The Draft of the Next ISO 9001: What It Suggests for Quality Managers
In 2025 the revision of ISO 9001 reached the draft international standard stage, the first version open to public comment. It gives the clearest view so far of the next edition.
Key points
- The draft international standard stage was reached in 2025; publication is planned for 2026.
- The draft keeps the structure, the process approach and risk-based thinking of the 2015 edition.
- A draft is not the final text, and certification continues against ISO 9001:2015.
What the draft suggests
- The climate change text of the 2024 amendment is built into clause 4
- Leadership is asked to promote quality culture and ethical behaviour
- Risks and opportunities are treated more clearly as two separate topics
- The guidance in the annex is considerably expanded
- No new mandatory procedures or documents are introduced
What it means in practice
If the final text follows the draft, organisations with a working ISO 9001:2015 system will face a moderate update. Most of the effort will go into reviewing leadership practices, the way opportunities are handled, and the awareness of staff.
What to do now
Read the draft for information, but do not change the system yet. Use the time to close weaknesses that auditors already report under the 2015 edition, and to plan training for internal auditors after publication.