| File Reference : | ISO 9001:2026 Correlation |
| Date File Updated | Ref. toolkit |
| File Format | MS Word |
| No. of files | File is included with toolkit |
| Category | ISO Correlations | Tags: ISO 9001 |
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This correlation table maps each ISO 9001:2026 clause to where the evidence sits in the IMS1 manual and alphaZ documents, with guidance on the standard and the transition.
These reference documents are supplied in MS Word format within the alphaZ toolkits, with all text in Calibri font for improved readability.
alphaZ documents - tried and tested guidance documents. No junk, jargon or unnecessary content, developed over 25 years through practical use in the real world.
Further guidance on ISO 9001:2026:
These documents are supplied within the alphaZ toolkits. They are included in the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 toolkits, including the integrated toolkits that combine them.
If you'd like hands-on help preparing your IMS manual and registers for ISO 9001:2026, our remote support services provide direct expert input from our team, by the day, by project, or on an ongoing basis.
ISO 9001:2026 Correlation and Guidance
The ISO 9001:2026 Correlation and Guidance brings together a correlation table and the ISO 9001:2026 guidance documents. The correlation takes each clause of ISO 9001:2026, from Context of the Organisation to Improvement, gives a short explanation of the requirement and signposts the example evidence of compliance in the IMS1 manual and the alphaZ forms, registers and policies. The overview and guidance introduces the standard and what to prepare for a certification audit, and the transition guidance sets out the changes from ISO 9001:2015 clause by clause.
The alphaZ IMS framework is built around how a business works rather than the clause structure of the standard, so the correlation shows where each ISO 9001:2026 requirement is met across IMS1 and its supporting documents. It is a working reference when setting up the quality management system, checking it against the standard or preparing for a certification audit.
Three Documents in One Download
The correlation table and the ISO 9001:2026 guidance documents, all in MS Word.
- ISO 9001:2026 Correlation - a clause by clause table giving each requirement, a short explanation and where the evidence sits in IMS1 and the alphaZ documents
- ISO 9001:2026 Overview and Guidance - an introduction to the standard, the quality management principles and the documentation it requires, with points to have in place before a certification audit
- ISO 9001:2026 Transition Guidance - the requirements that changed from ISO 9001:2015, clause by clause, the areas most likely to need attention and a summary of the documents revised to meet them
What the Correlation Covers
- Introduction - how the alphaZ IMS framework meets ISO 9001:2026 without following its clause structure, and where registers referred to by a lowercase term are listed in IMS1
- Clause 4 Context of the Organisation - issues including climate change, interested parties and which of their requirements the system addresses, the scope and the processes, mapped to IMS1 Section 1 and the interested parties and opportunities and risks registers
- Clause 5 Leadership - leadership and commitment including quality culture and ethical behaviour, customer focus, the quality policy and roles, responsibilities and authorities
- Clause 6 Planning - determining risks and opportunities, the separate actions to address risks and to address opportunities, quality objectives and the planning of changes
- Clause 7 Support - resources, people, infrastructure, the work environment, monitoring and measuring resources, organisational knowledge, competence, awareness, communication and documented information
- Clause 8 Operation - operational planning, customer communication and requirements, design and development, external providers, production and service provision, release and nonconforming outputs, mapped to the IMS1 Section 4 operational procedures
- Clauses 9 and 10 - monitoring and measurement, customer satisfaction, analysis and evaluation, internal audit, management review, continual improvement and corrective action, mapped to IMS1 Section 5 and the management review
Built for ISO 9001:2026 Implementation
- Signposts example evidence for each requirement, naming the part of IMS1 and the form, register or policy that meets it
- Marks the requirements that are new or strengthened in the 2026 standard, such as quality culture and ethical behaviour, separate risks and opportunities and the planning of changes
- Shows where a requirement such as design and development or measurement traceability can be listed as not applicable in IMS1, with its justification
- Points to the ISO 9001:2026 standard itself, which is needed to review each clause in full
Who Needs an ISO 9001:2026 Correlation?
The correlation is for organisations using the alphaZ IMS1 manual and documents to implement or maintain an ISO 9001:2026 quality management system. IMS leads and quality managers use it to check that each requirement is covered, to find the evidence for a clause quickly during internal audits and management review, and to prepare for a certification audit. For businesses moving from ISO 9001:2015, the transition guidance shows which areas to review first.
Included in the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 Toolkits
These documents are part of the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 toolkits, including the integrated toolkits that combine them.
Using the Correlation
Work through the table with IMS1 open, checking that each evidence item is in place and reflects how your business operates. Where a requirement does not apply, record it under Requirements Not Applicable in IMS1 with its justification. Use the transition guidance to focus first on the areas most likely to need attention, such as context and interested parties, risk and opportunity records, the management of change, the management review agenda and staff awareness.
Related Documents
The correlation refers to documents such as the F-IMS22 Interested Parties Register, F-IMS23 Opportunities and Risks Register, F-Q3 Management Review, P-1 Quality Policy and P-125 Supplier Policy. The ISO 9001:2026 Requirements Checklists give a clause by clause audit checklist for the 2026 standard, the ISO 9001:2015 Correlation remains available for organisations working to ISO 9001:2015, and the ISO 14001:2026 Correlation does the same job where ISO 14001 forms part of an integrated system.
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