Annex A — Clarification of structure, terminology and clauses (informative) — what changed from 2015 to 2026
ISO 9001:2026 published 16 September 2026 · checked against the published text on 27 September 2026
ISO 9001:2015 already had a short informative Annex A on its structure and terminology, and an Annex B listing the other ISO/TC 176 standards. The published 2026 edition replaces both with one much larger informative Annex A: word-level clarifications (A.2), a note on applicability (A.3), and then a section for every clause from 4 to 10 explaining intent, each pointing to the ISO 10000-series guidance standards where they exist. It adds no requirements — the text says so — and there are no worked examples. You cannot receive a finding 'against Annex A', but it will shape how certification auditors read the requirements they do audit against, which makes it the highest-leverage reading in the new edition.
ISO 9001:2015 said
A short informative Annex A on the structure and terminology, plus Annex B listing the other ISO/TC 176 standards.
ISO 9001:2026 says
One expanded informative Annex A — word clarifications, applicability, and clause-by-clause intent for clauses 4–10 with pointers to the ISO 10000-series guidance — replaces both; Annex B is removed. No new requirements, no worked examples.
What to actually do
Read A.2 first, then the sections for the changed clauses; align internal-auditor training; consciously decide where your interpretation differs and be ready to justify it.
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.