ISO 9001, the world’s most widely used quality management standard, is being revised. The new version, ISO 9001:2026, is expected to replace ISO9001:2015 once the revision process is complete.
The update reflects how organisations operate today. Topics such as digitalisation, sustainability, supply chain oversight, emerging technologies and stronger risk management are becoming increasingly important in quality management systems.
While the core principles of ISO 9001 will remain unchanged, the upcoming revision introduces several clarifications and improvements that organisations should already be aware of.
In this article, we provide a clear overview of the most important expected updates per clause and what they mean for certified organisations.
What is ISO/DIS 9001
The revision of ISO 9001 is currently in the Draft International Standard (DIS) stage. During this phase, ISO member bodies worldwide review the draft and provide feedback before the final version is published. The final standard is expected in 2026, after which the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) will provide guidance on the transition period for certified organisations.
Although the final wording may still change, the draft already gives a clear indication of the direction in which the standard is evolving.
Overview of expected changes per clause:
Clause 4.1 - Context of the organisation
Organisations must still analyse their internal and external context, but the revised standard places greater emphasis on identifying relevant trends and developments. For example, digital transformation, sustainability challenges, societal expectations, and technological developments. The goal is to ensure that quality management systems remain aligned with the rapidly changing environment in which organisations operate.
Clause 5.1 – Leadership and quality culture
Leadership has always been central to ISO 9001, but the revised version places greater emphasis on fostering a culture of quality and ethical behaviour. Top management will be expected to demonstrate how they actively promote quality within the organisation, for example, through: Clear communication about quality objectives, active involvement in the quality management system, role modelling and leadership behaviour, and encouraging ethical conduct and integrity. This reflects the growing recognition that quality is strongly influenced by organisational culture and leadership commitment.
Clause 6.1 – Risks and opportunities
Risk-based thinking remains a core principle of ISO 9001. However, the structure of this clause has been clarified to strengthen the connection between the different elements of the management system. The revised structure highlights the relationships among internal and external context, interested parties and their expectations, risks and opportunities, actions taken to address them, and the quality objective. This makes it easier for organisations to demonstrate how risk management supports the achievement of quality objectives.
Clause 6.3 – Planning and control of changes
A notable addition in the draft revision is a dedicated paragraph on change management. Organisations will need to ensure that changes affecting the quality management system are planned and implemented in a structured and controlled manner. This includes changes related to processes, resources, responsibilities, and technologies. Effective change management helps organisations prevent disruptions and ensures that quality remains consistent during organisational or operational changes.
Clause 7.1.6 – Organisational knowledge
The guidance on organisational knowledge has been expanded to highlight the importance of knowledge management and knowledge retention. Organisations should ensure that critical knowledge is identified and documented where necessary, remains accessible within the organisation, is shared between employees and teams, and is protected against loss due to staff turnover or organisational changes. This reflects the increasing importance of continuous learning and knowledge transfer in modern organisations.
Clause 7.2 – Competence
The revised guidance strengthens the connection between competence management and organisational performance. Organisations will need to ensure that employees: possess the required skills and expertise; receive appropriate training where needed; continue developing their competencies over time; and that competence management is increasingly linked to organisational learning and adaptability.
Harmonised Structure (HS)
ISO 9001:2026 will adopt the latest Harmonised Structure (HS) used across ISO management system standards. This aligns ISO 9001 with standards such as:
- ISO 14001 (Environmental management)
- ISO 45001 (Occupational health and safety)
- ISO 50001 (Energy management)
For organisations operating multiple management systems, this makes integration significantly easier and more efficient.
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The upcoming ISO 9001 revision reflects the reality that organisations operate in a more complex and rapidly changing environment than ever before.
By strengthening areas such as leadership, risk management, knowledge management and change control, ISO 9001:2026 aims to ensure that quality management systems remain relevant and effective.
For organisations already certified to ISO 9001, the revision is not just a compliance exercise, but an opportunity to further strengthen their quality culture and organisational resilience.
Compliance made easy
At Safesecur Group, we specialize in making this transition straightforward. We translate the formal requirements of ISO 9001:2026 into practical, digital-first systems that work for your team. Our goal is to ensure your compliance doesn't just meet a standard, but actually drives your performance forward.
Let’s explore the possibilities together. Contact us today for a non-binding consultation. We’ll look at your current situation and show you exactly how we can help you turn the new ISO 9001:2026 standard into a strategic advantage for your organization.
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