Last Updated on September 25, 2025 by Hafsa J.

Introduction: ISO 9001 Steps Into Its Next Chapter

Let’s be honest—most companies only start paying attention to ISO 9001 when an audit is around the corner. I’ve seen leadership teams scramble at the last minute, rushing to update documents, train staff, and patch gaps just to keep their certification. It’s stressful, costly, and completely avoidable.

That’s why the release of the Draft International Standard (DIS) for ISO 9001:2026 on 27 August 2025 is such a big deal. This isn’t just another piece of paperwork—it’s the first real look at what the next version of the world’s most widely used quality management standard will require. And right now, it’s entered the public ballot stage, a 12-week period where national standards bodies (and indirectly, stakeholders like you) weigh in on the draft.

Here’s why this matters for you:

• You’ll see what’s changing—from climate change accountability to ethical leadership and clearer risk/opportunity management.

• You’ll understand why ISO uses the ballot process and how it shapes the final standard.

• You’ll walk away with practical steps you can take now, so you’re not stuck reacting under pressure when the 2026 edition becomes official.

The companies that start preparing during this ballot stage? They’re the ones who glide through transitions without panic—and often turn the new requirements into competitive advantages.

Why ISO 9001 Is Being Revised

Here’s the truth: ISO doesn’t launch a revision unless there’s a good reason. ISO 9001:2015 was confirmed twice and worked well for years. But by 2023, it was clear the business world had shifted in ways the standard wasn’t fully covering anymore.

• Climate and sustainability pressures: Organizations are expected to show how they’re resilient in the face of climate change. That wasn’t part of the 2015 text.

• Digital transformation: Supply chains, customer expectations, and even quality processes have gone digital—and ISO 9001 needed to catch up.

• Global risks and resilience: The pandemic, economic shocks, and geopolitical uncertainty exposed gaps in how companies assess risks and opportunities.

• Leadership and ethics: Stakeholders now demand not just compliance, but ethical and transparent leadership. The old language around leadership felt too narrow.

And here’s why this matters: ISO 9001 isn’t just any standard. It’s the foundation for sector-specific systems like ISO 13485 (medical devices), IATF 16949 (automotive), and AS9100 (aerospace). Any changes here will cascade through those industries, meaning this revision will shape compliance expectations worldwide.

So, the revision isn’t just about tweaking wording. It’s about making sure ISO 9001 stays relevant and powerful in a business landscape that’s changed dramatically since 2015.

The Public Ballot Process Explained

Think of the public ballot as ISO’s way of saying: “Here’s the draft, tell us if it actually works in the real world.”

Here’s the deal:

• On 27 August 2025, ISO put out the Draft International Standard (DIS) for ISO 9001:2026. That kicked off a 12-week review window that runs until late November 2025.

• Who’s voting? Officially, it’s national standards bodies—ANSI in the U.S., BSI in the U.K., DIN in Germany, and so on. They look at the draft, collect feedback, then cast their vote.

• But you’re not shut out. Companies, auditors, consultants—you can send feedback through your national body. Some even run open calls for comments, so if you’ve got a perspective, this is your shot.

• Why bother? Because this stage decides if the draft moves forward or stalls. If the wording’s confusing, if requirements don’t land well across industries, this is when it gets fixed.

Here’s what I’ve noticed: smart companies don’t just sit back and wait for the final version. They use the DIS as a sneak peek. Even if a few words change later, the core requirements—climate change, leadership ethics, risk and opportunity split—are already there. Getting ahead of those now is the difference between a smooth transition and a last-minute fire drill in 2029.

Key Changes in ISO 9001:2026 Draft

So what’s actually different in this draft? On paper, it’s a handful of new lines and reorganized clauses. But in practice, these tweaks push organizations toward a stronger, more future-proof quality system.

1. Climate Change Is Now Built In

The 2024 amendment about climate change isn’t a side note anymore—it’s integrated. Every organization will need to consider climate risks and opportunities as part of their QMS context. That means thinking about things like supply chain disruptions from extreme weather or customer expectations around sustainability.
Mistake to avoid: writing a generic “climate change doesn’t apply to us” statement. Auditors will expect a real evaluation, even if your conclusion is that the impact is minimal.

2. Leadership Takes on Ethics and Culture

Leadership clauses go beyond “show commitment.” Now, top management must actively promote a culture of quality and ethical behavior. This is about how leaders act, not just what’s written in policies.
Pro tip: Start weaving this into management reviews and leadership training. Culture shifts take time—you don’t want to scramble at the last minute.

3. Risk and Opportunity Get Their Own Space

Clause 6 has been reorganized so that risks and opportunities are addressed in separate sub-clauses. This might sound small, but it’s a big shift in practice. Risks protect you from failure, while opportunities push you to improve and grow. Both now need clear attention and evidence.
Example: instead of burying “opportunities” at the bottom of a risk register, you’ll need to document them as real improvement drivers.

