“The level of participation is a critical measure of success”27 | 03 | 25
Sam Somerville, Vorsitzende des ISO-Gremiums TC 176 SC2 Quality Systems sowie der bei ISO verantwortlichen Arbeitsgruppe TC 176 SC 2 WG 29, spricht im Interview mit Thomas Votsmeier, Leitung Normung DGQ und Vertreter von DIN und der EOQ in den genannten Gremien, über den aktuellen Stand der Revision von ISO 9001 und die nächsten Schritte.
How is the actual status of the revision of ISO 9001 and what have been the main activities since the decision about the revision?
Sam Somerville: Since the decision to revise ISO 9001 was made through a ballot of ISO TC176 SC2 members in the summer of 2023, a working group of experts from National Standards Bodies and Liaison Organisations has been established to progress the project.
The revision project had its initial meeting in December 2023 to develop the first, working draft which was then developed into a Committee Draft that was issued to all SC2 member bodies for comment in April 2024. The comments received from that ballot were then discussed and resolved between June and December 2024 to create a second Committee Draft, issued for comments in January 2025.
Comments received on the second Committee Draft will be resolved at an in-person meeting in Paris in the Spring of 2025, with a view to creating the Draft International Standard that will then be open to public comment. This process underscores the crucial role of collaboration and consensus in crafting a standard that addresses modern Quality Management System challenges and opportunities, such as digital transformation and sustainability.
What have been the most challenging activities and decisions during this time?
Sam Somerville: Achieving consensus for such a widely used, generic standard is always going to be a challenge due to diverse perspectives and user needs. The narrow margin of the initial decision to revise ISO 9001 introduced further complexities, as participants include both advocates for extensive updates and those preferring minimal changes. The working group has addressed over 2,000 comments during this period, balancing differing views while striving to maintain the standard’s global applicability and relevance.
Another challenge has been the adoption of the new Online Standards Development platform. While it represents an exciting advancement — pioneering the way for Management System Standards to use SMART (Standards that are Machine Accessible, Readable, and Transferable) technology — piloting any new tool inevitably comes with its learning curve. Collaborating with the development team has helped address initial difficulties, leading to improvements in both the platform and the working group’s understanding of its capabilities. The potential long-term benefits, such as enhanced access and usability for ISO 9001 users, make these efforts worthwhile.
It’s inspiring to see how such challenges are being met with collaborative problem-solving and innovation.
What are from your point of view the most relevant changes to be awaited in the content of the standard?
Sam Somerville: The development of the revision of ISO 9001 has included meaningful debate and consensus building to ensure that the standard reflects evolving priorities and practices.
Potential changes have been considered with a view to enhance the relevance, usability, and practicality of ISO 9001. They reflect a balanced approach—acknowledging the need for continuity while embracing key advancements. Updates have been considered to several key areas including risk and opportunities, ethical behaviour, improvement, and enhanced clarifications provided in the Annex.
Another update throughout the standard is the alignment to the current version of the Harmonized Structure text for all Management System Standards (MSS). This text provides a common framework for all MSS ensuring consistency, compatibility, and ease of integration for organizations implementing multiple standards. It means that all MSS have the same clause titles, core text, and common terms and definitions as their basis.
How do you manage the parallel development of ISO 9000 – as fundaments and definitions must fit together with the ISO 9001 content?
Sam Somerville: Close collaboration between the working groups for ISO 9001 and ISO 9000 has been prioritized to ensure alignment. ISO 9000 includes the fundamental concepts and vocabulary of quality management on which the requirements in ISO 9001 are based, and so it has been a high priority for the teams revising these standards to share information and understanding of key proposals or discussions to inform their own deliberations.
Effective liaison at multiple levels has been instrumental in achieving coherence. ISO 9000 is anticipated to reach the DIS stage (Draft International Standard) ahead of ISO 9001, though collaborative efforts will persist throughout the process.
How do you evaluate the common work in the working group with the international experts?
Sam Somerville: The collaborative efforts within the Working Group truly demonstrate the power of international cooperation. Successfully navigating challenges and fostering inclusive discussions has been pivotal in shaping a more mature and representative second Committee Draft. It’s clear that the diversity of perspectives brought by participants has enriched the revision process, ensuring that it reflects the needs of a global audience.
The level of participation is a critical measure of success. Representatives from over 50 National Standards Bodies, 10 liaison organizations, and additional internal liaisons from other ISO Technical Committees have contributed their expertise and unique viewpoints over more than 150 hours of meetings. This impressive level of involvement highlights the dedication of the experts involved, ensuring that the standard remains relevant and widely applicable.
Such collaboration strengthens the foundation of ISO 9001.
What are the next steps until the standard can be published?
Sam Somerville: The path to publishing the revised ISO 9001 is well-structured and involves several critical steps.
The immediate focus is on resolving the feedback received on the second Committee Draft during the Spring 2025 meeting in Paris. This step will shape the DIS, which will then be opened for public comment. Following the public comment period, the input gathered will be meticulously reviewed and incorporated to create the Final Draft International Standard (FDIS). This stage represents the final editorial review before the standard is approved for publication.
Once all these steps are completed, the revised ISO 9001 will be ready to make its official debut. It’s an exciting and thorough process, ensuring that the updated standard meets the highest expectations of its global users.
What are the probable dates of launching the new versions of ISO 9000 and 9001 standards?
Sam Somerville: The revised version of ISO 9000 is anticipated to launch by late 2025, followed by ISO 9001 in the autumn of 2026.
Alongside these revisions, work will also commence soon on updating ISO TS 9002:2016, which currently provides guidelines for applying ISO 9001:2015, as well as the ISO Handbook tailored to small enterprises. We are always happy to have new members to support the revision of the important standards within our portfolio. ISO standards are developed by consensus, so if you’re passionate about influencing the future of these standards, connecting with your National Standards Body or Liaison Organisation could be a fantastic opportunity to make an impact – we’d love to see you soon!
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