ISO 9001:2015 Available for Public Review

By The Maritime Executive 05-17-2014 05:21:00

The new version of the world’s most popular ISO standard, ISO 9001 Quality Management, is now published as a Draft International Standard (DIS), for public review. The final standard is expected to be officially published in September 2015.

“The new ISO 9001:2015 is an important step forward, making the standard up to date with current business practices and needs,” says Global Service Responsible for ISO 9001 in DNV GL, Bastiaan Poldermans.

DNV GL has been actively involved in the ISO committee creating the standard (ISO/TC 176/2). The new version has noteworthy changes.

“Like all new ISO management system standards, the ISO 9001 is now aligned with the so called high level structure. This means that all the new ISO management system standards will be aligned on the common requirements, which will make it easier for organizations to implement them going forward,” says Bastiaan Poldermans.

The Environmental Management system standard ISO 14001:2015 (which is replacing ISO 14001:2004) is expected to be published in June/July 2015. The Occupational Health & Safety standard ISO 45001:2016 (replacing OHSAS 18001) is expected in September 2016. Thus, by the end of 2016, all of the most used standards are harmonized through the same high level structure and a set of common requirements.

Some key notable differences between ISO 9001:2015 and the current version ISO9001:2008 are:

- Risk based thinking as a basis for the management system. Rather than the ‘one size fits all’ requirements in the standard, it challenges the organization to analyze its risks in order to plan for an appropriate quality management system.

- Broader view on risk and opportunity management through systematic determination and monitoring of its business context, and the needs and expectations of interested parties. This provides a better opportunity to improve the quality management system and its ability to achieve the intended results.

- Stronger emphasis on leadership and commitment from top management to take accountability for the effectiveness of the quality management system.

- More focus on objectives as drivers for improvements, and related planning needed to achieve the goals.

- Requirements related to needed resources are clustered and made more comprehensive.

- The standard provides more detailed attention to the control of externally provided processes, products and services. This follows the reality of today where organizations operate in a more complex environment of outsourced processes and supply chains.

- More emphasis on planning and control of changes, including required changes in processes and needed changes to the management system.



The draft version offers insight into the main elements that can be expected when the standard is finally released next year. The transition period for our certified customers is expected to be 3 years after the publication date in 2015.

Organizations can start preparing to ensure an easier transition. The DIS version can be purchased in order to get deeper insights into the suggested new requirements. DNV GL is also organizing webinars and briefing sessions to inform about the upcoming changes. Customers can also reach out to our auditors for assistance. Our new audit methodology, Next Generation Risk Based Certification, will also help you in the right direction, as we take the broader view on an organization’s stakeholders, risks and opportunities, in order to further optimize the management system.