Definition
What is the ISO 9001 standard?
The ISO 9001 standard is the international benchmark that sets out the requirements of a quality management system (QMS). First published in 1987 and most recently revised in 2015, it is the most widely adopted certifiable standard in the world, with more than 1.1 million organisations certified across 170+ countries.
ISO 9001 is built on seven quality management principles: customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, continual improvement, evidence-based decision making, and relationship management.
Amendment 1:2024 "Climate action" adds two new requirements to clauses 4.1 and 4.2 on climate change. A new major version, ISO 9001:2026, is expected in fall 2026 with a 3-year transition period.
Who is ISO 9001 for?
The standard applies to any organisation, regardless of size, sector, or the nature of its products and services. SMEs, service providers, public bodies, non-profits, and global groups: the standard is intentionally generic to fit any context.
Why get certified?
ISO 9001 certification helps to access demanding markets (public tenders, large contractors, international markets), structure the organisation, improve customer satisfaction, reduce nonconformities, and strengthen brand reputation.
Avg. timeline
6 to 12 months
