Climate change, sustainability, digitalisation and improved risk management. These are the themes where we expect the most important changes in the new quality standard ISO 9001:2026. The publication of the revised standard will most likely take place in September 2026. Normally, a transition period of 3 years applies. This means that if your organization is currently certified according to ISO 9001:2015, you will probably have until 2029 to implement the necessary adjustments and improvements. Start on time and maintain your certification! Below, we already guide you through the upcoming changes with a focus on five important themes.
Quality Culture
In draft publications of the standard, we see a strong focus on leadership (clause 5.1). Within the new standard, top management is expected to create a quality culture. This is because the standard is not only intended as a certificate on the wall to be proud of, but also as a tool to ensure continuous improvement within your organization. The so called Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) structure included in the management system ProActive Compliance tool can be a useful aid in this regard.
Ethical behaviour
There is also more attention for ethical behaviour. In recent years, we have seen in the news that the general standard of what is or is not considered ethical behaviour has become more outspoken. The attention for ethical behaviour as a theme aligns with this societal development. As an operational manager, it is important to think about what you are already doing to guide desired behaviour. For example, make the topic a recurring agenda item during meetings. Also, as management, set the right example by explicitly addressing certain behaviour yourself. In addition, you can organise so called “dilemma discussions” where certain scenarios or cases are introduced as discussion topics.
Climate Change
It will become mandatory for organizations to consider the relevance of climate change risks when conducting an analysis of the organization and stakeholders. The purpose is not to create far fetched connections, but to explicitly pay attention to the subject. If such an environmental analysis reveals relevant connections, these should be incorporated into the design of the management system. You will look at external and internal factors that may affect the delivery of consistent quality. Examples include:
• Extreme weather: may lead to disruptions in deliveries or production.
• Scarcity of raw materials: may result in longer delivery times and/or the need for alternative materials.
• Customer requirements: sustainability and a low carbon footprint.
What is important to remember is that ISO 9001:2026 does not require a standalone climate strategy. However, you must demonstrate whether climate is or is not relevant to your organization. You show that you have considered the subject.
Risk vs Opportunity
In the revised version of the 9001 standard, a shift is visible from thinking in terms of risks towards thinking in terms of opportunities. In ISO 9001:2015, the focus was mainly on preventing negative effects (threats). In the new publication, organizations are asked to think more from the perspective of possibilities (opportunities). The required mindset is therefore more proactive. An example could be that if your customers ask for more sustainable solutions, you offer a new product that supports this demand, such as a digital or remote service instead of, or in addition to, a physical service.
The standard requires organizations to approach opportunities just as concretely and seriously as risks. In the case of opportunities, the focus is on improvement, innovation and value creation.
Harmonized Structure
The Harmonized Structure (HS) is the fixed framework used by all modern management systems. The idea behind this is that it becomes easier to combine standards when they use the same chapter structure and core concepts. For example: quality + environment + safety. The standard requires organizations to demonstrate an understanding of relevant external and internal issues. One example is that if climate change could disrupt the supply chain, you may decide to switch to local suppliers.
Would you like to ensure that your organization maintains or successfully achieves ISO 9001 certification, without surprises during an audit? Schedule a no obligation introductory meeting and together we will explore how we can support you.
