ISO 9001:2026 is coming

What to expect and how to prepare with confidence

The evolution from ISO 9001:2015 to ISO 9001:2026 marks an important step forward for organizations committed to quality, resilience and responsible business practices. Although the new version has not yet been published, early drafts already offer a clear view of the themes and expectations that will shape the updated standard.

For quality managers, compliance officers, IT leaders and regulatory affairs professionals, this transition raises natural questions: What will change? How will it affect certification? Will the shift require major system updates or disrupt daily operations?

This article provides clarity, reassurance and practical guidance on how to navigate this transition in a secure, efficient and future-proof manner.

What will change in ISO 9001:2026

Early indications show that ISO 9001:2026 will continue to build on the solid foundations of the 2015 version. The Annex SL structure remains, but new drafts point toward modernizations that reflect today’s business environment and quality culture expectations. Final publication is anticipated in late 2026, followed by a three-year transition window to 2029.

Key areas of expected evolution

Enhanced risk-based thinking – Organizations will be expected to move beyond basic risk identification toward more integrated and sophisticated approaches that include risk appetite definition, scenario planning and coordinated risk management across processes.

Digital transformation integration – The new version is likely to address digital process management, data governance, cybersecurity and technology-enabled quality management. For many organizations, this will require assessing digital maturity and ensuring that quality data flows are accurate, secure and traceable.

Sustainability and social responsibility – Environmental considerations, responsible business practices and sustainable development will likely have a stronger presence in the revised requirements.

Stronger stakeholder engagement – Stakeholder mapping will expand beyond traditional customers and suppliers to include communities, regulators and other interested parties who influence or are influenced by quality outcomes.

Performance management evolution – Performance evaluation is expected to include outcome-based indicators, predictive analytics and real-time monitoring capabilities that demonstrate value creation for all stakeholders.

What this means for organizations

The transition to ISO 9001:2026 is not only about compliance. It is a strategic opportunity to strengthen quality culture, reinforce business resilience and modernize management systems. Early preparation is essential to avoid certification gaps, maintain operational continuity and ensure that the updated requirements can be integrated smoothly.

How to handle the transition for compliance, efficiency and business continuity

A successful transition to ISO 9001:2026 depends on early planning and structured change management. Treating the update as a strategic initiative rather than a check-the-box exercise allows organizations to build stronger capabilities and reduce risks.

Practical steps to prepare now

• Start reviewing environmental and sustainability influences in your business context.
• Reassess risk and opportunity processes with a more integrated and scenario-based approach.
• Plan for updated training to ensure staff awareness of new expectations.
• Review documentation structures as clause references may change.
• Update audit programs to reflect new performance and risk-related requirements.
• Strengthen leadership involvement in improvement cycles and quality culture initiatives.
• Establish a transition team early and plan progressively through 2026 to avoid disruptions.

BPA Solutions supports each of these steps through automation, structured workflows, centralized reporting and a modern Microsoft 365-based architecture that ensures secure and efficient compliance.

How BPA helps organizations align with ISO 9001:2026

BPA Solutions has been designed from the beginning to help organizations build a robust, intelligent and adaptable quality management ecosystem. The platform integrates risk management, document control, sustainability tracking, process automation, audits and training within Microsoft 365, which allows organizations to operate securely, efficiently and at scale. As the ISO 9001:2026 expectations become clearer, BPA already offers the capabilities needed to meet them.

Strengthening sustainability and environmental considerations – BPA’s sustainability tools support environmental influence analysis and responsible business practices. Learn more >

Reinforcing modern risk-based thinking – BPA Risk Management allows organizations to revisit and improve how risks and opportunities are identified, assessed and addressed within planning activities. Learn more >

Refreshing awareness and training – If new requirements call for updated awareness, BPA Training Management helps teams manage, track and document training activities efficiently. Learn more >

Ensuring full document traceability – As clause references and requirement structures shift, BPA Document Control maintains complete traceability, version control and audit-ready documentation. Learn more >

Updating audits and internal assurance – Audit criteria and objectives may evolve with the new structure of ISO 9001:2026. BPA Audit Management ensures that internal audits remain aligned, effective and evidence-driven. Learn more >

Reinforcing leadership and improvement cycles – With ISO 9001:2026 expected to place greater emphasis on culture and ethics, BPA Process Management helps organizations document how leadership influences improvement, accountability and performance. Learn more >

By integrating these modules, organizations unlock continuous improvement, end-to-end traceability, secure data governance and advanced analytics. This directly supports the expected new directions of ISO 9001:2026.

Moving forward with confidence toward ISO 9001:2026

The upcoming ISO 9001:2026 revision reflects the realities of modern organizations. It emphasizes digital readiness, environmental responsibility, ethical behavior, risk intelligence and stakeholder value. By preparing early and leveraging a reliable, integrated quality management platform, organizations can transition smoothly and turn this change into an opportunity for growth and resilience.