ISO 9001:2026 – How Will the Transition Audit Work?
Understanding the transition assessment from ISO 9001:2015 to ISO 9001:2026
If your organisation is currently certified to ISO 9001:2015, you will need to complete a transition assessment to move your certification to ISO 9001:2026.
The transition assessment is not intended to mean starting the certification process again. Instead, it provides a structured assessment of the changes introduced by ISO 9001:2026 and how they have been addressed within your Quality Management System (QMS).
How Can the Transition Assessment Be Conducted?
The transition assessment can be conducted in one of three ways:
During a Surveillance Audit
The transition assessment can be incorporated into a scheduled surveillance audit.
This can allow the transition activity to take place alongside the normal assessment of your QMS, avoiding the need for a completely separate audit where appropriate.
During a Recertification Audit
Where your organisation is approaching the end of its current certification cycle, the transition can be incorporated into the recertification audit.
This provides an opportunity to assess the QMS against ISO 9001:2026 as part of the next certification cycle.
As a Separate Transition Audit
A separate transition audit can also be conducted where this is appropriate.
This may be useful where an organisation wishes to transition before its next scheduled surveillance or recertification audit.
The appropriate approach will depend on your certification cycle and individual circumstances.
What Will the Auditor Assess?
The transition assessment will focus on the changes introduced by ISO 9001:2026 and their application within your organisation.
The assessment will include consideration of:
The changed requirements of ISO 9001:2026
Changes to your organisation's context
Changes to relevant processes and arrangements
Whether other changes to your QMS are necessary
Evidence that identified changes have been implemented where applicable
The auditor will consider your organisation's existing QMS rather than expecting the entire system to be redesigned.
Do I Need to Rewrite My QMS?
No.
There is no general requirement to rewrite your Quality Management System simply because the standard has changed.
Where your existing processes already address the revised requirements, they may not need to be changed.
Where the transition review identifies a gap or an area requiring modification, the relevant part of the QMS should be updated appropriately.
The extent of change will depend on your organisation's context, processes and existing QMS.
Will Additional Audit Time Be Required?
Additional audit time may be required, depending on the circumstances in accordance with in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 and IAF MD 5 (Global ACI TECH-3-004).
The certification body must consider the extent of change to the client's management system and whether the transition assessment is being conducted alongside another audit or as a separate audit.
The amount of additional time required will therefore vary between organisations.
For some organisations, the existing audit duration may be sufficient. For others, additional time may be necessary to adequately assess the transition.
IPC will consider the applicable requirements when planning your transition assessment.
Can the Transition Assessment Be Remote?
A transition assessment may be conducted remotely using appropriate information and communication technology where the applicable requirements are satisfied and the objectives of the assessment can be achieved.
Whether remote assessment is appropriate will depend on the circumstances of the audit and the organisation being assessed.
IPC will determine the appropriate audit arrangements based on the applicable requirements and the circumstances of the certification.
What Happens if Changes Have Not Been Fully Implemented?
The transition assessment is an assessment of your QMS against the requirements of ISO 9001:2026.
Where the assessment identifies areas that do not meet the applicable requirements, these will be addressed through the normal certification process.
Depending on the nature and significance of the findings, further action or evidence may be required before a transition certification decision can be made.
Your organisation should therefore allow sufficient time to implement any necessary changes before the transition assessment.
What Happens After the Transition Assessment?
Following the transition assessment, the audit findings and other applicable information will be reviewed as part of the certification decision process.
Where the requirements for transition have been satisfied, the certification can be transitioned to ISO 9001:2026.
Your certification will then be maintained under the applicable certification arrangements for the new edition.
Planning Your Transition Audit
The transition assessment should be planned as part of your overall transition programme.
Before the assessment, your organisation should have:
Reviewed ISO 9001:2026
Identified how the revised requirements apply to your organisation
Completed an appropriate gap analysis
Implemented any necessary changes
Ensured relevant personnel are aware of changes affecting them
Reviewed relevant documented information
Allowed sufficient time for the changes to become established
Considered evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of the revised arrangements
IPC will work with certified clients to determine the appropriate timing and arrangements for the transition assessment.
The transition assessment is an assessment of the changes — not a requirement to start your QMS again.
With appropriate planning, most organisations should be able to approach the transition as a controlled update to their existing management system.
