How will the ISO 9001:2026 standard change affect you?

The ISO 9001:2026 standard is expected to introduce several key updates and improvements to reflect the growing needs of businesses and their quality management systems (QMS).  Some of the areas should cover:

  1. Increased Focus on Digitalization: As businesses increasingly rely on technology, the new standard might include guidelines on managing digital issues, automation, and the use of data analytics. Cybersecurity, data integrity, and digital supply chains could be incorporated to address current challenges.

  2. Enhanced Risk Management: Building on the risk-based approach introduced in previous versions, ISO 9001:2026 is likely to underline risk management processes, moving organizations to anticipate and mitigate potential risks in a structured way.

  3. Sustainability and Social Responsibility: Reacting to global trends, the new standard may highlight sustainability and corporate social responsibility. This could include guidance on reducing environmental impact, aligning with sustainable development goals, and ensuring ethical practices in the supply chain.

  4. Greater Flexibility for Different Sectors: To remain relevant across various industries, ISO 9001:2026 may offer more flexibility and customization options, making it easier for service-based, digital industries to apply the standard more easily.

  5. Focus on Continuous Improvement: Continuous improvement is always a core principle of ISO 9001, the 2026 version may encourage more systematic approaches. This could involve leveraging new tools and technology for process optimization, performance measurement, and innovation.  We encourage a subscription to an online training program to improve continuous improvement (click here for more information).

  6. Alignment with Other Standards: The revision may further align ISO 9001 with other ISO standards, such as ISO 45001 (health and safety) and ISO 14001 (environmental), helping to integrate management systems and simplifying compliance.

These updates are intended to make ISO 9001 more adaptive to current business environments, enhance relevance, and ensure that organizations continue to deliver quality products and services in a changing business environment.