ISO 9001 revision moves closer

An important standards update is approaching for quality managers in the food industry. The revision of ISO 9001 has entered its final stage. The Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) has been distributed to ISO’s national member bodies for a final round of voting and comments.

Final step toward publication

ISO 9001 is the global standard for quality management systems. It provides organizations with a framework for consistently delivering products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. The standard also helps improve customer satisfaction.

According to Tor Gunnar Tollefsen, Global Service Manager for Management Systems at DNV, the revision is highly significant. “ISO 9001 is the cornerstone of quality assurance across all industries. This revision is therefore important and is being closely monitored by many stakeholders.”

Regular updates are necessary to ensure the standard remains relevant in an increasingly complex and dynamic business environment.

Limited changes

The scope of the changes is considered moderate. According to DNV, the revision is significantly less extensive than the 2015 update. As a result, organizations certified to ISO 9001:2015 are not expected to face major implementation challenges.

The draft version of ISO 9001:2026 includes, among other changes, a stronger emphasis on leadership responsibility, quality culture, and ethical behavior. Risk and opportunity management are also more clearly separated. In addition, the requirements related to change management have been strengthened.

The climate change amendments introduced in 2024 have also been incorporated. Several clauses have been clarified and supplemented with additional guidance notes for users.

Preparing for the transition

Publication of the final standard is expected around September 2026. Once the revised version is released, organizations certified to ISO 9001:2015 will be required to transition within a specified timeframe.

Based on a draft proposal from Global ACI, the international accreditation body, that transition period is expected to be three years.

DNV encourages organizations to prepare early. This can be done by reviewing the new requirements, identifying where adjustments may be needed, and informing relevant employees about the changes.

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