ISO 9001:2026 was published on 16 September 2026 and replaces ISO 9001:2015. The revised standard builds on the established ISO 9001 framework and introduces targeted updates intended to improve clarity, usability and relevance.
Understanding how the revised standard affects your organisation can feel overwhelming. Perry Johnson Registrars (UK) has prepared this simplified FAQ to help clients and prospective clients understand the transition, the UKAS transition arrangements and the practical steps organisations can take now to prepare. PJR UK can also provide further information on ISO 9001:2026 transition arrangements and available training.
ISO 9001:2026 FAQ
Why is the ISO 9001 standard changing again?
ISO 9001:2026 represents a targeted revision rather than a fundamental rewrite of the standard. The revision introduces clearer wording, a stronger focus on leadership, quality culture and ethical behaviour, greater clarity around risks and opportunities, and improved alignment with the latest Harmonized Structure for ISO management system standards. A new Annex A also provides information to help users understand the intent of the requirements.
What is the expected timeline?
The new standard was published on 16 September 2026. The GAC (this is the organisation that manages ISO 9001 certifications from a high-level perspective) has indicated that they will allow a three-year transition period and will use the “end of the month” markers for the important deadlines. This means that the ISO 9001:2015 standard will become obsolete on the 30th of September 2029. As a result, all ISO 9001:2015 certifications issued in late 2026 and beyond will have to bear an expiry date of 30 September 2029.
Companies will be permitted to gain a new certification (either through a Stage 2 or Recertification audit) to ISO 9001:2015 through March 31, 2028 (this represents the halfway point of the transition timeline). Companies will technically be permitted to perform surveillance audits to ISO 9001:2015 through 30 September 2029, subject to the applicable UKAS transition requirements and PJR UK’s certification procedures. PJR UK will advise clients of its applicable scheduling cut-off dates so that sufficient time is available for the audit, corrective action, and certification decision process.
My audits are normally due in late July, and the transition period ends in September. Why can’t my company have its transition audit in late July 2029?
Although the transition period ends on 30 September 2029, the audit should not be scheduled so close to the deadline that there is insufficient time to address any nonconformities and complete the certification decision process. PJR UK will work with clients to identify an appropriate audit date and allow sufficient time for corrective action, review, and certification decision activities.
Organisations planning a transition audit later in the transition period should agree the audit date with PJR UK sufficiently early to allow the complete certification process to be concluded by 30 September 2029.
My organisation is not yet been certified. We have been working on implementing ISO 9001:2015 for a while. Can we still seek certification to the 2015 version of the standard and then transition later?
PJR UK recognises that organisations may already have invested significant time and resources in preparing for ISO 9001:2015. However, UKAS requires certification bodies to stop accepting new applications against the previous version from 16 March 2028. Organisations considering initial certification should therefore discuss their intended certification timetable with PJR UK as early as possible.
ISO 9001:2015 will cease to be the current edition at the end of the transition period on 30 September 2029. Certificate validity and certification arrangements will be subject to the applicable UKAS requirements and PJR UK’s certification procedures. Organisations should discuss the implications for their certification cycle with PJR UK before proceeding with initial certification to the previous edition.
What if we have a Recertification audit in early 2027, should we just plan on performing that audit to ISO 9001:2026?
The timing of transition should be considered in relation to your organisation’s certification cycle and readiness. Organisations with a recertification audit in 2027 may discuss with PJR UK whether transition to ISO 9001:2026 can be incorporated into that audit, subject to applicable UKAS requirements and PJR UK’s transition arrangements.
- If your organisation has reviewed ISO 9001:2026, completed the necessary gap assessment and is ready for transition, you can discuss transitioning at your scheduled recertification audit with PJR UK.
- Aligning the transition with a scheduled recertification audit may be convenient, but organisations may also transition at another appropriate point within the permitted transition period.
- An organisation may complete its 2027 recertification audit against ISO 9001:2015, where permitted by the applicable transition arrangements, and subsequently complete a transition audit to ISO 9001:2026 before the transition deadline.
Is it better to transition earlier?
There is no general requirement for every organisation to transition immediately. However, organisations should allow sufficient time to understand the revised requirements, complete any necessary changes and address findings before the transition deadline. The appropriate timing will depend on the organisation’s readiness, certification cycle and arrangements agreed with PJR UK.
What happens if my organisation doesn’t transition on time?
If an organisation has not completed the required transition arrangements by 30 September 2029, its ISO 9001:2015 certification will no longer remain valid under the transition arrangements. The organisation should contact PJR UK promptly to understand the applicable route to certification to ISO 9001:2026.
If a transition audit has been conducted but the certification decision and associated activities cannot be completed within the applicable transition period, the organisation should discuss the implications with PJR UK. Completion of the audit alone does not guarantee continuation of accredited certification; the applicable UKAS requirements and PJR UK’s certification procedures must be satisfied.
What are the critical changes?
