ISO 9001:2026 Transition: Dates, Changes and Your Transition Audit
ISO 9001:2026 was published on 16 September 2026. Every ISO 9001:2015 certificate must move to the new edition by 30 September 2029. Here is what changed, the dates that matter and what auditors check at your transition audit.
ISO 9001:2026 Transition Dates
You have until 30 September 2029 to transition an ISO 9001:2015 certificate. From 31 March 2028, new accredited certifications can only be issued to ISO 9001:2026. Certification bodies are assessed for the new edition through 2027, so most transition audits will take place from 2027 onwards.
| Date | What happens | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 16 September 2026 | ISO publishes ISO 9001:2026. | The transition period starts. Your 2015 certificate stays valid. |
| Through 2027 | Accreditation bodies assess certification bodies for the new edition. | Ask your certification body when it expects to be able to issue ISO 9001:2026 certificates. |
| 31 March 2028 | New accredited certifications are issued to ISO 9001:2026 only. | If you are certifying for the first time after this date, certify to the 2026 edition. |
| 30 September 2029 | End of the transition period. | ISO 9001:2015 certificates that have not transitioned are no longer valid. |
Dates are from the transition requirements published by Global ACI, the international cooperation of accreditation bodies.
What Changed in ISO 9001:2026
ISO 9001:2026 keeps the familiar structure, so most of your system carries over. The changes that need new evidence are quality culture and ethical behaviour, the split between risks and opportunities, the link between quality objectives and strategy, and climate change.
| Area | What changed | Evidence a transition auditor looks for |
|---|---|---|
| Quality culture and ethics (5.1.1, 7.3) | Moved from optional to required. | How leaders promote quality culture and ethical behaviour in practice, and whether staff are aware of it. Decisions and escalations, not a new values statement. |
| Risks and opportunities (6.1) | Split into risks (6.1.2) and opportunities (6.1.3). | Separate treatment of threats and of opportunities, with actions and follow-up for each. |
| Strategy (5.2.1) | Quality policy and objectives aligned with strategic direction. | A visible link between quality objectives and the organization's longer-term plans. |
| Climate change (4.1, 4.2) | The 2024 amendment is now part of the standard. | A documented decision on whether climate change is a relevant issue, and whether interested parties have climate-related requirements. |
| Structure and Annex A | Aligned with the Harmonized Structure; Annex A revised to clarify terms. | Consistent management across integrated systems, such as with ISO 14001 or ISO 45001. |
What Your Transition Audit Covers
A transition audit is normally combined with a scheduled surveillance or recertification audit. The auditor checks that your system meets the new and changed requirements and that they are working in practice, not just written down.
What the auditor checks
- Your gap review against ISO 9001:2026 and the actions it led to
- Evidence of leadership commitment to quality culture and ethical behaviour
- Separate treatment of risks and of opportunities in clause 6.1
- Quality policy and objectives that reflect your strategic direction
- Your climate change determination under clauses 4.1 and 4.2
- Internal audit and management review that already cover the 2026 requirements
How to plan for it
- Train internal auditors and quality leads on the new edition first
- Run one gap review across all certified sites rather than site by site
- Complete at least one internal audit and management review against the 2026 requirements
- Ask your certification body early how much audit time the transition adds
- Agree a date with your certification body well before 30 September 2029
As a certification body, Accredify Global audits your system but does not design it for you. This guide is general information, in line with our impartiality policy.
Check Your Suppliers' Transition Too
Many purchase orders and supplier quality agreements still require "ISO 9001:2015". Update the wording to accept the 2026 edition, and ask critical suppliers how and when they plan to transition.
A supplier whose certificate lapses on 30 September 2029 becomes an unapproved supplier overnight. Accredited certificates, including their status and scope, can be checked in IAF CertSearch.
Plan Your Transition With Us
Accredify Global is a UAF-accredited certification body. Certified clients can combine the transition with their next surveillance or recertification audit, and organizations moving from another certification body can transfer and transition together. Contact us to agree timing and audit duration.
ISO 9001:2026 Transition: Common Questions
When was ISO 9001:2026 published?
ISO published ISO 9001:2026 on 16 September 2026. It replaces ISO 9001:2015 and its 2024 climate change amendment.
What is the deadline to transition to ISO 9001:2026?
Under the transition requirements published by Global ACI, every accredited ISO 9001:2015 certificate must be transitioned to ISO 9001:2026 by 30 September 2029. After that date, ISO 9001:2015 certificates are no longer valid.
Can we still get certified to ISO 9001:2015?
For now, yes. From 31 March 2028, new accredited certifications can only be issued to ISO 9001:2026. A 2015 certificate issued before then must still transition by 30 September 2029.
Do we need a separate transition audit?
Not necessarily. The transition is usually carried out at a scheduled surveillance or recertification audit, with extra audit time to cover the new requirements. Your certification body confirms the audit time when it plans the visit.
What changed in ISO 9001:2026?
Quality culture and ethical behaviour became requirements, risks and opportunities are handled separately in clause 6.1, quality policy and objectives must align with strategic direction, and the climate change consideration from the 2024 amendment is part of the standard. The structure follows the Harmonized Structure.
Why can't our certification body transition us straight away?
Certification bodies must first be assessed by their accreditation body for the new edition before they can issue accredited ISO 9001:2026 certificates. That process runs through 2027, so early planning helps you get a convenient audit date.
Should we check our suppliers' certificates?
Yes. If your purchase orders or supplier quality agreements require ISO 9001:2015, update the wording and ask critical suppliers how and when they plan to transition. Accredited certificates can be checked in IAF CertSearch.
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