FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON ISO TRANSITION

What happens to ISO 9001:2015 certificates if the standard is revised in 2026?

Organizations certified by CIP to ISO 9001:2015 that intend to maintain their certified status need to undergo a transition audit against the requirements of ISO 9001:2026. Prior to this transition audit, an organization needs to: 1) understand the requirements in the 2026 edition, 2) do a gap analysis between its current QMS and the requirements under the new edition, 3) address gaps, if any, by incorporating in the QMS the needed actions, 4) implement the QMS as transitioned to the 2026 edition of the standard, 5) assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the performance of the transitioned QMS with internal audits and management reviews, 6) depending on the level of readiness of the QMS and the organization, apply to CIP for a transition audit of the QMS, and 7) undergo the transition audit.

A successful transition audit will lead to the issuance by CIP of a new Certificate of Registration under ISO 9001:2026. In the case of other revised ISO management system standards, like ISO 14001:2026 to be released in April 2026, the transition audit process described above applies to ISO 14001:2015 certified organizations.

What is a transition audit?

When an ISO management system standard is revised, a transition audit is required to bring certified management systems to the level of the new edition of the standard. For example: an organization certified to ISO 9001:2015 which intends to remain certified to ISO 9001 needs to undergo a transition audit to ISO 9001:2026 within a three-year transition period, starting from its release date in September 2026. In the case of ISO 14001:2026 edition, its release is expected in April 2026.

The exact dates of the transition period from 2026 to 2029 will be announced by ISO and the International Accreditation Forum in due course. These dates will be communicated by CIP to its QMS- and EMS-certified clients.

What happens to the ISO 9001:2015 certificate of an organization that does not undergo a transition audit to ISO 9001:2026?

If by the end of the three-year transition period a certified organization has not undergone, or chooses not to undergo, a transition audit to ISO 9001:2026, its ISO 9001:2015 certificate will expire. Even if it still has a remaining validity period, the ISO 9001:2015 certificate will become void; the reason for this is that the ISO 9001:2015 edition will cease to exist at the end of the transition period.

An organization can not be certified to a non-existing standard. The same is true for ISO 14001:2015 certificates. An audit to the 2026 edition of the standard that takes place beyond the three-year transition period is not deemed a transition audit. Instead it is a full initial audit, entailing Stage 1 and Stage 2.

Between the start and end of the transition period for ISO 9001:2026, what is the status of ISO 9001:2015?

During the three-year transition period, ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 9001:2026 exist side by side. Depending on its situation and business needs, an organization may continue using ISO 9001:2015 as its management framework. If its QMS is certified, the organization may continue its surveillance audits to ISO 9001:2015 to maintain its certified status, provided such audits do not occur beyond the transition period.

What is the best time to undergo a transition audit for a QMS or EMS certified by CIP?

It is for the organization to decide when to undergo a transition audit. When it deems its QMS or EMS is fully converted from the 2015 to the 2026 edition of ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 and is ready to undergo a transition audit, an organization needs to formally apply to CIP for this audit. A successful transition audit normally coincides with the organization’s annual surveillance audit or reassessment falling within the transition period.

What is expected from the 2026 revisions to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001?

Based on the planned revisions to these two standards, no new major requirements are expected. Certified organizations are not expected to experience a burdensome task. The revised standards are anticipated to be more user-friendly, with simplification of some wordings and minor changes in the order of presentation of requirements.

Is there an international forum where topics related to ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 are discussed?

Yes, there is a forum, called Auditing Practices Group (APG). It has a website, each for QMS and EMS. The Group comprises experts, auditors and practitioners involved in the Technical Committees of the International Organization for Standardization. The websites contain a diverse range of topics that can be a source of ideas for improving the effectiveness of your management system.