Introduction

The roots of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) can be traced all the way back to World War II, when demand for better safety standards arose within the factories that were developing explosive devices. The ISO 9000, or BS 5750 series of standards as it was once known, was introduced in 1979, meaning businesses had to comply with strict production procedures. The requirements of the standard were primarily based around those of the MoD.

The ISO 9001 standard, built on these original guidelines, was formally introduced in 1987 as many companies became increasingly frustrated with the original BS 5750 guidelines. This is because the original guidelines were specifically geared towards manufacturing businesses, meaning they were a poor fit for other types of companies and industry sectors.

ISO 9001 was then created to address these issues and offer a universal framework for quality management that all businesses and industries could adhere to. The ISO 9001 was designed to be product and industry-friendly, and the ever-evolving nature of the business world meant that there was a need for further updates and revisions.

1994

The first of these revisions came in 1994, where the ISO's intention was to move the focus of the original standard to quality management systems (QMS) that monitored and checked products at every stage involved in creating them instead of only checking them at the finished stage. This change focused on quality assurance using anticipatory actions, rather than correcting any created issues. QMS, in essence, moved from a 'cure' to 'prevention' state.

2000

In 2000, ISO 9001 was once again changed. The purpose this time was to simplify the processes and documentation involved so that companies would be less burdened with quality control procedures if they didn't actually produce new products. Another aim of this revision was to increase the involvement of upper management in order to integrate quality control throughout the entirety of the business, connecting all levels of company hierarchy. The final goal of this update was to increase effectiveness through the use of process performance metrics, where continual process improvement and the monitoring of customer satisfaction became paramount.

2008

The changes to ISO 9001 that arrived in 2008 were minor in comparison to previous changes. In this part of ISO 9001's history, clarifications were made to the existing standard to enhance its consistency with other ISO standards (e.g. ISO 14001) without introducing new requirements.

Latest Revision in 2015

The most recent change in ISO 9001 history came in 2015 after it was decided that a new QMS model was needed for the next decade. As a result of this, work began on creating a new version of ISO 9001, starting with updated quality management principles. Changes focused not on the scope of the standard but rather on its core terms, to allow greater integration with other international management systems. This update also made the standard less prescriptive than previous versions, focusing much more on performance.

This was accomplished by incorporating a process approach with risk-based thinking. Communication was now key, and with the need for a quality representative eliminated, there was much more emphasis placed on everyone within the business having an influence in the development and maintenance of the QMS.

Upcoming Change in 2026

Another ISO 9001 update is expected in September 2026. For more information on that, see ISO 9001:2026 – What to Expect.

If you would like further information on ISO 9001 then please do not hesitate to contact us today. To get certified, please click below.

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Last updated 30th July 2026.

The ISO 9001 standard has been with us for decades, but the requirements for certification haven't remained static since they were first formalised in the 1980s. They are continuously revised and updated, and every so often, a new ISO 9001 version will be rolled out; when this happens, certified companies are given a set amount of time to transition to the new version.

ISO 9001:2015

The current version of ISO 9001 is known as ISO 9001:2015. It was introduced in September 2015, from which point companies certified under the previous version (ISO 9001:2008) had three years to transition.

Further Reading: ISO 9001:2008 vs ISO 9001:2015

Is there another ISO 9001 revision on its way?

According to www.iso.org, "all ISO standards are reviewed every five years to establish if a revision is required".

However, this doesn't mean that we always get another ISO 9001 revision precisely five years after the previous one. Eight years passed between the introduction of ISO 9001:2000 (the first update of the new millennium) and ISO 9001:2008, and it was another seven years before ISO 9001:2015 rolled out.

For the moment, ISO 9001:2015 is the current version of ISO 9001 and the certification that your organisation needs.

If you would like to implement an ISO-compliant QMS (Quality Management System) and achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification, ISO Accelerator can help you to do this quickly.

UPDATE 31/07/23: The ISO Subcommittee for Quality Systems has voted to proceed with a revision of the ISO 9001 standard, which means that the ISO 9001:2015 is likely to be replaced by an updated version of the ISO 9001 standard in the near future. Click here for more information.

We at ISO Accelerator frequently help very large organisations to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification, but getting certified can be hugely beneficial for small enterprises, too. The ISO 9001 standard is designed to be applicable at any level, so whether your business is a multinational mega-corporation or a one-person consultancy based in your own home, you can achieve ISO certification and enjoy the benefits of this globally-recognised accreditation.

Becoming an ISO 9001-certified business can mean:

• Gaining new contracts for which you otherwise wouldn't have been considered
• Retaining existing clients who now require ISO certification
• A clearer path to business growth
• Improved efficiency and reduced waste

The drawbacks of ISO 9001 certification for small businesses

Many micro/small businesses do not seek ISO certification because of the costs involved and/or because they don't have the time to spare. This is perfectly understandable - time and money are precious, and small enterprises can rarely afford to waste either.

But getting certified may not have to be as costly and time-consuming as you imagine. Here at ISO Accelerator, we specialise in helping UK-based businesses to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification in the shortest possible timeframe, minimising costs and making the whole process virtually hassle-free.

We also provide:

• Expert advice and support
• Straightforward pricing
• Everything else you need to get certified

We can typically get you certified in approximately 7 days.

How It Works >   Get Certified >

Useful Links:

• ISO 9001:2015 handbook for small enterprises
• BSI - The Small Business Owner's Simplified Guide to ISO 9001

Photo from Pexels

The ISO 9001 standard for quality management systems is revised every few years to ensure that it remains fit for purpose and continues to reflect the requirements of the modern marketplace. The current version of the standard, which rolled out in September 2015, is known as ISO 9001:2015.

If your organisation achieved ISO 9001 certification prior to September 2015, you were probably certified under the previous version of the standard, known as ISO 9001:2008. This version is no longer in use, and the deadline to switch over (the end of September 2018) has now passed - so you might be overdue for recertification.

Differences between ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 9001:2015

ISO 9001:2015 has ten clauses, whereas ISO 9001:2008 had just eight clauses. The most recent version of ISO 9001 aims to put greater emphasis to the importance of continuous improvement.

Under ISO 9001:2008, customers were treated as the only party of interest. However, the ISO 9001:2015 standard takes others into consideration, e.g. shareholders and suppliers.

Want to get certified to the latest ISO 9001 standard? ISO Accelerator makes the certification process quick and easy - click here to get started!

How to Get Certified with ISO Accelerator >

Based in Hamble, not far from Southampton, Saunders Morgan Harris Ltd are an international surveying company who provide technical consultancy services for yachts and other marine craft. Founded in 2005 by Duncan Saunders and Hugo Morgan-Harris, SMH specialise in new build projects, restorations, loss adjusting, and non-destructive testing.

The SMH team have fine-tuned their business processes over the last decade or so, but while they themselves were confident that they knew how to achieve the highest-quality outcome for each customer, they decided that they needed ISO 9001 certification to demonstrate their quality and efficiency to potential clients.

And that's where ISO Accelerator came in. Our fast-track online certification service made it easy for SMH to get certified without the time-consuming process that this usually entails. Here's what Duncan Saunders had to say once the company had secured ISO 9001:2015 certification:

"Being an established SME, we knew that we had robust processes in place, but we needed a way to communicate this and to give confidence to new clients. ISO Accelerator's ISO 9001 certification process fitted perfectly with our needs. The process was simple, and the team at ISO Accelerator helped us to develop a QMS that meets the requirements ISO 9001:2015 while seamlessly integrating into the way that we currently work." - Duncan Saunders, Director

Want to get ISO certified quickly and easily? Click here to apply for fast-track certification with ISO Accelerator.