ISO 9001 was in the scaffolding for years. Now the unveiling is getting closer and closer.

The revision of ISO 9001 has come a long way. After the first preparations, various draft versions, international commentary rounds and intensive consultation within ISO/TC 176, the new edition is almost ready. The ISO/FDIS 9001 has now been approved and the sixth edition is scheduled for publication on 16 September 2026.

The metaphor of a building that has been under scaffolding for years is actually striking. The basis of ISO 9001 remains recognizable, but the building will be refreshed, clarified and made more future-proof in parts.

No new building, but a thorough renovation

For organisations that already work with ISO 9001:2015, the transition to ISO 9001:2026 is therefore not a complete reconstruction of the quality system. The new edition builds on the existing structure and principles. The emphasis is on clearer formulations, leadership, quality culture, accountability and a more strategic approach to risks and opportunities, among other things. A new Annex A is also added to further clarify important concepts and the intention behind the requirements.

That doesn’t mean that organizations can sit back. It is precisely the transition that offers a good time to take a critical look at the existing quality management system.

Because a QMS can easily comply with ISO 9001 on paper, while in daily practice it hardly adds any more value.

So the unveiling is more than a new version

The transition to ISO 9001:2026 is an opportunity to re-ask the question:

Does our quality management system actually help the organization to achieve better results?

A good quality system should not only demonstrate that processes are controlled. It should help employees do their work well, provide management information, make risks visible, serve customers better and structurally contribute to improvement.

In addition, the new ISO 9001 is explicitly in line with developments in organizations and their environment. ISO emphasizes, among other things, the importance of trust, performance, leadership, quality culture and the effective management of risks and opportunities.

From 2015 to 2026: don’t do everything again

For organizations that are already certified according to ISO 9001:2015, it is wise not to immediately start writing all procedures, documents and forms again.

Rather, start with a targeted gap analysis.

Where are we today? What will change with ISO 9001:2026? Which parts of our QMS are already in order? Where are the actual points for improvement? And above all: which changes actually provide added value to the organization?

Based on this, a practical transition plan can be drawn up. This keeps the transition manageable and prevents the organization from spending months adjusting documents that are hardly used in practice.

ISO indicates that certified organizations will be given a transition period to switch to the new edition. For the exact transition conditions and planning, please refer to the certification body.

Bring out the Best helps with the transition

Bring out the Best can support organizations in the transition from ISO 9001:2015 to ISO 9001:2026.

This can start, for example, with a practical gap analysis of the existing quality management system. We can then determine together which adjustments are needed and which improvements are not necessary.

In doing so, we look not only at the standard, but especially at the organization behind the standard.

After all, a successful transition is not about ticking off new standard requirements. It is about quality being part of the way in which the organization is managed and its processes are carried out.

From analysis and transition plan to implementation, awareness, internal audits and preparation for the certification audit: Bring out the Best helps organisations to dismantle the scaffolding and ensure that the building is actually used properly afterwards.

Time to pull back the curtain

The scaffolding has been there for a long time. Wednesday, sept. 16 at 9:00 AM the curtain will come off.

ISO 9001:2026 is ready.

The question is then not only whether your organization is ready for the new standard, but above all:

Is your quality management system ready for the future?

Bring out the Best is happy to help you take the next step together.