ISO 9001 Certification
ISO 9001:2026 Client Guide to the Changes and Transition Plan
What Is Changing, What It Means for Your QMS, and How to Transition Before 30 September 2029
All ISO 9001:2015 certificates must be transitioned to ISO 9001:2026 by 30 September 2029. After this date, ISO 9001:2015 certificates will no longer be valid.
ISO 9001, the world’s most widely used quality management system standard, has been revised. The new edition, ISO 9001:2026, replaces ISO 9001:2015 and brings the standard in line with the latest harmonized structure used across ISO management system standards.
The good news is that the core of ISO 9001 is unchanged. The process approach, customer focus, risk-based thinking and the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle all remain at the heart of the standard. Most of the changes clarify or strengthen existing requirements, but there are some genuinely new requirements that every certified organization will need to address, including climate change as a context issue, quality culture and ethical behaviour, and separate treatment of risks and opportunities.
We strongly encourage you not to leave your transition until the final months. Planning early gives you time to close any gaps calmly and lets us schedule your transition audit at a time that suits your business. Your BCI CERT contact is ready to answer questions and agree a transition approach that works for you.
1. ISO 9001:2026 at a Glance
The revision is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Organizations with a well-functioning ISO 9001:2015 system should find that most changes can be absorbed into existing processes. The table below shows how the changes break down.
| Type of change | What it covers |
|---|---|
| New requirements | Climate change consideration (4.1); quality culture and ethical behaviour (5.1.1, 7.3); opportunity-based thinking (5.1.1, 6.1.3); reporting on improvement opportunities (5.3); communication of changes (6.3); audit objectives (9.2.2). |
| Restructured | Risks and opportunities separated into distinct sub-clauses (6.1.2, 6.1.3); 10.1 and 10.3 merged into a single clause on continual improvement; clearer sub-items in 4.4.1, 8.1 and 10.2.1. |
| Expanded | Management review inputs (9.3.2); analysis and evaluation (9.1.3); planning of changes (6.3); infrastructure note (7.1.3); organizational knowledge (7.1.6); customer communication (8.2.1). |
| Terminology | “Documented information shall be available” replaces “retain / maintain documented information” throughout; core management system terms now defined directly in Clause 3. |
| Removed | Annex B (other International Standards); separate clause 10.3 (merged into 10.1). |
Seven key themes
- Quality culture and ethical behaviour. Now explicitly part of leadership (5.1.1), awareness (7.3) and the environment for the operation of processes (7.1.4).
- Climate change. Organizations must determine whether climate change is a relevant issue (4.1) and consider climate-related requirements of interested parties (4.2).
- Risks and opportunities separated. Risks and opportunities each have their own requirements to determine, analyse, evaluate and act (6.1.1 to 6.1.3), carried through into analysis (9.1.3) and management review (9.3.2).
- Stronger change management. Planning of changes must now also cover communication, how effectiveness will be monitored, and how results will be reviewed (6.3).
- Organizational knowledge. Knowledge must be retained, applied and shared, with broader recognition of experience-based and digital forms of knowledge (7.1.6).
- Documented information. Language aligned with the harmonized structure: documented information “shall be available” rather than being “maintained” or “retained”.
- Iterative design and development. Agile and iterative approaches with cycles of review, verification, validation and feedback are recognized as acceptable (8.3).
2. Clause-by-Clause Overview
The table below summarizes the changes that matter most for your management system. The impact rating indicates the typical effort needed: High means new or significantly changed requirements, Medium means clarified or expanded requirements, and Low means mainly editorial.
