Each day we get closer to the new version of ISO 9001! The revision process, which officially began at the end of 2023, is moving at full speed and has already gone through several stages.
Because of our close relationship with companies that use the standard, we know that revisions always attract attention and even concern among professionals. The entire market begins to speculate and try to anticipate what will come next. We also know that changes can bring major shifts, better results, and new practices in the field.
That’s why we thought it would be useful to create content summarizing the official information available on the new version of ISO 9001. This way, we can support those seeking updates and help them better understand the progress of the revision process. For this article, we relied on information from TC 176, shared through official public news.
In this article, we’ll update you on the revision process and what has been officially communicated about the new version of the standard. No speculation here — just a summary of what has been disclosed by the body responsible for updating the standard. Let’s dive in!
Beginning of the Revision Project and Publication of the New ISO 9001
On August 3, 2023, TC 176 published the official results of the vote on the future of ISO 9001. In this vote, 36 members opted for revision; 25 opted to maintain the standard as is; and 17 abstained.
From there, the revision process officially began, awaiting the formation of a working group and the appointment of a project leader. Later, a timeline was published that anticipated the release of the new version of the standard at the end of 2025.
Following the normal schedule, a draft of the standard called the Working Draft (WD) was released for review. This draft received more than 2,000 comments from experts worldwide.
Given the volume of feedback, the committee decided to extend the project deadline. Initially set at 24 months, it was expanded to 36 months. The new planned release date for the updated ISO 9001 is now September 2026. Therefore, we should not expect a new version until then.
What Will Change in the New ISO 9001?
The revision process is ongoing, so TC 176 has not yet released official details on new requirements or changes. This makes sense, as everything is still under analysis and could evolve. However, we do know that the project has clear objectives, including:
- Ensuring stronger alignment with Annex SL (HLS – High-Level Structure);
- Responding to requests for interpretation of the standard received previously;
- Assessing whether current requirements are still valid and applicable;
- Evaluating the impact of climate change on ISO 9001;
- Understanding how emerging trends (including technological innovations) may influence the standard;
- Ensuring harmonization with the revision of ISO 9000:2015, conducted by ISO/TC 176/SC1 WG2.
It’s worth noting that climate change has already been included in ISO 9001 through Amendment 1, which added two new requirements:
- Organizations must determine whether climate change is a relevant issue (added to Clause 4.1);
- NOTE: Relevant interested parties may have related requirements (added to Clause 4.2).
Additionally, other interesting details came from the “SC2 Plenary Meeting – October 2023.” Two highlights were:
- Guidance material will be included in ISO 9001 for the first time, in alignment with other Management System Standards.
- ISO 9001 was included in a pilot project for ISO/IEC SMART, aiming to unleash the digital potential of international standards.
In short, this is what we can expect from the new version of ISO 9001, based on what TC 176 has officially communicated. Beyond that, we’ll have to wait.
What to Do Next?
The first point to consider is that the transition after 2026 — once the new ISO 9001 is published — will allow sufficient time (3 years) for adjustments and implementation. So, there is no reason to panic or rush.
What we can do now is wait for the release, scheduled for September 2026. For those eager for updates, it’s possible to access the draft available on ISO’s website (keeping in mind that requirements may still change). It’s also worth following official ISO/TC 176 channels for news and announcements. Currently, the revision is at its second draft, showing how much change could still occur.
Only after the official release of the new ISO 9001 will we have a clear picture of action plans, training, and adjustments required in our Quality Management Systems (QMS).
Will the New ISO 9001 Be Positive or Negative?
Of course, there will be a learning curve, potentially causing resistance, rework in processes, and the need for training. Companies will have to revise documents, train teams, adapt systems, and undergo recertification audits. This will generate transition costs and initial complexity.
However, in practice, we believe the revision of ISO 9001 will be positive for companies, clients, and users. After all, we’ve been working with the 2015 version for 10 years, and its revision can bring much more strategic relevance — introducing topics such as sustainability, digital transformation, and resilience. The QMS will gain more strength as a management tool, not just as a certification tool.
Moreover, strengthening alignment with Annex SL and with other ISO management system standards is undeniably beneficial. It will make integration with standards like ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001, etc., much easier — and has strong potential to reduce bureaucracy.
So, even though we may face challenges during the transition, the revision is expected to be beneficial in the medium and long term. It will modernize the standard and align it with today’s market needs. In short: we can expect new practices that will help us achieve better results and stronger QMS performance.
