The next revision of ISO 9001 is expected in September 2026. While the final draft has not yet been formally published, industry discussions and committee commentary suggest two dominant themes:
- Supply Chain Resilience
- Stronger ESG alignment
If accurate, this represents a structural shift rather than a cosmetic update. Organisations that treat this as a minor wording refresh will struggle. Those that prepare now will transition with minimal friction.
This is the “September Shift”.
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A Brief Context: Where We’re Moving From
The current version, ISO 9001:2015, emphasised:
- Risk-based thinking
- Organisational context
- Leadership accountability
- Process control and performance monitoring
The 2026 revision appears set to deepen the risk model — particularly across extended supply chains — while aligning more explicitly with ESG expectations.
This is consistent with the broader direction of the International Organization for Standardization, which has been integrating sustainability and resilience themes across multiple management system standards.
The Heavy Focus: Supply Chain Resilience
Over the last five years, global supply chains have been tested by:
- Geopolitical instability
- Pandemic disruption
- Energy volatility
- Logistics breakdowns
- Raw material shortages
Many ISO 9001-certified organisations discovered a gap: they had approved supplier lists — but not resilient supply networks.
What’s Likely to Change
Expect increased emphasis on:
- Tier 2 and Tier 3 supplier visibility
- Contingency planning beyond single-source suppliers
- Formalised disruption response frameworks
- Performance metrics tied to supplier continuity
- Integration between purchasing, risk management, and operational planning
Supplier evaluation may evolve from “quality performance monitoring” to “operational continuity assurance”.
The ESG Alignment Component
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting is no longer optional for many sectors. Even SMEs are being pulled into ESG frameworks through customer requirements.
The upcoming revision may:
- Link quality objectives to sustainability performance
- Require clearer governance transparency
- Integrate ethical sourcing expectations
- Strengthen documentation around responsible procurement
This does not mean ISO 9001 becomes an environmental standard. That remains the domain of ISO 14001:2015.
However, quality management systems will likely need to demonstrate alignment with broader sustainability expectations.
The Strategy: Conduct a “Resilience Stress Test” Now
Waiting until Autumn 2026 to react is a strategic mistake. Transition periods are typically tight, and certification bodies will move quickly once guidance is published.
Instead, begin a structured Resilience Stress Test across your QMS.
1. Map Critical Supply Dependencies
- Identify single-source suppliers
- Flag suppliers operating in high-risk geographies
- Assess financial stability where possible
- Review contract clauses for continuity protections
Ask: If this supplier failed tomorrow, what happens?
2. Test Your Business Continuity in Practice
You likely have a Business Continuity Plan.
But:
- Has it been simulated?
- Does it include supply chain disruption scenarios?
- Are roles and escalation pathways clearly defined?
Run a tabletop disruption exercise and document findings.
3. Align Quality Objectives with ESG Indicators
Review current objectives under Clause 6.
Consider introducing measurable indicators such as:
- % of suppliers assessed for sustainability risk
- Supplier on-time performance during disruption
- Ethical sourcing verification rate
This future-proofs your management review process.
4. Reassess Supplier Evaluation Criteria
Move beyond:
- Cost
- Delivery
- Defect rate
Add resilience criteria:
- Geographic diversification
- Backup manufacturing capacity
- Cybersecurity maturity
- Environmental compliance history
Document the rationale. Auditors will expect traceability.
5. Strengthen Risk-Based Thinking
Risk registers should extend beyond internal operational risks to:
- Upstream material shortages
- Regulatory shifts
- Climate-related supply interruption
- Social governance breaches within the supply chain
If risk-based thinking was treated as paperwork in 2015, it will not be sufficient in 2026.
Why Early Preparation Matters
When the new standard drops:
- Certification bodies will issue transition guidance.
- Auditors will expect awareness and a migration plan.
- Clients may start asking about compliance before audits occur.
Organisations that have already stress-tested resilience will only need minor alignment adjustments.
Those who have not will face:
- Reactive documentation updates
- Supplier requalification under time pressure
- Increased audit findings
- Potential commercial risk
Final Position
ISO 9001:2026 is unlikely to reinvent quality management. It will, however, recalibrate it toward systemic resilience and responsible governance.
The companies that succeed will not wait for the final published clauses.
They will begin now.
Conduct your Resilience Stress Test.
Strengthen supplier intelligence.
Embed ESG considerations into your objectives.
When September arrives, your transition should be administrative — not structural.
Prepare for ISO 9001:2026 Before It Prepares You
Don’t wait for the September shift to expose gaps in your supply chain resilience or ESG alignment. Start your Resilience Stress Test now and move into 2026 audit-ready.
