ISO 9001:2026 Draft Update
What we know so far and what it means for certified organizations
Status as of January 2026 – First Impressions
This is a Draft copy, released in August 27, 2025 is supposed to be the 6th edition of iso 9001 to replace the previous edition 2025 which was the 5th edition.
Here is what the draft says:
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
According to the draft, voting opened on August 27, 2025 and closed on November 19, 2025, so that phase is now complete. We’re currently awaiting the Final Draft, which is expected around March 2026, followed by additional revisions and voting, with a projected publication around September 2026.
ISO explains that this revision is part of their normal review cycle to keep the standard relevant. After a global consultation in 2023, there was consensus that updating ISO 9001 would better reflect today’s business realities and user needs.
As with previous revisions, ISO has already indicated that certified organizations will be given a transition period, expected to be around three years.
Why is the standard being revised?
- ISO claims that to maintain relevance, they need to conduct periodic reviews. After global consultation in 2023, a consensus confirmed that revising the standard would enhance its value, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of users and their communities.
- ISO also claims that the new edition presents an opportunity to review and refine your quality management system, and that certified organizations will have a transition period to adapt.
Evolution of ISO 9001
Just as a quick reminder of the evolution:
- 1987 was the first edition
- 1994 the second
- 2000 the third
- 2008 the fourth
- 2015 the fifth
- and 2026 is expected to be the sixth edition
More Updates Coming Soon
We’ll be sharing more insights as we continue reviewing the draft here at Mireaux Management Solutions, so stay tuned—you’ll be hearing more from us very soon.
