ISO 9001:2026, the latest edition of the world's leading quality management system (QMS) standard, has been published, replacing ISO 9001:2015.
The new edition builds on the established ISO 9001 framework while updating and clarifying requirements to reflect today's business environment. It places greater emphasis on leadership, quality culture, ethical behavior and the effective management of risks and opportunities while helping organizations continue to improve performance and customer confidence.
Organizations currently certified to ISO 9001:2015 should now begin considering how the revised requirements affect their QMS and planning for transition.
What has changed in ISO 9001:2026?
ISO 9001:2026 builds on the existing structure of ISO 9001:2015 while introducing updates and clarifications in areas such as leadership, quality culture, risks and opportunities, climate change considerations, organizational knowledge and continual improvement.
ISO 9001:2026 maintains the Annex SL High‑Level Structure and builds on ISO 9001:2015 by introducing updates and clarifications in leadership, quality culture, risks and opportunities, climate change considerations, organizational knowledge and continual improvement.
For a detailed overview of the key changes and transition considerations, explore our ISO 9001:2026 Key Updates and Transition Guidance.
What does ISO 9001:2026 mean for certified organizations?
Organizations certified to ISO 9001:2015 will need to transition their QMS and certification to the new edition within the applicable transition period.
Rather than waiting until the transition deadline approaches, organizations can start by obtaining a copy of ISO 9001:2026 to understand the new requirements and reviewing their existing QMS and identifying areas that require changes.
Early preparation can help organizations:
- Understand how the revised requirements affect existing processes
- Identify gaps between their current QMS and ISO 9001:2026
- Build awareness among leadership, process owners and internal auditors
- Plan necessary system and documentation updates
- Prepare for transition audits and maintain certification continuity
- Use the revision as an opportunity to improve QMS performance
How can SGS support your ISO 9001:2026 transition?
As a global certification body with extensive quality management expertise, we can support organizations throughout their transition to ISO 9001:2026.
Our services include:
- ISO 9001 certification for organizations implementing a QMS and pursuing certification for the first time
- Gap assessments and readiness assessments to identify areas that may require attention before transition
- Transition audits and certification services to support transition from ISO 9001:2015 to ISO 9001:2026.
- ISO 9001:2026 training to help your teams understand the new and revised requirements
- Integrated management system support for organizations combining ISO 9001 with standards such as ISO 14001 and ISO 45001
Our global network of experienced auditors and technical experts can help you understand the changes, evaluate your readiness and plan an efficient transition.
Start preparing for ISO 9001:2026
The publication of ISO 9001:2026 marks an important milestone for organizations using quality management systems worldwide.
Now is the time to understand what has changed and establish a clear transition plan.
Explore our ISO 9001:2026 Key Updates and Transition Guidance for more information on the changes, transition considerations and how SGS can support your organization.
Contact us to discuss your ISO 9001:2026 transition and certification needs.
For further information, please contact:Eric Chow
Global Marketing Manager
Business Assurance
t: +44 1276697722
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
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