4. Annex A Updates

Annex A—the guidance section—has been refreshed. It now reflects modern challenges like digitalization, supply chain resilience, and external stakeholder expectations. This isn’t about new requirements, but it helps auditors and companies interpret the standard consistently.

Why These Changes Matter

At first glance, the 2026 draft might feel like “just a few edits.” But here’s the thing: each of these updates pushes organizations toward bigger-picture resilience, responsibility, and trust. Let’s unpack what that really means.

Climate Change Moves Center Stage

This isn’t just about being “green.” If a storm wipes out a supplier, or if a customer demands proof of sustainable practices, it directly affects product quality and delivery. By embedding climate context into ISO 9001, ISO is making sure companies don’t treat it as an afterthought.
Bottom line: quality leaders can’t afford to ignore climate risks—they’re now tied directly to business continuity.

Leadership and Ethics as a Performance Driver

I’ve seen it happen: in companies where top management only pays lip service to ISO 9001, the system feels lifeless. Employees treat audits as box-ticking, customer complaints pile up, and morale suffers. The new wording makes it clear: leadership behavior sets the tone. Ethical, transparent leadership builds a culture where quality actually means something.
Takeaway: this isn’t about writing “we value ethics” in a policy—it’s about leaders walking the talk.

Risk and Opportunity = Smarter Planning

Most companies keep a “risk register” because ISO requires it, then file it away. Opportunities? Barely mentioned. By splitting risks and opportunities into distinct sub-clauses, ISO is saying: “Don’t just protect yourself from failure—use this system to grow.”
Real example: one manufacturer I worked with started logging opportunities separately. Within a year, they turned one “opportunity” (cross-training staff to reduce dependency) into a 15% increase in delivery reliability.

The Ripple Effect Across Industries

ISO 9001 underpins dozens of other standards. That means these changes will flow into sectors like automotive (IATF 16949), aerospace (AS9100), and medical devices (ISO 13485). If you’re in one of those industries, the 2026 update will shape your compliance path too.

Preparing for the Transition (Action Steps)

The draft is clear enough now that companies don’t need to sit back and wait. The smart move is to start preparing early, so the transition in 2026 feels like an upgrade, not a scramble.

Step 1: Run a Gap Analysis

Compare your current ISO 9001:2015 system (with the 2024 climate amendment) against the draft requirements. Look especially at how you’re handling climate context, leadership responsibilities, and the way you document risks and opportunities.

Step 2: Train and Engage Leadership

Leadership culture is going to be a focal point. Make sure top management understands the new expectations around ethics and quality culture. Update management review agendas to reflect this, and start including culture indicators in your internal discussions.

Step 3: Refresh Risk and Opportunity Registers

Don’t bury opportunities under risks. Separate them out, document them clearly, and use them to drive improvement projects. Even small wins, like cross-training staff or adopting digital tools, show auditors you’re treating opportunities seriously.

Step 4: Strengthen Documentation and Communication

Review internal policies, objectives, and communication strategies. Ask: do they reflect the values of ethical behavior, sustainability, and resilience? If not, start revising now—these shifts take time to cascade across an organization.

Step 5: Plan for the Three-Year Transition

The new standard is expected to publish in September 2026 with a three-year transition ending in 2029. Build a timeline that includes awareness training, internal audits, and certification body updates. Waiting until 2028 is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.

Step 6: Use Early Adopter Advantage

Companies that adjust early often turn compliance into a sales point. Being able to show customers that you’re already aligned with ISO 9001:2026 can strengthen trust and give you a competitive edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will ISO 9001:2026 be officially published?

The final version is expected in September 2026. After that, organizations certified to ISO 9001:2015 will have a three-year transition period—meaning you’ll need to switch over by late 2029.

Do we need to act during the ballot stage?

No one’s forcing you to, but it’s smart to start now. The Draft International Standard (DIS) is detailed enough to show where the standard is heading. If you wait until 2026, you’ll be racing against the clock, competing for consultants and auditor availability.

How long is the transition period?

You’ll have three years from the date of publication to complete the transition. That sounds like plenty of time, but in my experience, the last year is always crowded—certification bodies get overloaded, and prices go up.

Conclusion: Act Early, Stay Ahead

The public ballot for ISO 9001:2026 is more than a formality—it’s your early window into the future of quality management. The draft already shows where things are heading: climate change is now a business consideration, leadership is tied to ethics and culture, and risk and opportunity planning is sharper and more structured.

Here’s the takeaway: companies that prepare now won’t just “get through” the transition. They’ll strengthen their systems, earn customer trust, and often find new efficiencies along the way.

As someone who’s helped organizations through past ISO transitions, I can tell you the difference is clear: those who wait until the final year end up stressed, rushed, and paying more. Those who start early move through smoothly and turn compliance into a real advantage.

So don’t sit back. Start your gap analysis, get leadership engaged, and position your business for a confident move into ISO 9001:2026. The ballot may only last a few weeks, but the changes it signals will shape the next decade of quality management.