Preparing for ISO 9001:2026 – A Practical Guide
How to prepare your Quality Management System for transition
With ISO 9001:2026 now published, organisations currently certified to ISO 9001:2015 should begin planning their transition.
The transition does not mean starting your Quality Management System (QMS) again from the beginning. For most organisations, the process should involve reviewing the existing system, identifying where the revised requirements apply, making any necessary changes and ensuring those changes are effectively implemented.
This guide provides a practical approach to preparing for your transition to ISO 9001:2026.
1. Obtain and Review ISO 9001:2026
The first step is to obtain a copy of ISO 9001:2026 and familiarise yourself with the revised requirements.
Those responsible for managing the QMS should understand the changes and consider how they relate to the organisation's existing processes and arrangements.
You should avoid assuming that every change will require a change to your QMS. The impact will depend on your organisation's context, objectives, processes and existing arrangements.
2. Review Your Existing QMS
Carry out a structured review of your current QMS against ISO 9001:2026.
Consider areas such as:
Leadership and organisational culture
Quality policy and quality objectives
Risks and opportunities
Planning and management of changes
Awareness and organisational culture
Documented information
Management review
The organisation's context and interested parties
The purpose of this review is to determine which requirements are already addressed and where further action may be necessary.
3. Complete a Gap Analysis
A gap analysis can be used to formally document the results of your review.
This should identify:
Existing arrangements that already meet the revised requirements
Areas where clarification or additional evidence may be required
Any changes that need to be made
Responsibilities for implementing those changes
Target dates for completion
A gap analysis does not necessarily need to result in extensive changes. In many cases, your existing processes may already address the revised requirements.
4. Update Your QMS Where Necessary
Where the review identifies a need for change, update the relevant processes, procedures, documented information or other arrangements.
Changes should be proportionate to the needs of your organisation.
There is no requirement to rewrite documents simply because ISO 9001:2026 has been published. Existing documented information should be reviewed and amended where this is necessary to reflect the revised requirements or your organisation's actual processes.
5. Consider Training and Awareness
Ensure that relevant personnel understand any changes that affect their responsibilities.
This may include:
Changes to processes or procedures
Changes to responsibilities
Quality culture and ethical behaviour
Changes to documented information
Changes to the way risks, opportunities or organisational changes are managed
The extent of training required will depend on the nature and complexity of your organisation and the changes being implemented.
6. Implement and Monitor Changes
Any changes identified during your review should be implemented before your transition assessment.
Where appropriate, allow sufficient time for changes to become established and for records or other evidence to demonstrate that the revised arrangements are operating effectively.
Your organisation should also consider how the effectiveness of changes will be monitored and evaluated.
7. Review Your Management Review Process
Management review is an important part of demonstrating that the QMS continues to be suitable, adequate and effective.
As part of your preparation, review your existing management review process and ensure that the revised requirements are appropriately addressed.
Where changes are made, ensure that appropriate evidence is available before the transition assessment.
8. Plan Your Transition Assessment
Your transition needs to be completed within the applicable transition period.
The transition can be incorporated into your existing certification cycle, subject to the arrangements agreed with IPC.
Planning ahead is important. Do not leave the transition until the final deadline, particularly if your organisation requires significant changes or if there are multiple sites, processes or other factors that may affect the assessment.
IPC will provide certified clients with information regarding the transition process and the arrangements for completing the transition assessment.
A Practical Transition Checklist
Before your transition assessment, your organisation should consider whether you have:
Obtained ISO 9001:2026
Reviewed the revised requirements
Completed a gap analysis
Identified any necessary changes
Assigned responsibilities for implementation
Updated relevant QMS arrangements
Provided appropriate training or awareness
Implemented and monitored necessary changes
Reviewed relevant management review arrangements
Planned the timing of your transition assessment with IPC
Maintain document control throughout
Start Preparing Now
The transition to ISO 9001:2026 should be treated as a planned improvement to your existing QMS rather than a complete restart.
Starting early gives your organisation time to understand the revised requirements, identify any necessary changes and implement them in a controlled manner.
The final deadline for existing ISO 9001:2015 certified organisations to complete their transition is 30 September 2029.
IPC will continue to provide its certified clients with information as the transition arrangements progress.
