# ISO 9001:2026 is published: what changed and how to transition

> ISO 9001:2026 was published in September 2026. Here are the key changes: quality culture, risk, change management, knowledge and climate, and a practical transition plan.

URL: https://securei3.com/insights/iso-9001-2026-whats-changed/
Author: Secure iQube
Published: 2026-10-14

ISO 9001:2026 was published on 16 September 2026, replacing ISO 9001:2015. The transition deadline is **30 September 2029**, the date ISO 9001:2015 certificates stop being valid, and from **31 March 2028** new certifications can only be issued to the 2026 edition. For certified organisations the structure will feel familiar (this is an evolution, not a rewrite) but several themes need real attention.

## Five changes that matter

- **Quality culture and ethical behaviour.** Top management is expected to promote a culture of quality, accountability and integrity, not just set a policy.
- **Risks and opportunities.** Expect auditors to look for genuine analysis and prioritisation, not a static register.
- **Planning of changes.** Significant changes affecting quality must be planned, communicated, monitored and reviewed.
- **Organisational knowledge.** Knowledge needs to be identified, retained, shared and applied deliberately.
- **Climate change.** Following the 2024 amendment to ISO management system standards, climate-related issues must be considered where relevant to your context.

## A practical transition plan

1. **Run a delta gap assessment** against the new clauses.
2. **Update context, risk and change processes** first; these drive everything else.
3. **Brief leadership** on culture and ethics expectations, they will be interviewed.
4. **Update internal audit checklists** and train auditors on the changes.
5. **Agree a transition audit date** with your certification body, ideally at your next surveillance visit.

We run a one-day [ISO 9001:2026 transition workshop](/training/iso-9001-2026-transition/) and fixed-scope [transition gap assessments](/services/gap-assessment/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Do we need to recertify from scratch?

No. Transition is normally done at a scheduled surveillance or recertification audit, with additional audit time to cover the changes.

### How long is the transition period?

Until 30 September 2029. New certifications must use ISO 9001:2026 from 31 March 2028.