ISO 9001:2026 was published in September 2026
ISO 9001:2026 transition for Malaysian companies
If your company holds an ISO 9001:2015 certificate, you will need to move to the new version within the transition period. We update your quality management system for the 2026 changes and prepare you for the transition audit.
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What changes in ISO 9001:2026
The 10-clause structure stays the same, so a well-maintained ISO 9001:2015 system carries over. The transition is an update to your existing system, focused on these areas.
Clauses 5 and 7
Quality culture and ethical behaviour
Top management is expected to actively promote a quality culture, integrity and ethical behaviour, and staff awareness now covers them. Auditors will look for evidence of this in leadership activity, not only in the quality policy.
Clause 4
Climate change in your context
You determine whether climate change is a relevant issue for your quality management system, and whether interested parties have climate-related requirements. This was introduced by the 2024 amendment to ISO 9001:2015 and is carried into the 2026 edition.
Clause 6.1
Risks and opportunities, separated
Clause 6.1 is split into sub-clauses, so risks and opportunities are addressed separately rather than as one combined list. Most risk registers need restructuring rather than replacing.
Structure
Updated Harmonized Structure
The standard follows the latest common structure for ISO management system standards. It keeps the same 10 clauses, which also keeps integration with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 straightforward.
Who needs to act
Already certified to ISO 9001:2015
Plan the transition with your certification body now. The transition can often be combined with a scheduled surveillance or recertification audit, and updating your system early leaves time to close any gaps before the audit.
Not certified yet
If a tender or customer needs ISO 9001 now, certify to ISO 9001:2015. We build your system so it carries over to 2026. ISO 9001 certification in Malaysia
How we prepare you for the transition
A focused update to the system you already run. Transition support is quoted after we review your current system.
- 1
Transition gap assessment
We review your current ISO 9001:2015 system against the 2026 changes and list exactly what needs updating.
- 2
Update your documentation
Context analysis including climate change, a restructured risk and opportunity register, leadership and quality culture records, and updated awareness material.
- 3
Brief your managers and internal auditors
Short, practical sessions so the people who run and audit the system understand what changed and what auditors will ask.
- 4
Internal audit and management review
An internal audit against ISO 9001:2026 and a management review, so any gaps are closed before your certification body visits.
- 5
Transition audit support
We help you plan the transition with your certification body and support you during the audit and any follow-up on findings.
ISO 9001:2026 transition questions
When do I need to transition to ISO 9001:2026?
Within the transition period, which is expected to run for about three years from publication, to around September 2029. Your certification body will confirm the exact deadline and when it can audit against the new version.
Is my ISO 9001:2015 certificate still valid?
Yes. ISO 9001:2015 certificates remain valid during the transition period. A certificate that has not been transitioned to ISO 9001:2026 by the end of the transition period is expected to lose its validity.
Can I still get certified to ISO 9001:2015?
Yes. Certification bodies must first be accredited to audit ISO 9001:2026, so certification today is still to ISO 9001:2015, and 2026 certificates are expected from around mid-2027. If a tender or customer needs ISO 9001 now, certify to 2015 with a system built to carry over to 2026.
Do I need a separate audit for the transition?
Not always. The transition can often be combined with a scheduled surveillance or recertification audit, sometimes with extra audit time. Your certification body decides how it handles your transition, so ask it early.
Does AA Alive issue the ISO 9001:2026 certificate?
No. Certificates are issued by an accredited certification body after its audit. As consultants, we prepare your quality management system and your team for that audit.
Sources: ISO 9001:2026 (ISO), ISO 9001:2026: what businesses need to know (ISO). Transition dates follow certification body guidance and may be confirmed by accreditation bodies.