ISO 9001:2026 was officially published on September 16, 2026, as the latest edition of the international standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS), replacing ISO 9001:2015. The latest edition maintains the core foundation of quality management while strengthening several areas that are increasingly relevant to modern organizations, including quality culture, ethical behaviour, risk and opportunity, management of change, and continual improvement.
To discuss these changes, CBQA Global hosted the webinar “ISO 9001:2026 – Is Your Organization Ready for the Transition?” on September 18, 2026.
The webinar featured Zidky Yacob, GM Business Assurance at CBQA Global, and Arry Kurnia, Quality Management Expert. They discussed the key changes from the 2015 edition and how organizations can begin preparing for the ISO 9001:2026 transition.
Why Is ISO 9001 Being Revised?
The business environment continues to evolve. Digitalization, emerging technologies, changing work models, increasingly complex supply chains, and changing customer and stakeholder expectations require quality management systems to remain relevant.
The CBQA Global webinar highlighted that these changes are part of the ongoing development of quality management to ensure the standard remains aligned with the needs of modern organizations.
ISO 9001:2026: Evolution, Not Revolution
One of the key messages from the webinar is that organizations already implementing ISO 9001:2015 do not need to build their QMS from scratch.
The 2026 edition represents an evolution, not a revolution. Fundamental elements such as customer focus, process approach, risk-based thinking, leadership, PDCA, and continual improvement remain important parts of the quality management system.
This means organizations can use their existing system as a foundation and then review and strengthen the areas affected by the new requirements.
This approach can make the ISO 9001 transition more structured because organizations do not need to replace systems and processes that are already effective.
What Are the Key Changes in ISO 9001:2026?
Quality Culture and Ethical Behaviour
One of the areas receiving greater emphasis is quality culture and ethical behaviour.
Quality is not only about procedures and documentation. Top management plays an important role in building a quality culture and demonstrating appropriate behaviour.
Risk, Opportunity, and Management of Change
The approach to risk and opportunity is also clarified. At the same time, management of change becomes increasingly important
This is particularly relevant when organizations introduce changes to technology, organizational structures, suppliers, business processes, or operating models.
Harmonized Structure and Annex A
The latest edition uses the Harmonized Structure, a common structure used across various ISO management system standards.
Meanwhile, Annex A provides informative guidance to help users understand the intent and application of the requirements. Annex A does not introduce additional normative requirements but provides context behind the requirements of the standard.
How Can Organizations Prepare for the ISO 9001:2026 Transition?
For organizations currently certified to ISO 9001:2015, an important starting point is conducting a gap analysis.
In simple terms, the ISO 9001:2026 transition process can begin with:
Gap Analysis → System Adjustment → Training & Implementation → Internal Audit → Transition Audit
When Should Organizations Start Preparing?
Organizations currently certified to ISO 9001:2015 have a three-year transition period to move to the 2026 edition.
Gap analysis, system adjustments, training, implementation, internal audits, and coordination with the certification body all require time. Starting early gives organizations greater flexibility to implement changes in a structured and controlled manner.
Related article : ISO 9001 2026 Has Been Published and What Organizations Should Prepare
Prepare for ISO 9001:2026 Transition with CBQA Global
Changes to the standard provide organizations with an opportunity to review their existing systems while improving the effectiveness of their Quality Management System.
CBQA Global provides ISO 9001:2026 Training to help organizations understand the updated requirements, prepare for the transition, and strengthen their teams’ readiness to implement the latest standard.
In addition to ISO 9001:2026 Training, CBQA Global can also support organizations in understanding the changes, conducting a gap analysis, and preparing for ISO 9001 certification based on their organizational conditions and requirements.
Contact us for more information:
CBQA Global
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Email: marketing@cbqaglobal.com
WhatsApp: 08118468777
Phone: +62 21 2781 4200
