The ISO 9001 standard, which defines the requirements for quality management systems (QMS), is scheduled for revision in November 2025. While these changes won’t disrupt your management systems, it’s always a good idea to stay informed and make sure your organization is ready to integrate these adjustments. Here are the key points to keep an eye on.
1. What’s new in the revision of ISO 9001:2025
The revision process is following its usual course, and the standard is currently at the “Committee Draft” (CD) stage. The broad outlines have already been drawn up, although adjustments may still be necessary before the final version.
a) Change of title
The standard will be entitled “Quality management systems – Requirements with guidelines for use”. This new title reflects a desire to provide users with greater support in implementing the requirements. Practical, but not revolutionary.
b) Integrity and quality culture
The revision will place greater emphasis onethics, integrity and quality culture in organizations, particularly in clause 5.1.1. The idea is to ensure that leadership is a driving force behind these essential values.
c) Risk and opportunity management
The notions of risks and opportunities will be addressed separately, meaning that organizations will have to structure their responses to these two elements more distinctly. Clauses such as 6.1 and 9.1.3e will provide a framework for this management.
2. Impact of climate change (yes, even in a QMS)
An important new aspect of this revision concerns the integration of climate change into quality management. Organizations will have to assess the potential impact of climate on their operations and stakeholders. Here’s where this will be explicitly mentioned:
- Clause 4.1: Take account of the organization’s context, including climatic factors.
- Clause 4.2: Understand the needs of interested parties, particularly if specific climate-related expectations exist.
If climate change doesn’t directly concern your organization, you’ll need to be able to justify why. This is part of a trend towards taking broader global issues into account in corporate management.
3. New terminology for documented information
A few terminology adjustments will clarify document management:
- “Available as proof of… to designate the documents you need to keep as proof.
- “Available as documented information…”. for information that needs to be kept up to date.
4. Appendix with additional guidelines
ISO will also include more detailed guidelines on certain aspects, such as :
- Understanding the organization’s context (4.1).
- The role of leadership in quality management (5.1.1).
- Design and development of products and services (8.3.1).
These additions will enable us to provide organizations with more precise guidance in interpreting and applying these requirements.
5. What this means for your company
In short, these changes will require your organization to verify that your QMS remains compliant with the new expectations. Here’s what you can do right now:
- Assess your quality culture: Make sure your teams embody the values of quality and integrity.
- Analyze climate risks: Even if your business is not directly impacted, consider the potential influence of climate on your working environment.
- Review your documented information: Take this opportunity to ensure that all your documents are up to date and accessible.
Conclusion
Although the revision of ISO 9001:2025 won’t revolutionize your organization, it does provide an opportunity to review certain practices and integrate key aspects such as ethics, climate change and more precise risk management. At Stoik QSE, we’re here to support you in this smooth transition, while remaining faithful to the requirements of the standard.
