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ISO 9001:2026 Readiness Checklist

Use this checklist to see how close your quality management system is to ISO 9001 certification. It reflects ISO 9001:2026, including the new emphasis on quality culture, change management and the separate treatment of risks and opportunities.

Prepared by Morgan Compliance Group · Published 23 October 2026 · Updated 23 October 2026

Who it's for

Organisations planning ISO 9001 certification, and certified organisations preparing to transition from ISO 9001:2015.

Interactive ISO 9001:2026 readiness checklist

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Context and scope

We understand the internal and external issues that affect our ability to deliver quality

We know which interested parties matter and what they need from us

The scope of our quality management system is defined and documented

Our key processes are identified, with their inputs, outputs, owners and how they interact

Leadership and culture

Top management actively leads the quality management system and takes accountability for it

We have a quality policy that's communicated and understood

Leadership promotes a quality culture and ethical behaviour, and we can show how

Roles, responsibilities and authorities are assigned and communicated

Planning

We have identified the risks to our processes and products and have plans to address them

We have identified opportunities for improvement separately and have plans to pursue them

We have measurable quality objectives with plans to achieve them

Changes to the quality management system are planned, with their purpose, consequences and resources considered

Support

We have the people, equipment, environment and measuring equipment we need

We know what competence each role needs and keep records to show it

People understand the quality policy, their part in it and the importance of quality and ethical behaviour

Documents and records are controlled, current and accessible

Operation

We confirm customer requirements before we commit to supplying

Design and development is controlled, where it applies to us

External suppliers and subcontractors are selected, monitored and evaluated

Work is carried out under controlled conditions, with release checks before delivery

Nonconforming products or services are identified and controlled

Performance evaluation

We monitor customer satisfaction

We analyse data on quality performance

We have completed at least one full internal audit

Top management has carried out a management review

Improvement

Nonconformities and complaints are investigated and corrective actions tracked to closure

We can show continual improvement of the system

Ready to audit your system? Use our internal audit checklist.

What's new in ISO 9001:2026

The 2026 edition was published on 16 September 2026. It brings quality culture and ethical behaviour more clearly into management system requirements, treats risks and opportunities separately, strengthens the expectations around planning changes and includes clarification of key terms within the standard itself. Read our article, ISO 9001:2026 Has Been Published: What It Actually Changes, for a closer look at the changes.

Already certified to ISO 9001:2015?

Certified organisations have until 30 September 2029 to complete their transition to ISO 9001:2026. Certificates issued against the previous edition expire at the end of the transition period. Plan your transition with your certification body rather than leaving it until your last surveillance or recertification audit.

What certification involves

A Stage 1 audit checks that the system is documented and ready for assessment. A Stage 2 audit checks whether the arrangements are working in practice. Read What Happens During an ISO Certification Audit?

Source: LRQA, ISO 9001:2026 is live: the transition period has begun.

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This resource is general guidance. Adapt it to your own business, activities and risks.

Getting certified or making the 2026 transition?

We'll review your quality management system against ISO 9001:2026, show you where the gaps are and help you close them before your audit.

Book an ISO 9001 gap review

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Guide

ISO 9001:2026 Readiness Checklist

Who it's for

Interactive ISO 9001:2026 readiness checklist