ISO 9001:2026 – the new version of the ISO 9001 standard for quality management systems – was published on 16th September 2026. The previous version, ISO 9001:2015, has now been withdrawn. However, this doesn't mean that your ISO 9001:2015 certificate is now invalid.
If you're certified through ISO Accelerator and currently hold ISO 9001:2015 certification, you have until 29th September 2029 (approximately three years from now) to complete your ISO 9001:2026 transition.
What will the transition to ISO 9001:2026 involve?
In order to keep your ISO 9001 certification valid beyond September 2029, you will need to ensure that your quality management system (QMS) conforms to the newly-published ISO 9001:2026 standard.
While the core purpose of ISO 9001 hasn't changed, there are some differences between the old and new versions that you may need to account for. For example, ISO 9001:2026 puts greater emphasis on...
- Leadership accountability
- Ethical behaviour
- Fostering a culture of quality throughout your whole organisation
- Sustainability
- Continual improvement
- Opportunities (pursuing success instead of merely avoiding failure)
- Resilience and future-readiness
Before you do anything else, speak to your certification body – they will be able to guide you through the transition process and help you to stay certified as ISO 9001:2015 is consigned to the past.
If your ISO 9001 certification was obtained through ISO Accelerator, you can contact us here to discuss your ISO 9001:2026 transition timetable.
