Quality System Management Implementation Courses
The SABS Identically Adopted SANS/ISO 9001:2026 and SANS/ISO 14001:2026 are here!
Prepare for the next generation of quality and environmental management
The latest edition of SANS/ISO 9001:2026 – Quality management system, and earlier this year published SANS/ISO 14001:2026 – Environmental management system are published and now both available for purchase on our e-Commerce website as well as available for training courses.
For organisations certified to the previous editions, this is an opportunity to review existing management systems, understand what has changed and plan a structured transition.
SABS can help you take the next step – from accessing the new standards to building the knowledge and capability needed to implement them.
What is an Identically Adopted Standard?
An Identically Adopted Standard is a South African National Standard (SANS) that adopts an international standard without technical changes or deviations, so that the South African standard is identical in technical content and structure to the international standard. This enables the same technical requirements to apply in South Africa while the standard is formally published as a SANS in accordance with the Standards Act, 2008 (Act 8 of 2008). (gov.za)
In simple terms: the international standard is adopted as a South African National Standard without changing its technical requirements.
SANS/ISO 9001:2026 – Quality Management System evolves
SANS/ISO 9001:2026 builds on the established quality management framework while providing SANS 9001:2026 which is the identical adoption of ISO 9001:2026 is here! Published on 17 September as South African National Standard, this edition focuses on improving clarity to help organisations of all sizes, maturity and purpose to better understand the requirements. It emphasises the importance of quality culture and leadership and separates risk and opportunities to ensure organizations proactively take actions to pursue beneficial results.
This sixth edition which supersedes and replaces the 2015 version comes with the following key changes:
- Greater focus on climate change: Organisations must consider whether climate change can affect their ability to achieve quality objectives and meet customer requirements.
- Stronger leadership responsibility: Top management is expected to demonstrate greater ownership of quality, quality culture and ethical behaviour.
- Clearer risk and opportunity management: Organisations are expected to identify and manage both risks that could affect quality and opportunities for improvement.
- Better control of organisational change: Changes to processes, technology, equipment, people and suppliers need to be planned and controlled to prevent quality problems.
- Stronger quality culture: Quality is increasingly seen as the responsibility of everyone in the organisation, not only the Quality Department.
- Greater emphasis on continual improvement: Organisations should use data, performance results and lessons learned to continuously improve their processes and results.
- More emphasis on digitalisation: The standard better accommodates electronic documentation, digital records, data and modern technologies used to manage quality.
- Clearer guidance for implementation: Additional guidance helps organisations understand and apply the requirements more consistently.
Already certified to ISO 9001:2015? Now is the time to understand the changes, assess your current QMS and develop your transition plan.
SANS/ISO 14001:2026 – Environmental performance with greater clarity
The earlier this year released identically adopted SANS/ISO 14001:2026 strengthens the environmental management framework while making it clearer and easier to apply.
The revised standard places greater emphasis on:
- Climate change and environmental priorities
- Biodiversity and resource efficiency
- Leadership and governance
- Environmental performance and measurable results
- Lifecycle thinking and value-chain impacts
- Integration with other management systems
ISO describes the new edition as a clearer and more effective way for organisations to turn environmental commitments into measurable performance and resilience.
Already certified to ISO 14001:2015?
Start your transition planning early. Review your environmental management system, identify gaps and build the necessary competence within your organisation. If you need help with this, let us know, we can *assist with the transition.
*when SABS assists with implementation then a required 24 months cool down period is mandatory.
Don't just update your system.
Build your competence.
A successful transition starts with understanding the standard.
SABS offers training designed to help organisations understand the changes, assess their readiness and prepare their people for implementation and transition.
As an established accredited training facility, SABS provides access to training that connects the requirements of the standards with practical organisational needs.
Our transition training can help relevant personnel:
- Understand what has changed
- Identify potential gaps in existing systems
- Understand new and revised requirements
- Prepare for transition audits
- Strengthen internal competence
- Support effective implementation
A practical transition journey
- Get the standard
Access the official requirements and understand the foundation for your transition. - Understand what has changed
Equip your quality and environmental teams with knowledge of the revised requirements. - Assess your current system
Conduct a structured gap assessment to identify where changes may be required. -
Build competence
Train the people responsible for maintaining and improving your management system. - Prepare for transition
Plan, implement and verify the required changes ahead of your transition audit.
Start early. Understand the changes. Build competence. Transition with confidence.
Why choose SABS?
For more than 80 years, SABS has contributed to South Africa's standards and quality infrastructure.
Our expertise extends across standards, conformity assessment and training, giving organisations access to a broader understanding of quality and management system requirements.
Whether you need the new standard, transition training or support in preparing your organisation, SABS can help you take the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are ISO 9001:2026 and ISO 14001:2026?
ISO 9001:2026 is the latest edition of the international standard for quality management systems.
ISO 14001:2026 is the latest edition of the international standard for environmental management systems. Both standards provide frameworks that help organisations establish, maintain and continually improve their management systems.
- What has changed in ISO 9001:2026?
The 2026 edition introduces targeted updates focused on clearer requirements, stronger leadership and quality culture, clearer treatment of risks and opportunities, and closer alignment with other ISO management system standards.
- What has changed in ISO 14001:2026?
The revised standard provides greater clarity and places stronger emphasis on environmental performance, climate change, biodiversity, resource efficiency, leadership, governance and lifecycle considerations.
- Do organisations certified to the previous editions need to transition?
Yes. Certified organisations will need to transition to the applicable 2026 edition within the transition period established for their certification. Organisations should confirm the applicable transition arrangements and dates with their certification body.
- Do I need to rebuild my existing management system?
Not necessarily. The transition should be approached as a structured project. Organisations should first understand the changes, assess their existing system and identify where updates are required.
- Where should we start?
Start by obtaining the new standard and understanding the changes. A gap assessment can then help identify areas requiring attention. Training relevant personnel early can make the transition more structured and effective.
- Who should attend transition training?
Training should be considered for people involved in implementing, maintaining, auditing or managing the relevant management system.
This may include management representatives, quality and environmental personnel, internal auditors and other system-relevant employees.
- Does SABS offer training on the 2026 standards?
Yes. SABS offers transition training for the revised standards. Our training helps organisations understand the revised requirements and prepare their people for implementation and transition.
View SABS Training Courses - Can I purchase the standards from SABS?
Yes. SABS provides access to the latest standards.
Purchase SANS/ISO 9001:2026
Purchase SANS/ISO 14001:2026
-
Why should we start preparing now?
Transition is easier when organisations have time to understand the changes, assess their current systems, train relevant personnel and implement required improvements.
Don't wait for your next audit to start. Start understanding the new requirements now.