Understanding the organisation and its context — what changed from 2015 to 2026
ISO 9001:2026 published 16 September 2026 · checked against the published text on 27 September 2026
The context requirement itself carries over from 2015: determine the external and internal issues relevant to your purpose, strategic direction and QMS. What changes is one named issue — climate change. You must now determine whether climate change is a relevant issue for your organisation and record a conclusion either way. This is already mandatory: the February 2024 amendment inserted it into 9001:2015 ahead of the full 2026 revision, so the 2026 text confirms rather than introduces it.
ISO 9001:2015 said
Determine internal and external issues relevant to the QMS. Climate not mentioned.
ISO 9001:2026 says
Same requirement, plus: determine whether climate change is a relevant issue and record a conclusion either way (already in force via the 2024 amendment).
What to actually do
One reasoned climate line in the context analysis; carry real exposures into the risk register.
Full clause guidance
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Checked against the published text of ISO 9001:2026 (SANS 9001:2026 Ed. 6, the identical South African adoption of ISO 9001:2026) on 27 September 2026. Qlause provides interpretive guidance only and is not a substitute for the standard — refer to your licensed copy of ISO 9001:2026 for the authoritative text.