Your safe transition to ISO 9001:2026

What the Revision Means for Certified Organizations

ISO 9001:2026 was published on September 16, 2026, and replaces the previous ISO 9001:2015 edition.

As with previous revisions, a three-year transition period is planned, meaning that ISO 9001:2015 certificates are expected to remain valid until September 30, 2029, subject to final confirmation by Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated. Organizations should start familiarizing themselves with the new requirements at an early stage, identifying areas where action may be needed and already incorporating relevant topics into their internal audit planning.

Transition audits to the new edition should be scheduled so that the transition is completed in good time before the existing ISO 9001 certificates expire and the certification decision can be clearly determined. Ideally, the transition should be integrated into the regular audit cycle:

• at the time of the planned recertification,
• at the time of a regular surveillance audit, or
• at any other chosen point in time.

Official Requirements: The binding transition rules are established by Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI, formerly IAF International Accreditation Forum).

Important to know: Certification to ISO 9001:2015 will generally only be carried out until April 2028. Certificates issued under the previous standard up to that point will have a shortened validity period ending with the transition period, expected to be September 30, 2029. It is therefore worthwhile to align your own Transition Plan with the new edition at an early stage.

Early action pays off: Planning ahead not only helps avoid a shortened certificate validity period, but also provides an opportunity to systematically strengthen and further develop your own quality management system.

Recommended Steps for a Smooth Transition to ISO 9001:2026

The revision builds on existing quality management systems, so a fundamental redesign is not required. Nevertheless, the revised requirements call for a systematic review of the existing quality management system. Organizations need to assess the extent to which the new and more clearly defined requirements are already integrated into their processes, documented information, and control mechanisms. This includes, in particular, adapting the process landscape, updating documented information, and clearly assigning responsibilities at interfaces between processes and functions.

DQS recommends planning the transition as early as possible, as internal implementation typically takes time. An initial assessment and first measures can already be carried out at this stage to identify potential areas requiring adjustment at an early point and ensure a smooth transition.

What You Can Do Today

• Familiarize yourself with the revised standard requirements – for example, by using our comparison document or attending our webinars. We will keep you regularly informed.
• Use internal audits and management reviews to identify potential areas for action at an early stage.
• Strengthen system-relevant topics, such as your performance indicator structure, processes for assessing risks and opportunities, knowledge management, and the handling of external requirements.
• Review and sharpen your strategic direction, particularly with regard to quality culture, values, and ethical behaviour.
• Provide appropriate training and awareness-building for everyone who can influence the effectiveness of your quality management system, especially your internal auditors.
• Avoid unnecessary time pressure and make the transition a structured project with a clear implementation plan.
• Strengthen your competitiveness by anticipating future requirements at an early stage.
• Position your organization as proactive and future-oriented – towards customers and other interested parties.
• Agree on all necessary steps for the transition with your customer account manager or auditor.

A Smooth Transition to ISO 9001:2026 – Conclusion

The new ISO 9001:2026 does not represent a fundamental realignment of your quality management system, but rather a targeted evolution of the existing ISO 9001:2015. Proven fundamentals such as the Harmonized Structure, the process approach, the PDCA cycle, and risk-based thinking remain unchanged, while being clarified through more precise requirements and more closely interconnected. By placing greater emphasis on strategic and external factors, quality management is more closely linked to the organization’s context and strategic direction. The more differentiated consideration of risks and opportunities, along with expanded requirements for planning changes, reduces room for interpretation and strengthens the effectiveness of the quality management system as a management tool. For organizations, this results in a clearly manageable need for adjustment.

Waiting means missing opportunities. Organizations that address the new requirements at an early stage can not only make the transition significantly more secure, but also benefit sooner from the standard’s further developments. Topics such as climate change as a context factor requiring reassessment, more active knowledge management, an embedded quality culture, and organizational resilience offer real opportunities to make the management system fit for the future.

DQS - the right partner right from the start

DQS has stood for in-depth expertise, international recognition and the highest audit quality since 1985. As the first German certification company and with the founding partners DGQ and DIN at our side, we combine standardization knowledge, practical experience and a modern understanding of auditing. Our auditors are experienced practitioners who not only want to audit, but also want to understand - and provide you with valuable impulses for the continuous improvement of your management system.

Our audit philosophy is based on going far beyond working through checklists: We ask the right questions, point out potential for improvement and create globally valid comparability and trust through independent, accredited procedures. A DQS certificate stands for quality, efficiency and active customer orientation - and is therefore a strong sign of trust, both within your organization and towards your interested parties. Take us at our word! We look forward to getting in touch with you.

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Note: For reasons of better readability, we use the generic masculine. However, the directive includes persons of all gender identities where necessary for the statement.