ISO 9001:2026 Transition Timeline
Key dates for transitioning from ISO 9001:2015 to ISO 9001:2026
ISO 9001:2026 was published on 16 September 2026. Organisations currently certified to ISO 9001:2015 now have a defined transition period in which to move to the new edition.
However, the transition does not happen immediately for certified organisations.
Before IPC can conduct accredited transition assessments to ISO 9001:2026, the requirements of the new standard must first be incorporated into the accreditation and certification arrangements. This includes the transition of the certification body's accreditation, the review and updating of relevant processes and documentation, and ensuring that personnel involved in the certification process have been appropriately trained and are competent to work with the revised standard.
This means that the transition takes place through a series of stages involving ISO, accreditation bodies, certification bodies and certified organisations.
How the Transition Works
The transition can broadly be viewed as follows:
1. ISO 9001:2026 is published
The revised standard is published by ISO and becomes the new edition of the standard.
2. Accreditation bodies transition certification bodies
Accreditation bodies establish their transition arrangements and assess the readiness of accredited certification bodies against the applicable transition requirements.
Certification bodies must demonstrate that they have appropriate arrangements in place, including the necessary processes, competence arrangements and controls for certification to ISO 9001:2026.
3. Certification bodies prepare their personnel and processes
Certification bodies must identify the changes between ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 9001:2026 and implement the necessary changes to their certification activities.
This includes ensuring that relevant personnel are trained and competent for the revised standard and the certification body's transition process.
Relevant personnel can include:
Auditors
Technical reviewers
Certification decision-makers
Contract and application reviewers
4. Certified organisations transition
Once the certification body is appropriately transitioned and able to conduct accredited transition activity, existing ISO 9001:2015 certified organisations can complete their transition to ISO 9001:2026.
The transition assessment can be conducted in conjunction with a surveillance audit, recertification audit or as a separate transition audit, depending on the circumstances and arrangements agreed with the certification body.
Key Dates
16 September 2026 – ISO 9001:2026 Published
ISO 9001:2026 was published on 16 September 2026, replacing ISO 9001:2015.
Organisations can now obtain and review the new edition and begin assessing how the changes apply to their Quality Management System.
For organisations already certified to ISO 9001:2015, there is no requirement to transition immediately on the date of publication.
31 March 2027 – Accreditation Bodies Ready to Assess
Global ACI's (formerly the IAF) transition requirements state that accreditation bodies are required to plan and prepare to assess certification bodies against ISO 9001:2026 at the earliest opportunity and no later than 31 March 2027.
Accreditation bodies must also ensure that their own relevant personnel are trained and competent for the revised standard.
This is an important stage in the overall transition process because certification bodies must first complete their own accreditation transition before they can operate under the new accredited arrangements.
30 June 2027 – Certification Body Transition Declaration
Under the Global ACI transition requirements, certification bodies are required to declare their readiness for transition to their accreditation body by 30 June 2027, together with the required supporting information.
This includes evidence relating to the certification body's transition plan, competence arrangements, certification programme, audit duration arrangements and control of certificates.
30 September 2027 – Accreditation Body Transition Decisions
Accreditation bodies are required to complete their transition decisions for certification bodies, including the issue of updated accreditation documentation, by 30 September 2027.
This provides the formal basis for certification bodies to operate under their transitioned accreditation arrangements.
From Certification Body Transition – Client Transition Assessments
Once certification bodies have completed the applicable accreditation transition arrangements, they can begin conducting accredited transition assessments for its ISO 9001:2015 certified clients.
The transition assessment may be conducted:
As part of a surveillance audit
As part of a recertification audit
As a separate transition audit
The transition assessment will consider the changed requirements of ISO 9001:2026, changes to the organisation's context and whether any other changes to the QMS are necessary.
The transition assessment may also be conducted remotely where the applicable requirements for the use of ICT are satisfied.
30 September 2029 – Final Transition Deadline
30 September 2029 is the final transition deadline.
By this date, existing accredited ISO 9001:2015 certifications must have completed their transition to ISO 9001:2026.
After the transition end date, accredited certifications to ISO 9001:2015 are no longer valid.
This does not mean that organisations should wait until 2029 to begin the process. The transition should be planned around the organisation's existing certification cycle and the availability of the appropriate transition arrangements.
What Happens to Your Existing Certificate?
Your existing ISO 9001:2015 certificate does not need to be immediately replaced simply because ISO 9001:2026 has been published.
Existing certificates can remain valid during the transition period, subject to the normal requirements of the certification cycle.
Following successful completion of the transition assessment and the applicable certification decision, the certification will be transitioned to ISO 9001:2026.
It is not necessary for existing ISO 9001:2015 certificates to be modified simply to introduce an earlier expiry date as a result of the transition requirements.
Key Dates at a Glance
STANDARD PUBLISHED
ISO 9001:2026 is published, replacing ISO 9001:2015.
TRANSITION PERIOD
Organisations currently certified to ISO 9001:2015 review their systems, implement any necessary changes and prepare for transition.
NEW CERTIFICATIONS
New and initial accredited certifications can only be issued to ISO 9001:2026.
TRANSITION DEADLINE
All existing ISO 9001:2015 certifications must have completed their transition to ISO 9001:2026.
Planning Your Transition
There is no need to wait until the final deadline to start preparing.
IPC will provide certified clients with information regarding the transition process and will work with clients to plan the transition assessment within the applicable certification arrangements.
If you are currently certified to ISO 9001:2015, now is a good time to begin reviewing the new standard and considering what the transition will mean for your organisation.
