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The upcoming revision of ISO 9001, slated for release in late 2026, was recently released internally to ISO member bodies; this update is likely to introduce strategic enhancements that reflect the changing global quality landscape, with increased emphasis on ethics, sustainability, digitalization, and proactive improvement. While the document is not yet public, there are some key changes that have been discussed with industry experts.
Below is a clause-by-clause breakdown of the most impactful proposed changes from what we know thus far, along with practical insights for implementation.
What’s new: Organizations must now consider climate change as a relevant external issue per Clause 4.
Implication: This aligns quality management with broader ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals. Companies will need to assess how climate risks and disruptions impact their operations and quality objectives.
What’s new: Leadership must actively promote a culture of quality and ethical conduct per Clause 5.
Implication: Ethical behavior and quality-first thinking must be embedded into decision-making, communications, and performance evaluations from top to bottom of the organization. Expect to revise leadership training and internal messaging to reflect these values.
What’s new: Risks and opportunities must be evaluated and have plans prepared in place for action, not just identification, per Clause 6. Planning for changes now includes structured review and communication.
Implication: Organizations will need to adopt formal frameworks for assessing and prioritizing risks and opportunities. This may involve scoring models, decision matrices, and strategic planning tools.
What’s new: Similar to Clause 5, there is now an expanded focus on organizational knowledge, including retention, sharing, and application, along with focus on organizational quality culture and behaviors.
Implication: Companies should implement knowledge-sharing platforms and ensure processes and tools are successfully integrated into QMS operations.
While it is still in its draft stages, companies can use these clause revisions and start preparing to adapt to ISO 9001:2026. Start by evaluating gaps in their current QMS, especially around ethics, climate impact, and digital readiness. Leadership must actively promote a quality-focused culture, while risk and opportunity planning should become more structured. Integrating digital tools will also be key. These changes not only ensure compliance but position organizations for long-term resilience and growth.
To prepare for these upcoming changes to ISO 9001, consider using an eQMS that automates and centralizes quality processes. PSC Software’s eQMS, ACE, digitizes risk and opportunity evaluations and supports configurable and validated workflows, ensuring traceability across operations. ACE also has modules that simplify document control, supplier management, and customer feedback collection, which are key areas emphasized in the updated standard. Reach out to us today for more information how we can help your organization.
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