PJR UK has prepared information outlining the key changes in ISO 9001:2026. Overall, the revision represents a targeted evolution of ISO 9001:2015 rather than a fundamental rewrite. UKAS describes the changes as targeted updates rather than fundamental change, with many revisions focused on clarification, consistency and improved understanding. Organisations should nevertheless review the revised requirements and determine what changes are necessary to their quality management system.
What is Annex SL, and what does it have to do with ISO 9001?
Annex SL refers to the Harmonized Structure and associated drafting principles used for ISO management system standards. It provides a common structure, terminology and framework that helps organisations integrate standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
The full text of Directives Part 1, including the Annex SL portion can be found here: https://www.iso.org/sites/directives/current/consolidated/index.html
The Harmonized Structure provides a common framework for many ISO management system standards, supporting greater consistency and making it easier for organisations to integrate standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
We’ve already been certified for a long time, and our procedures are well implemented, do we have to change them?
Organisations with established ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems should not assume that a complete rewrite is necessary. ISO and UKAS describe the 2026 revision as a targeted update, with many changes focused on clarification, consistency and improved understanding. Each organisation should nevertheless carry out a documented review of the revised requirements and determine what changes, if any, are necessary to its quality management system.
Tell me more about the new “Climate Change” requirement
The consideration of climate change is not entirely new. ISO 9001:2015 was amended in 2024 to require organisations to determine whether climate change is a relevant issue in the context of the organisation and whether relevant interested parties have requirements related to climate change. ISO 9001:2026 carries this consideration forward within the revised standard.
Organisations should determine whether climate change is a relevant issue to their quality management system and whether relevant interested parties have related requirements, and should take appropriate action based on that determination.
An organisation may determine, based on its context and relevant interested parties, that climate change is not a relevant issue. The organisation should retain appropriate documented evidence of how that determination was made.
Will our staff have to complete transition training?
The training required will depend on the extent to which ISO 9001:2026 affects the organisation’s quality management system and the roles of its personnel. Organisations should determine the competence and awareness needed for personnel affected by the transition and retain appropriate evidence of training, briefing, awareness or other methods used to achieve competence.
PJR UK recommends that organisations provide appropriate awareness of the revised standard and assess its impact on relevant processes, responsibilities and personnel. The extent and method of training should be proportionate to the organisation’s needs.
What about our internal auditors, will they have to complete transitional training?
Internal auditor competence should be considered as part of the organisation’s overall competence arrangements. The organisation is responsible for determining the competence required for its internal auditors and for evaluating whether that competence has been achieved and maintained. Where ISO 9001:2026 changes affect the internal audit programme, organisations should ensure their internal auditors understand the relevant revised requirements.
The organisation should determine the appropriate extent of transition training for its internal auditors. This may include formal training, guided self-study, briefing or other suitable methods, depending on the auditor’s existing competence and the extent of change.
Will the other standards (AS9100, IATF 16949, etc.) be updated also?
Sector-specific standards that reference or align with ISO 9001 may develop their own transition arrangements. The timing and requirements for standards such as IATF 16949, AS9100 and TL 9000 should be confirmed with the relevant scheme owner or standards organisation. Organisations should not assume that the ISO 9001:2026 transition timetable automatically applies to other standards.
What steps can we take right now?
PJR UK recommends that organisations consider the following steps when preparing for transition to ISO 9001:2026:
- Review ISO 9001:2026 and perform a documented gap assessment to identify changes relevant to the organisation.
- Develop an implementation plan, including responsibilities, timescales, and priorities.
- Update documented information, processes, and other QMS arrangements where the gap assessment identifies a need for change.
- Complete appropriate awareness, competence and transition training for relevant personnel.
- Conduct an internal audit of the relevant changes and complete the management review activities required by the organisation’s QMS.
- Address relevant findings from the internal audit in accordance with the organisation’s corrective action process.
- Contact PJR UK to discuss transition arrangements, audit timing, and certification requirements.
Will extra audit time be needed for my transition audit?
Additional audit time may be required depending on the audit type, the extent of changes to the organisation’s QMS and the applicable UKAS and certification-body requirements. PJR UK will assess the circumstances and advise the client of any additional audit time required.
Where transition is planned as part of a surveillance audit, PJR UK may request information in advance to assess the extent of changes to the QMS. This information will support the determination of appropriate audit arrangements and whether additional audit time is necessary.
Where transition is planned as part of a recertification audit, PJR UK will determine the appropriate audit arrangements in accordance with the applicable certification and accreditation requirements. Clients should confirm the arrangements with PJR UK in advance.
Our organisation is considering transferring our accredited ISO 9001:2015 certification to PJR. How does the transition timeline impact our plans to transfer?
Organisations considering transfer of an accredited ISO 9001:2015 certification to PJR UK should contact PJR UK as early as possible. The transfer and subsequent transition will be subject to the applicable UKAS requirements, the organisation’s certification status and PJR UK’s transfer and transition procedures. PJR UK will assess the transfer application and advise the organisation of the applicable arrangements and timescales.
These helpful ISO 9001 transition FAQ’s are also available via download.
If you have further questions about ISO 9001:2026, transition arrangements or certification, please contact PJR UK to speak with a Project Manager.