The revision of ISO 9001, the globally recognized quality management standard, is currently underway with a projected publication date of September 2026. This revision is crucial for organizations worldwide as it will introduce updated guidelines and requirements aimed at addressing modern challenges in quality management, technological advancements, and evolving business landscapes.
This process of updating an ISO standard follows a well-defined path, consisting of six stages, each critical to ensuring the standard’s relevance and global applicability. Let’s walk through these stages and the current status of the ISO 9001 revision.
Stages of ISO 9001:2026 Revision
1. Proposal Stage (Completed)
The journey began with the Proposal Stage, where the revision was officially proposed and agreed upon. The need for an updated standard was recognized, and the process was initiated.
2. Preparatory Stage (Completed)
Next, a Working Group (WG) of experts was formed to develop the Working Draft (WD). The draft was refined through collaboration, setting the foundation for the revision.
3. Committee Stage (In Progress)
This stage involves the review of the Committee Draft (CD) by ISO members. CD1 was rejected, and now CD2 is being prepared based on the feedback. Once consensus is reached, the draft will move to the next stage.
4. Enquiry Stage (Upcoming)
At this stage, the Draft International Standard (DIS) will be circulated to ISO member bodies for comments and voting. This is the stage where the draft is globally reviewed and refined.
5. Approval Stage (Upcoming)
If necessary, a Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) will be issued based on any technical changes made during the Enquiry Stage. This draft will undergo final voting before approval.
6. Publication Stage (Scheduled for September 2026)
The final stage is publication. Once the document is approved, it will be published as ISO 9001:2026, marking the completion of the revision process.
Timeline for ISO 9001:2026 Revision
The following is the revised timeline for the ISO 9001:2026 revision process:
- Working Draft (WD): Completed
- Committee Draft 2 (CD2) Processed: Jan - June 2025
- Draft International Standard (DIS): July 2025 - March 2026
- Final Draft International Standard (FDIS): April - June 2026 (if required)
- ISO 9001:2026 Processed and Finalized: July - September 2026
- Planned Publication Date: September 2026
The ISO 9001:2026 revision is expected to reflect the changing business landscape, integrating emerging technologies like AI and digitization, and placing a stronger emphasis on ethics, integrity, and a comprehensive customer experience. There will likely be clarifications for service providers and a renewed focus on aligning the Quality Management System with broader business processes. While major structural changes may be limited due to the high-level structure, the revision aims to modernize and address current industry needs after more than a decade of stability in ISO 9001.