question is not whether you must use new technology, but whether your systems for information, communication, and decision-making are effective for the way your organisation works today.
Your 4-Step Action Plan
What should you do right now? Don’t wait for the final version. A strong quality system stays one step ahead. Here is a simple four-step plan to help you prepare:
Step 1: Strengthen your view of organisational context and leadership. Review your Clause 4 analysis and ensure climate change has been considered, as required by the 2024 amendment. Discuss the themes highlighted in current draft guidance (culture, ethics, and resilience) with your leadership team.
Step 2: Make your approach to risks and opportunities more deliberate. Regardless of the final wording, many organisations benefit from separating the discussion of threats from the discussion of opportunities. Use one process to control what could go wrong and another to explore innovation and performance.
Step 3: Assess how “future-ready” your QMS is. Review your current system against the emerging themes: climate relevance, resilience, leadership behaviour, and digital tools. This review is valuable whether you are preparing for a transition or simply building a stronger organisation.
Step 4: Keep people informed and involved. Start building awareness now. Ensure managers, process owners, and internal auditors understand the likely direction of change and the difference between confirmed requirements and draft expectations.
The ISO 9001 revision should be seen as a practical update, not a reason for alarm. Current ISO information points to publication in September 2026, with a likely three-year transition window. What is already clear is that climate change is part of the standard now, and the future focus will be on leadership, culture, and resilience. If you focus on those themes today, you will be in an excellent position when the final text arrives.
That’s all for today. Managing these changes can be difficult, but you do not have to do it alone. I have created a free “Future-Ready QMS Checklist” that covers the topics we discussed; you can find it via the link in the description. If you want clear, practical updates as the revision continues, subscribe to the channel and turn on notifications. Thank you for your support of my books, Life Quality Projects, The Quality Mindset, and The Principles of Quality.
As always: stay excellent, keep improving, and look for the changes.
References:
- BSI (2024) ‘ISO 9001 revision update: what to expect from the new standard’, BSI. Available at: https://www.bsigroup.com/ (Accessed: 13 May 2026).
- ISO and IAF (2024) ‘Joint communiqué on the addition of climate change considerations to management system standards’, ISO/IAF. Available at: https://www.iso.org/ (Accessed: 13 May 2026).
- NQA (2025) ‘ISO 9001:2026 update and transition guidance’, NQA. Available at: https://www.nqa.com/ (Accessed: 13 May 2026).
- DNV (2025) ‘ISO 9001 revision: timeline, transition and key expected changes’, DNV. Available at: https://www.dnv.com/ (Accessed: 13 May 2026).
- ISO/TC 176/SC 2 (2025) ‘Draft revision information and committee updates on ISO 9001’, ISO Technical Committee 176/SC 2. Available at: https://committee.iso.org/ (Accessed: 13 May 2026).