Actions to address risks and opportunities — what changed from 2015 to 2026
ISO 9001:2026 published 16 September 2026 · checked against the published text on 27 September 2026
In 2015, risks and opportunities travel together through one blended requirement — and in most systems the 'opportunity' column quietly became decoration. The 2026 edition restructures the clause so the two are determined and acted on as distinct disciplines: risk-based thinking to protect what must not go wrong, and opportunity-based thinking to pursue what could go better. Same register, same planning cycle — but opportunities now need the same seriousness risks get: identified, evaluated, actioned, and checked for effect. The published numbering is 6.1.1, 6.1.2 and 6.1.3, so audit checklists that cite '6.1' alone should now say which half they mean.
ISO 9001:2015 said
Risks and opportunities addressed together in a single blended requirement — opportunities routinely neglected.
ISO 9001:2026 says
Restructured into three sub-clauses — 6.1.1 determining risks and opportunities, 6.1.2 actions to address risks, 6.1.3 actions to address opportunities. Each half is determined, analysed and evaluated, then planned with its own integration and effectiveness check; risk actions are proportionate to their potential impact, opportunity actions appropriate to your context. 'Opportunity' itself remains undefined — define it yourself.
What to actually do
Give opportunities their own evaluation logic, owners and outcome reviews; action a few genuinely; review effectiveness at management review.
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.