What Small Businesses Need to Know About the ISO 9001:2015 Upcoming Changes
If your small business has ISO 9001 certification or is considering it, changes are coming soon. These changes will happen in the next few years. ISO 9001, the world’s most widely adopted quality management standard, is undergoing a revision. They plan to publish the updated version in September 2026. They have already made good progress in this process.
Here’s what your business needs to know and how you can start preparing.
Why the ISO 9001 Update Matters
For small businesses, ISO 9001 is not just about meeting rules. It is a valuable tool for improving operations, reducing mistakes, and building customer trust. The new ISO 9001:2026 revision aims to keep the standard current with today’s business needs. It focuses on digital changes, new risks, and ethical practices.
The revision process is part of ISO’s regular review cycle to ensure that standards stay relevant. With technological advances, new customer expectations, and changing global conditions, this revision allows small businesses to futureproof their quality management systems.
ISO 9001 Key Expected Changes in 2026
While the final content of the revision is not yet confirmed, early insights suggest several areas of focus:
- Stronger Risk Management: Look for more guidance on finding, assessing, and reducing risks. This includes not only operational risks but also reputational and supply chain risks.
- Ethics and Integrity: New elements may require businesses to demonstrate ethical behavior and alignment with stakeholder expectations.
- Digital Integration: The new standard will likely cover how we use technologies like automation and AI. This includes decision-making and quality control.
- Customer Experience: Moving beyond satisfaction, the standard may emphasize the end-to-end customer journey.
- Service Clarity: Small service-based businesses might benefit from better-tailored requirements.
These updates will not change the main structure of ISO 9001. However, you may need to update your processes and documents to remain compliant.
What’s Going On Behind the Scenes?
ISO originally decided not to revise ISO 9001:2015 based on user feedback gathered in 2020. But after continued debate, a majority vote in 2023 reversed that decision. The revision process formally began, targeting a release by September 2026.
However, the path hasn’t been smooth. The first draft was rejected.
The team decided to outsource the second draft. This choice has led to discussions about transparency and expertise in the revision process. We expect the Draft International Standard (DIS) in June 2025, and it will offer the first clear look at the proposed changes.
What The ISO 9001:2026 Revision Means for Your Business
ISO 9001:2015 is still in effect and will likely stay that way until at least 2029. This assumes there will be a three-year transition period after the 2026 update. That gives your business time to prepare—but don’t wait until the last minute. Here’s what you can do now:
- Strengthen Your Current System: Focus on maintaining a robust, well-documented quality management system based on the current ISO 9001:2015 standard.
- Monitor the Revision Process: Stay informed about developments. Following reliable sources will help you anticipate changes and adapt early.
- Look for Strategic Alignment: Use this time to align your quality management system more closely with your business goals and customer needs.
- Build Flexibility: Foster a culture of continual improvement. This mindset will make future transitions smoother, regardless of how significant the changes are.
What are the New Climate Change Amendments for ISO Certification?
As a reminder, the ISO 9001:2015 Standard had an amendment currently in effect. The new climate change amendments are one-line additions to ISO Management System Standards, Clauses 4.1 and 4.2.
Clause 4.1 is about understanding the organization and its context. The climate change addition to this clause is, “The organization shall determine whether climate change is a relevant issue.”
Clause 4.2 is about understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties. The climate change addition to this clause is, “NOTE: Relevant interested parties can have requirements related to climate change.”
To read more about the ISO 9001 Climate Change Amendment, visit our ISO 9001 Climate Change Article.
A Chance, Not a Challenge
For small businesses, every ISO 9001 revision presents two sides: the costs of adapting and the opportunities to improve. While change can feel disruptive, it’s also a moment to reassess, reset, and refine your approach to quality.
The 2026 update may not be revolutionary, but it will likely introduce enough changes to warrant attention. The earlier you start preparing, the better positioned you’ll be to use the revision as a competitive advantage—not just a compliance hurdle.
Final Thoughts
If you are already ISO 9001 certified or thinking about it, the upcoming revision shows why quality is important. It’s not just about rules. It’s about giving better products and more reliable service. It’s also about building trust with your customers for the long term.
Contacting a small business consulting firm, like Core Business Solutions, can help you update your QMS. They can also prepare you for the transition from ISO 9001:2015 to ISO 9001:2026. Reach out to us today to learn more.
About Scott Dawson
Scott has over 25 years of Quality Management System experience as well as ISO 9001 standard development and implementation experience. From 2010-2025, Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions, was an active voting member of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to ISO Technical Committee 176 (TC 176). TAG 176 members meet to discuss and develop U.S. positions for Quality Management standards, including ISO 9001:2015, which will be revised in 2026. Our Director of Consulting Services now stays involved in the U.S. TAG 176.
