Short answer
ISO 9001:2026 was published on 16 September 2026. Certified organisations must transition by 30 September 2029, accreditation bodies should be ready to assess against it by 31 March 2027, and from 31 March 2028 initial certifications may only be issued to the 2026 edition. Certification bodies should plan capacity, auditor training and client scheduling now.
Key takeaways
- Transition deadline for certified organisations: 30 September 2029.
- Initial certifications only to ISO 9001:2026 from 31 March 2028.
- Existing 2015 certificates stay valid until they expire or the transition ends.
- Most of the work for a certification body is capacity and competence, not paperwork.
The dates that drive your plan
Timeline
ISO 9001:2026 transition
- ISO 9001:2026 published
- Accreditation bodies readyLatest date for accreditation bodies to assess against the 2026 edition.
- Initial certifications to 2026 only
- Transition endsRemaining 2015 certificates are no longer valid.
The dates above follow the transition requirements published after release. Check the requirements that apply to your accreditation body, and any IAF mandatory document, before you commit dates to clients.
What changed in the standard
- Clearer wording throughout, with the same high-level structure as other ISO management system standards.
- More emphasis on leadership, quality culture and accountability.
- Clearer requirements on risks and opportunities.
- A new Annex A that explains key terms and the intent of requirements.
For auditors, the practical effect is that interviews and evidence about leadership and culture matter more. Auditors who were comfortable checking documented procedures need practice judging how culture shows up in records and behaviour.
Capacity: count the audits
Take your current ISO 9001 client list and place every certificate on the calendar by its next surveillance or recertification date. Most transitions can be combined with one of those visits, which keeps extra audit time small. Clients who want to transition early, and those whose cycle does not land before September 2029, need separate visits. Plot the result by quarter: the peak shows where you need extra auditors.
Competence: train before you schedule
Auditors must be competent in the 2026 edition before they audit against it. Plan training and a competence evaluation for each ISO 9001 auditor, and record it, because your accreditation body will ask how you confirmed competence.
Checklist
Certification body transition plan
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Frequently asked questions
Is an ISO 9001:2015 certificate still valid after ISO 9001:2026 was published?
Yes. Publication does not invalidate a 2015 certificate. It remains valid until it expires or until the end of the transition period on 30 September 2029, whichever comes first.