| Clause | What has changed | Impact | What you should do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Scope | Wording simplified; “generic” statement repositioned. | Low | No action required. |
| 2 Normative references | ISO 9000 is now undated, so the latest edition applies. | Low | Refer to the current edition of ISO 9000. |
| 3 Terms and definitions | Core terms (organization, interested party, top management, QMS, policy, objective, audit, measurement, monitoring) now defined in the standard itself. | Low | Check that your QMS terminology is consistent with the definitions. |
| 4.1 Context | New: determine whether climate change is a relevant issue. Notes expanded to political and environmental issues. | High | Add climate change to your context analysis (e.g. SWOT/PESTLE) and record the conclusion. |
| 4.2 Interested parties | Determine which requirements will be addressed through the QMS. Note on climate-related requirements. | Medium | Update your interested parties register to show which requirements the QMS addresses. |
| 4.3 / 4.4 Scope and processes | Scope “available as” documented information; 4.4.1 restructured (a–i); 4.4.2 simplified. | Low | Review scope statement and process documentation for alignment. |
| 5.1.1 Leadership | Now 12 items, including promoting quality culture and ethical behaviour, and opportunity-based thinking. | High | Define how top management promotes quality culture and ethics; brief leadership on their role. |
| 5.2 Quality policy | Must take into account context and support strategic direction; “implemented” explicitly added. | Medium | Review the quality policy against context and strategic direction. |
| 5.3 Roles and responsibilities | New: responsibility for reporting on opportunities for improvement. | Medium | Assign this responsibility and update role descriptions. |
| 6.1 Risks and opportunities | Split into 6.1.1 (determining), 6.1.2 (risks) and 6.1.3 (opportunities). Risks must be determined, analysed and evaluated; note on disruption risks. | High | Separate risk and opportunity registers or sections; include disruption risks; evaluate effectiveness of actions. |
| 6.2 Quality objectives | Minor simplification of wording. | Low | No significant action; confirm objectives are monitored and updated. |
| 6.3 Planning of changes | Expanded: communication of changes, monitoring effectiveness and reviewing results. | High | Update your change management procedure and templates. |
| 7.1.3 Infrastructure | Note covers on-site, remote and hybrid work. | Low | Confirm infrastructure supports remote/hybrid work where relevant. |
| 7.1.4 Environment | Note links environment to quality culture and ethical behaviour. | Low | Consider when reviewing work environment. |
| 7.1.6 Organizational knowledge | Knowledge must be retained, applied and shared; broader forms of knowledge. | Medium | Review knowledge management, including succession and digital systems. |
| 7.2 Competence | “Retain” changed to “available as evidence”. | Low | No change in practice. |
| 7.3 Awareness | New: awareness of organizational quality culture and ethical behaviour. | High | Add quality culture and ethics to induction and awareness training. |
| 8.1 Operational planning | More explicit sub-items; documented information split into two statements. | Low | Review operational planning documentation. |
| 8.2.1 Customer communication | Contingency communication related to disruptions; note on methods. | Medium | Define how customers are informed during disruptions. |
| 8.2.4 Changes to requirements | Changes communicated to relevant interested parties. | Medium | Update order/contract change process. |
| 8.3 Design and development | Notes recognize iterative approaches and evolving inputs; outputs include information on products and services; “users” becomes “other relevant interested parties”. | Medium | Confirm your design process reflects how you actually work, including agile methods. |
| 8.4 External providers | Minor restructuring; interactions may include customers and other interested parties; verification at “other locations”. | Low | Review supplier requirement communications. |
| 8.5.1 Production and service | Controlled conditions include the activities to be performed. | Low | Check work instructions define activities as well as results. |
| 8.7 Nonconforming outputs | Explicitly includes nonconformities detected after delivery or during/after service provision. | Medium | Make sure post-delivery nonconformities are captured. |
| 9.1.2 Customer satisfaction | Note adds complaints and social media as sources. | Low | Consider additional sources of customer feedback. |
| 9.1.3 Analysis and evaluation | Effectiveness of actions on risks and on opportunities evaluated separately. | Medium | Update analysis and reporting. |
| 9.2.2 Audit programme | New: audit objectives must be defined; results reported to relevant managers. | Medium | Add objectives to your audit programme. |
| 9.3 Management review | Inputs expanded: changes in interested party needs; risks and opportunities separated. “Outputs” becomes “results”. | Medium | Update the management review agenda and minutes template. |
| 10.1 Continual improvement | 10.1 and 10.3 merged; actions include addressing future needs and expectations. | Medium | Update improvement procedure and clause cross-references. |
| 10.2 Nonconformity and corrective action | Restructured (a–f); note that customer complaints can be a source. | Low | Review corrective action procedure for alignment. |
| Annex A / B | Annex A expanded with terminology guidance; Annex B removed. | Low | Informative only; useful reading for your team. |
Throughout the standard, “retain documented information” and “maintain documented information” are replaced by “documented information shall be available”. In most cases this does not require you to change your records. Keep the evidence you already hold, and update cross-references in your procedures where helpful.
3. Transition Plan: ISO 9001:2015 to ISO 9001:2026
All BCI CERT clients certified to ISO 9001:2015 must complete their transition to ISO 9001:2026 by 30 September 2029. The plan below sets out BCI CERT’s key dates and the steps we recommend you follow.
3.1 Key transition dates
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| September 2026 | ISO 9001:2026 published. Transition period begins. |
| From 1 January 2027 | BCI CERT able to conduct transition audits and initial certification audits against ISO 9001:2026. |
| 31 March 2028 | Last date for BCI CERT to conduct initial certification audits against ISO 9001:2015. After this date, all initial audits will be to ISO 9001:2026. |
| 31 March 2029 | Recommended latest date for your transition audit, leaving time to close any nonconformities and issue your new certificate. |
| 30 September 2029 | End of transition period. All ISO 9001:2015 certificates expire or are withdrawn. Organizations not transitioned must undergo a new initial certification audit. |
Audit capacity across the industry becomes limited near the end of every transition period. Booking your transition audit early helps you secure your preferred dates and avoid any risk of a gap in certification.
3.2 Recommended transition roadmap for your organization
| Phase | Suggested timing | Key activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Awareness and planning | Q4 2026 to Q1 2027 |
|
| 2. Gap analysis | Q1 to Q2 2027 |
|
| 3. Implementation | Q2 2027 to Q2 2028 |
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| 4. Verification | Q2 to Q4 2028 |
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| 5. Transition audit | By 31 March 2029 |
|
3.3 How your transition audit will work
Your transition to ISO 9001:2026 can be carried out in one of three ways. Your BCI CERT contact will help you choose the most practical and cost-effective option.
