ISO 9001:2026 Published: What Changes and the Transition Deadlines

ISO published ISO 9001:2026 on 16 September 2026, the first full revision of the world's most widely used quality management standard since 2015. On the same day, Global Accreditation Cooperation (Global ACI) — which took over the roles of the former IAF and ILAC on 1 January 2026 — published the transition requirements that accredited certification bodies must follow.

What has changed?

Based on the announcements from ISO and Global ACI, the 2026 edition builds on the existing ISO 9001 framework rather than replacing it. The highlighted changes are:

• Clearer wording throughout the requirements
• A stronger focus on leadership, quality culture and accountability
• Greater clarity around risks and opportunities
• A new Annex A that clarifies key terms and the intent of requirements
• Closer alignment with other ISO management system standards

ISO 9001:2015 and its 2024 climate change amendment are now listed by ISO as withdrawn. For the full text of the new requirements, refer to the published standard.

The transition timeline

Global ACI has set a three-year transition period (document Global ACI-TECH-3-TR 2029-09-30 (M)):

The transition can take place during a scheduled surveillance or recertification audit, or through a separate transition audit. These requirements are mandatory for accreditation bodies that are signatories to the Global ACI Multilateral Recognition Arrangement and for the certification bodies they accredit.

What should certified organisations do now?

1. Don't panic — ISO 9001:2015 certificates remain valid during the transition period, subject to normal surveillance.
2. Obtain the new standard and compare it with your current system (a gap analysis).
3. Talk to your certification body about when it will be ready to audit against the 2026 edition and which audit to use for your transition.
4. Update your system — leadership involvement, quality culture, risks and opportunities, and documented information — and brief internal auditors.
5. Plan the transition well before 30 September 2029 rather than leaving it to the final surveillance cycle.

Organisations not yet certified should plan directly for ISO 9001:2026, since from 31 March 2028 new certifications will only be issued to that edition.

For background on the standard itself, see our practical guide to ISO 9001.

This article summarises official announcements. It is not an official ISO or Global ACI publication — please refer to the linked sources for the authoritative text.