Preparing for ISO 9001:2026 Begins with ISO 9000:2026

ISO 9000:2026 5^th Edition “Quality Management – Fundamentals and Vocabulary,” was published in May, and provides the fundamentals and vocabulary for quality management systems (QMS). It establishes the essential principles and terminology to help organizations ensure their products and services consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements. It belongs to the ISO 9000 series of standards which includes ISO 9001, ISO 19011, and ISO 9004 which are recognized and adapted globally.  While ISO 9001 lays out the specific requirements for a QMS, the others provide guidance.

ISO 9000 is not a certifiable standard, but it supports ISO 9001, by establishing the framework of core principles and common language for quality management systems. The 2026 edition updates definitions, terminology, and concepts to align with the upcoming ISO 9001:2026 (to be released in September) in order to reflect current business practices, technology, and stakeholder needs. This standard contains the terms and definitions that apply to all quality management documents and QMS standards developed by ISO/TC 176.

What’s new in ISO 9000:2026?

One of the main changes in the 2026 version is an increased content and structure with concepts expanded from 5 to 22. They are divided into two sections – Fundamental Quality Management (10), and additional relevant concepts (12). The sections on quality management principles and developing the QMS are essentially the same, but the order has switched. New terms and definitions have been added and others updated.

ISO 9000:2026 Fundamental Concepts (10):

1. Quality
2. Quality Management
3. Quality Management System
4. Quality Assurance
5. Quality Control
6. Quality Planning
7. Process Management
8. Risk-based Thinking
9. Organizational Quality Culture
10. Continual Improvement

The 12 additional/expanded concepts include:

1. Context of an Organization
2. Interested Parties
3. Integrated Management System
4. Circular Economy
5. Emerging Technology
6. Innovation
7. Change Management
8. Customer Experience
9. Knowledge Management
10. Information Management
11. People Aspects
12. Business Continuity

Why was ISO 9000:2026 revised? 

According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the reason ISO 9000 was reviewed and changed was to, “ensure the vocabulary and principles remain consistent with modern quality management approaches and the revised ISO 9001 standard, incorporating clearer terms, updated definitions, and guidance relevant to today’s organizational and technological contexts.”

What does the publication of ISO 9000:2026 mean for organizations who are certified to ISO 9001?

The publication of ISO 9000:2026 does not require organizations certified to ISO 9001 to make changes to their quality management system or undergo recertification. The changes are more conceptual, than procedural and provide insight into the direction of ISO 9001:2026.

For most organizations, these changes will be subtle. However, quality professionals, auditors, consultants, and trainers should become familiar with the revised terminology because it will become the common language used during audits and certification activities. ISO 9000:2026 provides organizations and auditors with a harmonized reference for quality management concepts and definitions. This will ensure a common language across industries and improve clarity in interpretation of ISO 9001 and other management system standards.

For more information about ISO 9000, visit ISO.org https://www.iso.org/standard/9000#lifecycle, and https://www.iso.org/standards/popular/iso-9000-family

SimpleQuE is a leader in AS, IATF® and ISO consulting, auditing and training.  Whether you are just beginning the certification process or looking for a partner for ongoing maintenance and internal audits, simpleQuE makes the process easier and more efficient. Contact us for a consult and see the difference that simpleQuE can bring to your quality management process.

SimpleQuE is not associated with the IATF®, IAOB, ANAB®, IAQG®, and is not a certification body. SimpleQuE is an independent consulting, training, and second-party auditing service provider that assists a company on a path to obtain and maintain certification through accredited certification bodies.