- Combined with a surveillance audit. The most common option. Transition is assessed alongside your scheduled surveillance audit, with additional audit time where needed.
- Combined with your recertification audit. Suitable if your recertification falls within the transition period.
- As a special transition audit. A standalone audit at a date of your choosing, useful if your audit cycle does not fit the timeline.
The transition audit will focus on the new and changed requirements, and will also confirm that your QMS continues to conform to the rest of the standard. Additional audit time may be required; this will be confirmed in your quotation before the audit is scheduled.
3.4 What we will look for
- Evidence of a gap analysis and transition plan.
- A context analysis that addresses whether climate change is a relevant issue.
- Separate determination, analysis and evaluation of risks and of opportunities, with actions and effectiveness reviews.
- Top management’s role in promoting quality culture, ethical behaviour and opportunity-based thinking.
- Staff awareness of quality culture and ethical behaviour.
- Change management that covers communication, monitoring and review of results.
- An audit programme with defined audit objectives.
- An internal audit and management review completed against ISO 9001:2026.
3.5 Certificates during and after transition
- Your ISO 9001:2015 certificate remains valid during the transition period, until 30 September 2029 at the latest.
- After a successful transition audit, BCI CERT will issue an ISO 9001:2026 certificate. The expiry date of your current certification cycle will normally be retained.
- If transition is not completed by 30 September 2029, your ISO 9001:2015 certificate will no longer be valid. To regain certification, a full initial certification audit (Stage 1 and Stage 2) against ISO 9001:2026 will be required.
4. Transition Readiness Checklist
Use this checklist to track your progress. You can share it with your team and bring it to your transition audit as evidence of your planning.
- Obtain a copy of ISO 9001:2026 and brief top management
- Appoint a transition lead and agree the transition plan
- Train internal auditors and key personnel on the changes
- Complete a gap analysis against ISO 9001:2026
- Determine whether climate change is a relevant issue (4.1)
- Update interested parties register, including which requirements the QMS addresses (4.2)
- Define how top management promotes quality culture and ethical behaviour (5.1.1)
- Review the quality policy against context and strategic direction (5.2)
- Assign responsibility for reporting on improvement opportunities (5.3)
- Separate risks and opportunities; determine, analyse and evaluate each (6.1)
- Include disruption risks in risk assessment (6.1.2)
- Update change management procedure (6.3)
- Review organizational knowledge: retain, apply and share (7.1.6)
- Add quality culture and ethics to awareness training (7.3)
- Define customer communication during disruptions (8.2.1)
- Ensure post-delivery nonconformities are captured (8.7)
- Add audit objectives to the internal audit programme (9.2.2)
- Update management review agenda with new inputs (9.3.2)
- Update improvement procedures for merged clause 10.1
- Complete an internal audit and management review against ISO 9001:2026
- Book your transition audit with BCI CERT
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need to rewrite our whole quality management system?
No. The structure and core requirements of ISO 9001 remain the same. Most organizations will only need to update specific procedures, registers and records to address the new and changed requirements.
Do we have to take action on climate change?
You must determine whether climate change is a relevant issue for your organization and its QMS. If you conclude that it is relevant, it should be considered in your planning like any other issue. If you conclude it is not relevant, be ready to explain how you reached that decision.
What is meant by “quality culture and ethical behaviour”?
It refers to the shared values, attitudes and behaviours in your organization that support quality and integrity. Top management must promote them, and people must be aware of them. The standard does not prescribe a specific method, so choose an approach that suits your organization.
Do we need to create new records to replace “retained” documented information?
Generally not. The change from “retain” to “shall be available” is mainly a change in wording. Continue keeping the evidence you already have.
Will the transition cost more?
The transition audit may require some additional audit time, depending on your organization’s size and complexity. BCI CERT will confirm any additional time in your quotation before your audit is scheduled.
What happens if we miss the 30 September 2029 deadline?
Your ISO 9001:2015 certificate will no longer be valid after that date. You would need to complete a full initial certification audit against ISO 9001:2026 to become certified again.
Can we transition early?
Yes. Once BCI CERT is able to audit to ISO 9001:2026, you can transition as soon as your system is ready. Early transition is encouraged.
6. Contact Us
Our team is here to support you throughout your transition. Please contact your BCI CERT representative to discuss your transition plan, request a gap assessment, or book your transition audit.
| Organization | BCI Cert Ltd. |
| admin@bcicb.com | |
| Telephone | 1-844-224-2378 / 1-844-BCI-CERT |
| Online | Contact us or get a quote |
This guide summarizes the changes between ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 9001:2026 for information purposes. It does not replace the standard itself. Organizations should refer to the published text of ISO 9001:2026 when implementing changes. Issued: September 2026.
