ISO 9001:2026 – Certification and Transition
What happens to your ISO 9001 certification when you transition?
The publication of ISO 9001:2026 does not mean that organisations currently certified to ISO 9001:2015 need to immediately obtain a new certificate.
Existing ISO 9001:2015 certifications remain subject to the transition arrangements established by the accreditation and certification framework.
The purpose of the transition process is to allow an existing certified organisation to demonstrate that its Quality Management System (QMS) continues to meet the requirements of the revised standard.
What Happens to My Existing ISO 9001:2015 Certificate?
Your existing ISO 9001:2015 certificate can remain valid during the transition period, subject to the normal requirements of your certification cycle.
There is no requirement to immediately replace your certificate following publication of ISO 9001:2026.
The transition must, however, be completed by the final transition deadline of 30 September 2029.
After this date, accredited ISO 9001:2015 certifications will no longer be valid.
How Does Certification Transition Take Place?
The transition follows the normal principles of accredited certification.
The process broadly involves:
1. Review
Your organisation reviews ISO 9001:2026 and determines how the revised requirements apply to its QMS.
2. Implement
Any necessary changes are implemented within the QMS.
3. Transition Assessment
IPC conducts the applicable transition assessment to determine whether the revised requirements have been addressed.
4. Certification Decision
Following the assessment, the audit results and other applicable information are reviewed as part of the certification decision process.
5. Transition to ISO 9001:2026
Where the requirements for transition have been satisfied, your certification is transitioned to ISO 9001:2026.
Does the Certification Number Change?
The transition itself does not necessarily mean that an organisation requires a completely new certification identity.
IPC will manage the certification documentation and certificate arrangements in accordance with the applicable accreditation and certification body requirements.
Where a certificate is reissued or amended as part of the transition, IPC will provide the applicable documentation.
Does the Certification Cycle Start Again?
No.
Transitioning from ISO 9001:2015 to ISO 9001:2026 does not automatically mean that your organisation starts a completely new certification cycle.
The effect on your existing certification cycle will depend on how and when the transition is completed.
For example, where transition takes place during a surveillance audit, the existing certification cycle can continue subject to the applicable certification requirements.
Where transition takes place as part of a recertification audit, the certification will move into the next certification cycle in the normal way.
What Happens if the Transition Assessment Identifies Findings?
As with any certification audit, findings may be raised where the applicable requirements have not been adequately addressed.
Where this occurs, the organisation will need to take appropriate corrective action in accordance with the certification body's procedures.
The certification decision will take account of the results of the transition assessment and any other applicable information.
Organisations should therefore allow sufficient time to address any issues identified during the transition process.
Is a Separate Certificate Issued?
Once the transition has been successfully completed, IPC will provide certification documentation reflecting certification to ISO 9001:2026, in accordance with the applicable certification and accreditation requirements.
The precise administrative arrangements will depend on the circumstances of the transition and the status of the existing certification.
IPC will communicate the applicable arrangements to clients as part of the transition process.
What About Certificates That Have Not Yet Transitioned?
An organisation does not need to transition immediately when ISO 9001:2026 is published.
However, the organisation must complete its transition within the permitted transition period.
The final deadline is:
30 September 2029
After this date, ISO 9001:2015 certificates will no longer be valid as accredited certifications.
It is therefore important that organisations plan their transition sufficiently early to allow time for implementation, assessment and, where necessary, corrective action.
What About New ISO 9001 Certifications?
The transition arrangements also affect organisations seeking new ISO 9001 certification.
From 31 March 2028, new accredited ISO 9001 certifications will no longer be issued to ISO 9001:2015.
Organisations seeking initial accredited certification after this date will therefore need to be assessed against ISO 9001:2026.
Planning Your Certification Transition
Your transition should be planned around your existing certification cycle wherever possible.
You do not need to wait until 2029, and there is generally no benefit in treating the transition as a completely new certification project.
A planned approach will allow you to:
Review the revised requirements
Identify any necessary changes
Implement those changes
Allow time for the changes to become established
Complete your transition assessment
Address any findings if required
Complete the certification decision process before the final deadline
ISO 9001:2026 is a new edition of the standard, but transitioning your certification is an evolution of your existing QMS — not a requirement to start again.
