The ISO 9001 standard, which promotes continuous improvement and ongoing development in line with today’s conditions, is expected to be revised in 2026. With this revision, sustainability is planned to shift from being optional toward becoming mandatory, technology is expected to be placed at the forefront and at the center, and the scope of quality is planned to be expanded to include environmental responsibility, customer satisfaction, and the use of technology.

The ISO 9001:2026 revision is expected to reflect the changing business environment, integrate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and digitalization, and place greater emphasis on ethics, integrity, and a comprehensive customer experience. It is also intended to provide clarifications for service providers and to focus on aligning the Quality Management System with broader business processes.

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Expected Innovations with the ISO 9001:2026 Revision

1. Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Integration

The business world is increasingly empowered by technology, and ISO 9001:2026 is expected to reflect this change. As organizations make greater use of artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics, the revised standard may introduce requirements for integrating digital solutions into quality management processes. This means that companies using AI, cloud-based processes, or operating digitalized workflows will need to comply with updated digital management requirements.

2. Inclusion of Sustainability and Climate Change Assessments

Sustainability is no longer just a corporate buzzword but a strategic necessity. The new version of ISO 9001 is expected to align more closely with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and require organizations to demonstrate how their quality management systems contribute to sustainable and responsible business practices. New requirements are expected regarding waste reduction, improved energy efficiency, and ensuring supply chain sustainability.

Building on the 2024 amendment to ISO 9001:2015 that introduced climate change considerations, the 2026 revision is expected to strengthen these aspects by formally requiring organizations to consider climate-related risks and opportunities within their strategic context.

3. Emphasis on Ethics and Integrity

One of the most significant expected changes in the new standard is a stronger emphasis on ethics, integrity, and leadership responsibility. With the revision, ethical decision-making, transparent leadership, and a culture of continuous improvement are encouraged. Greater focus on ethics and integrity is expected to ensure alignment between corporate decisions, actions, and interactions with stakeholders.

4. Stronger Focus on Risk Management

While risk-based thinking was a major addition in ISO 9001:2015, the 2026 update is expected to take this concept further. The new revision is expected to emphasize not only identifying risks but also taking proactive measures to turn them into opportunities. Organizations will be required to adopt a structured approach to evaluating, monitoring, and responding to potential risks that may affect quality performance.

5. Enhanced Customer Focus

ISO 9001 has always placed customer satisfaction at its core, but the 2026 revision may go one step further. The concept of customer satisfaction may be expanded to encompass the entire customer experience, reflecting a more holistic approach to quality management. Organizations may be required to adopt more advanced customer feedback mechanisms, real-time monitoring of customer experience, and stronger complaint-handling procedures. The goal is to achieve a deeper, data-driven understanding of customer needs and expectations.

6. Strengthened Supply Chain Resilience

Recent global supply chain disruptions have highlighted the need for stronger supplier management practices. ISO 9001:2026 is likely to introduce new criteria for assessing supplier risks, monitoring performance, and ensuring consistency in supply chain operations. These aspects will help organizations establish more robust, transparent, and flexible supplier relationships.

7. Increased Flexibility for Different Sectors

The ISO 9001 standard is used by organizations across various sectors, from manufacturing to IT services. The upcoming revision is expected to provide greater flexibility and allow increased use of digital elements. Building on the simplifications introduced with the 2015 revision, the 2026 update is likely to further reduce documentation requirements and make the standard more accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises.

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Timeline for ISO 9001:2026

The revised standard is expected to be published in September 2026.

After the publication of the revision in 2026, organizations will have an approximately three-year transition period to update their Quality Management Systems to meet the new requirements.

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Preparing for the Transition

Organizations can prepare for the upcoming changes as follows:

• Stay Up to Date: Follow the official ISO website and industry updates for the latest publication details.

• Conduct a Gap Analysis: Compare your current QMS with the expected changes to identify areas requiring improvement.

• Train Your Team: Ensure that employees understand the new requirements and how they will impact daily operations.

• Engage Leadership: Obtain top management support to implement the necessary changes.

• Documentation Requirements: Update documentation and internal processes to align with the new requirements.

• Monitor Supply Chains: Strengthen supplier evaluation and risk management processes.

• Digital Transformation Needs: Invest in relevant technologies to support digital transformation initiatives.

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YBM INTERNATIONAL Is Here to Support You

YBM INTERNATIONAL will continue to support you throughout this process.

After the standard is published, YBM INTERNATIONAL can assist you during the transition process in the following areas:

• Participation in our general, open-enrollment transition training programs

• Conducting gap analysis audits during your preparation process for ISO 9001:2026

• Evaluating your system prepared in accordance with ISO 9001:2026 through pre-audits

• Completing the transition of your existing certificate to the 2026 version through an interim transition audit

Be prepared — change is coming!

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