The revision of ISO 9001 – Everything you need to know now!

Important to know
In summer 2023, the ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 176 SC 2 decided to revise ISO 9001:2015. The new version ISO 9001:2026 was published on September 26th, 2026.

We will explain the most important changes, what impact the updates will have on companies, and how you can best prepare for them.

About ISO 9001: Established Quality Management Since 1987
Since its introduction in 1987, the ISO 900X series has proven to be an effective management tool in both industry and the service sector. The certification is suitable for companies of all sizes and industries. It signals reliability, meets customer requirements, and provides a crucial competitive advantage - especially in acquiring new customers and in tender processes.

The benefits of a Modern Quality Management System with ISO 9001
Competitive advantages at a glance:

• Increased customer satisfaction
• Access to new markets
• Process optimization
• Risk reduction through compliance with legal requirements

1. Expanded responsibilities of top management
   especially regarding promoting quality culture and ethical behaviour (clause 5.1)
2. Risks and opportunities are clearly separated.
   Measures to address the respective risks and opportunities are being considered separately
3. Strengthened management of changes: Requirements related to changes to the quality management system have been reinforced to support the achievement of intended results (clause 6.3)
4. Employee awareness is expanded to include the areas of quality culture and ethical behaviour (clause 7.3)
5. Internal Audits, definition of audit targets required (clause 9.2.2)
6. The revision of the standard follows the Harmonized Structure (HS).
   The HS is a further development of the High-Level Structure (HLS), on which the standard was previously based. This ensures that ISO 9001 remains compatible with other ISO management systems, such as ISO 14001 or ISO 45001.

How to prepare your company for the ISO 9001 revision
The transition to the new ISO 9001 standard will be easier if you take action at an early stage.

Conclusion: Your opportunities with the new ISO 9001
The ISO 9001 revision offers companies a great opportunity to further develop their quality management systems and secure competitive advantages. Take the chance to review your structures and plan for future requirements now. Whether in highly regulated industries, with service providers, in educational institutions, or in public administration – the revised standard will significantly influence how organizations manage their processes, shape their quality culture, and remain competitive in the long term.

To help you better understand the phases, here is a brief explanation of the respective draft stages:

• Working Draft (WD): Internal working draft within the committee (serves as a rough content orientation)
• Committee Draft (CD): First publicly visible drafts, which are commented on within the ISO committees
• Draft International Standard (DIS): Mature draft version, also released for public commenting – for the first time allowing broader participation
• Final Draft International Standard (FDIS): Nearly final version for voting without content changes – only final editorial adjustments
• International Standard (IS): Final publication by ISO – serves as the basis for certifications