Understanding how ISO standards are revised is an important part of the knowledge base of quality and management systems professionals. This is because each update brings new expectations, adjustments, and themes. All of this translates into a stronger focus on improvements that directly impact how processes are structured, audited, and maintained—and, of course, how good results are achieved.
In this way, professionals who master this cycle are able to anticipate changes, guide strategic decisions, and prepare organizations for transitions with less effort and greater clarity. What may initially seem negative ultimately turns the revision of standards into a competitive advantage.
That is why today we will walk through the main stages of ISO standards revision. We will explore the overall process and understand how a new standard is created, from the decision to revise it to its final publication. If you work with a certified management system, this content is well worth your attention. So, let’s get started.
Systematic Review
According to ISO guidelines, all ISO management system standards must undergo a Systematic Review every five years after the publication of the previous version. This means that the committee responsible for the standard evaluates it to determine how—and whether—it still meets the current global context.
During this process, several factors are assessed to determine the relevance of the standard and whether changes are needed, such as:
technological advancements;
relevant regulatory changes;
user feedback (certification bodies, consultants, professionals, representatives of member countries, etc.);
new processes, issues, or aspects previously ignored or nonexistent;
among other factors.
Based on this review, a plenary vote determines the current status of the standard, which may result in three possible outcomes:
confirm the standard: the document remains unchanged, with the same text and publication year;
revise the standard: the revision process begins, leading to a new text and publication year;
withdraw the standard: the standard is discontinued and will no longer be updated.
If the committee decides to revise the standard, a working group is established to carry out the process, officially initiating the revision of the standard.
Preparatory Stage and Working Draft – First Working Version
Within the working group, experts from around the world review the standard clause by clause. At this stage, they may update terminology, remove obsolete requirements, introduce new ones, or even reorganize the structure of the standard—provided it remains compliant with Annex SL.
This phase may involve several drafts until the group considers the text mature enough for broader consultation. At this point, the draft is used only internally by the revision group and those directly involved. Once completed, the process moves on to wider review stages.
Understanding the Drafts of the New Version
After the preparatory stage, the first version of the standard is ready to be evaluated internationally. A broader approval phase begins, involving three main types of drafts designed to ensure improvement and comprehensiveness. The process can be summarized as follows:
Committee Draft (CD): the first official draft of the standard, sent to member countries for formal comments. This stage can generate dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of comments and suggestions. The technical group reviews all feedback and revises the text as necessary;
Draft International Standard (DIS): after revisions, the draft is submitted to an international vote. Members may vote “yes,” “yes with comments,” or “no.” A qualified majority is required to proceed, and any relevant comments lead to further adjustments;
Final Draft International Standard (FDIS): this is essentially the final version of the standard. Only minor editorial adjustments (such as typos, formatting, or abbreviations) may be made before the final vote.
A standard may pass through the same draft stage more than once. For example, if extensive feedback is received during the Committee Draft stage, a second Committee Draft may be issued. Once approved, the standard moves on to publication.
Publication of the Standard: International Standard
After completing all stages, reviews, votes, and approvals, the standard is ready for publication. ISO then releases the new edition, updating the standard’s title to reflect the year of publication—for example, from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015.
At this point, the document is no longer a draft and officially becomes an International Standard. The new version is globally recognized and must be adopted after a defined transition period (typically three years).
Revision of ISO Standards – The Necessary Complexity Behind Each Context
By analyzing the ISO standards revision process, it becomes clear how complex and comprehensive it is—robust and challenging at the same time.
The multiple stages and drafts balance the need for technical rigor with the commitment to capturing diverse contributions from experts worldwide. This diversity ensures technical and conceptual maturity but also makes the process slower, more complex, and subject to lengthy debates—an essential safeguard against oversimplification or superficial revisions.
It is precisely this combination of depth, international consensus, and methodological care that ensures each new edition delivers more precise, coherent requirements aligned with the current demands of society and modern management. All of this is structured within a clear, organized, and systematic process. That is why each new version is better and more modern—and why we continue to evolve with every transition.
