ISO/FDIS 9001 — the final draft of the next ISO 9001 — is now in circulation. Publication is expected in late 2026, with a three-year transition window to follow.
This isn't a rewrite. The process approach, the High-Level Structure, customer focus, and continual improvement remain at the core. But six areas are tightening up, and each has direct implications for your next surveillance and recertification audits. Organizations that get ahead of the FDIS will spend the transition window strengthening their QMS. Those that wait will spend it catching up.
Join Heather Parker, Sustainability Technical Manager at ABS Quality Evaluations, for a focused 60-minute technical session on what the FDIS changes, what it means in practice, and how to begin a proportionate preparation effort — without rewriting what already works.
What We'll Cover:
- Why this revision happened — and what the FDIS deliberately keeps from ISO 9001:2015
- The six clauses that shifted — and what each one specifically asks of a certified QMS
- How auditors are likely to read the changes in the first surveillance audits after publication
- A practical six-step preparation rhythm that doesn't require rewriting procedures
- What to do in the meantime — while the standard is still in draft and IAF guidance hasn't issued
The Six Clauses:
- 4.1 — Climate context — Climate change becomes an explicit determination. Not a sustainability program. A documented context decision
- 4.2 — Interested-party filtering — A new step: deciding which interested-party requirements are actually addressed through the QMS, and which are managed elsewhere
- 5.1.1 — Leadership, culture and ethics — Three expectations of top management, made explicit: quality culture, ethical behaviour, and opportunity-based thinking
- 6.1 — Risk and opportunity, separated — One combined clause becomes three sub-clauses, each with its own actions and its own effectiveness review
- 6.3 — Change management, closed loop — Planning extends into resourcing, communication, monitoring, and effectiveness review. The full loop
- 7.1.3 / 7.1.6 / 8.3 — Knowledge and modern work — Hybrid work, iterative development, and broader organizational knowledge enter the QMS environment
Bring your questions about a specific clause. The last fifteen minutes are yours. Don’t miss this opportunity to understand the ISO 9001:2026 changes. Register today to secure your spot!
Presenter
Heather Parker - ABS QE Sustainability Technical Manager
Heather Parker serves as the Global Sustainability Program and Technical Manager for ABS Quality Evaluations (ABS QE), where she leads global programs and technical oversight for sustainability and management system certification programs.
With more than 25 years of experience in environmental, quality, health and safety, and integrated management systems, she is recognized for her deep technical expertise, practical insight, and leadership in complex, highly regulated industries. She also represents ABS QE in an industry working group focused on global quality and environmental matters, contributing to broader dialogue on emerging issues, evolving expectations, and best practices.
Heather brings a strong combination of strategic perspective and real-world application, making her a trusted voice on implementation challenges and effective management system practices.
About ABS Quality Evaluations
ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc. (ABS QE) is a subsidiary of ABS Group of Companies, Inc. (www.abs-group.com). As a world-leading certification body, ABS QE works with companies to improve the performance of their business, systems, people and supply chains through management systems certification, verification, training and assessments, including supply chain and cybersecurity. ABS QE’s global network of auditors plays a crucial role in helping organizations achieve business excellence and obtain the necessary certifications to get products and services to market.