ISO 9001:2026 has been published — what changes and how to transition

What is ISO 9001:2026 and who does it affect?

ISO 9001:2026 is the sixth edition of the standard “Quality management systems — Requirements”. It replaces ISO 9001:2015 together with Amendment 1:2024 and affects both certified organizations and those that are only now seeking certification.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published the new edition on 16 September 2026. The structure and the core requirements remain, and the changes are smaller than in the 2015 transition. Global ACI — the international organization for cooperation in accreditation, into which IAF and ILAC merged on 1 January 2026 — describes the changes as minimal. It stresses, however, that their impact differs for each organization and that the organization itself determines what it needs to change in its system.

On 24 September 2026, the Bulgarian Institute for Standardization issued BDS EN ISO 9001:2026 in Bulgarian and English and withdrew BDS EN ISO 9001:2015 and its 2024 amendment.

The withdrawal of BDS EN ISO 9001:2015 as a national standard does not end your certificates. Their validity is determined by the transition rules — until 30 September 2029 at the latest.

For what the standard requires as a whole, see the article ISO 9001 — quality management.

What changes compared with ISO 9001:2015?

The changes mainly concern leadership, planning and staff awareness. The table summarizes the most important ones. The full text is in the standard itself — during the transition, your system is compared with the new edition clause by clause.

The standard also follows the latest ISO Harmonized Structure for management systems. This makes it even easier to integrate with ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO/IEC 27001.

What are the deadlines for the transition?

The transition period is three years from the publication of the standard. The deadlines are set out in the Global ACI mandatory document on the transition to ISO 9001:2026, which applies to accreditation bodies and to the certification bodies they accredit.

1. 16.09.2026

   ISO publishes ISO 9001:2026. The three-year transition period begins.

2. 24.09.2026

   The Bulgarian Institute for Standardization issues BDS EN ISO 9001:2026 and withdraws BDS EN ISO 9001:2015.

3. 31.03.2027

   Deadline by which accreditation bodies must be ready to assess against the new version.

4. 30.09.2027

   Deadline for decisions on the transition of certification bodies’ accreditation.

5. 31.03.2028

   After this date, no new ISO 9001:2015 certificates are issued — initial certification is to ISO 9001:2026 only.

6. 30.09.2029

   End of the transition. ISO 9001:2015 certificates lose their validity.

If you do not transition to the new version by 30 September 2029, your ISO 9001:2015 certificate loses its validity — even if its three-year cycle ends later.

How does the transition audit work?

The transition is carried out through an audit in which the certification body checks your system against ISO 9001:2026. It can issue a certificate to the new version only after the accreditation body has decided on the transition of its accreditation.

• During a surveillance auditThe transition is combined with the next annual surveillance audit within the transition period.
• During recertificationIf your certificate expires within the transition period, the recertification audit can also serve as the transition audit.
• A separate transition auditA special audit can be scheduled if you do not want to wait for the next planned audit.
• Audit timeThe certification body assesses whether additional time is needed, depending on the extent of the changes and the type of audit.

During the transition audit, the auditor checks at least:

• the changed requirements of ISO 9001:2026 compared with the previous version;
• changes in the context of the organization;
• the need for other changes to the management system.

The certification decision on the new version is based on the results of the transition audit. For how certification works as a whole, see the page Certification process.

What should you do if you are certified to ISO 9001:2015?

Your certificate remains valid, so there is no need to rush into a new one. Use the transition period for planned preparation.

1. 1Obtain the new standard

   The international edition is ISO 9001:2026, and the Bulgarian one is BDS EN ISO 9001:2026.

2. 2Carry out a gap analysis

   Compare your system with the new requirements — above all quality culture, risks and opportunities, and change management.

3. 3Update the system

   Reflect the changes in your documented information and in practice — policy, risk assessment, planning of changes, management review.

4. 4Prepare your people

   Employees must be aware of the quality culture and ethical behaviour, and internal auditors must know the new requirements.

5. 5Check the system

   Carry out an internal audit and a management review against ISO 9001:2026.

6. 6Agree on the timing of the transition

   Agree with the certification body at which audit the transition will take place — before 30.09.2029 at the latest.

The certification body does not provide consultancy to the organizations it certifies — this is an impartiality requirement under ISO/IEC 17021-1. The system is updated by the organization itself or with the help of an independent consultant. If you are considering changing your certification body, see how a certificate transfer works.

Which version should you certify to if you are starting now?

Until 31 March 2028, initial certification may also be to ISO 9001:2015. Certification to ISO 9001:2026 is possible once the certification body’s accreditation has transitioned to the new version. The choice depends on when you need the certificate.

Either way, it makes sense to build your system with the new requirements in mind — the later transition will then require fewer changes. For what the price depends on, see the article How much does ISO certification cost.