What Is the ISO 9001 Standard?
ISO 9001 is the world’s most widely adopted business management standard. The numbers speak for themselves: more than 1.3 million organizations worldwide—and nearly 33,000 in Spain—are certified to ISO 9001 quality management system requirements.
Why Is ISO 9001 Being Revised Now?
All ISO standards are periodically reviewed, and ISO 9001 is no exception. The fast and continuous evolution of the business environment is transforming how organizations operate—what worked a decade ago may no longer be enough today.
For that reason, the standard must adapt to current challenges and trends to remain relevant and effective.
The first version of ISO 9001 was published in 1987, and since then, it has been revised four times (1994, 2000, 2008, and 2015). In 2021, ISO confirmed the continuity of the 2015 version, and in 2024, an amendment addressing climate change considerations was added.
Work is now underway on the sixth edition of ISO 9001.
What Stage Is the Revision Process At?
ISO began updating ISO 9001 in December 2023 by forming a dedicated working group.
At present, the team is still developing the draft text of the new standard.
A first draft proposal is expected around May or June 2025, which will then enter a review and public comment phase.
What Changes Are Coming?
Although the first official draft has not yet been released, the main expected updates are likely to focus on the following areas:
- Digital Transformation:
How organizations manage information and data, digitalize their processes, and leverage new technologies. - Sustainability:
Organizations are increasingly expected not only to deliver quality products or services, but also to adopt environmentally and socially responsible practices and uphold business ethics.
Alignment with the UN 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) may become a key aspect of the new version. - Resilience:
Disruptive events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the need for organizations to strengthen risk identification, crisis management, and business continuity capabilities. - Continuous Improvement and Customer Focus:
The upcoming revision will continue to emphasize these two core management principles.
In addition, the definitions section will be reviewed and expanded, and a new annex will be developed to help organizations better understand each clause of the standard.
When Will the New ISO 9001 Version Be Published?
The sixth edition of ISO 9001 is expected to be released in late 2025 or early 2026.
My Company Is Already Certified — What Should We Do?
Certified organizations should stay informed about upcoming changes.
Once the new version is published, there will be a three-year transition period, giving companies ample time to update their quality management systems to meet the new requirements.
My Company Is Considering ISO 9001 Certification — Should We Wait?
Everything indicates that Version 6 will not be disruptive, so we encourage organizations that have not yet implemented a quality management system based on ISO 9001 to start the process now.
The standard not only helps improve customer satisfaction, but also strengthens organizational reputation and provides a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
What About ISO 14001?
ISO 14001, which defines the requirements for an environmental management system, is the second most widely adopted ISO standard after ISO 9001.
It is also currently under revision, with the goal of publishing the new edition at the same time as ISO 9001.
At Baker Tilly, experts in the implementation and maintenance of management systems, we will continue to keep you informed about the latest developments in the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 revision processes.
In the meantime, we remain at your disposal for any questions or comments you may wish to share.
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