ISO 9001:2026 Clause 10: Improvement
Published October 23, 2026
Clause 10 of ISO 9001:2026 requires continual improvement of the QMS and an effective response to nonconformities. In this edition, Clause 10.1 addresses continual improvement and Clause 10.2 addresses nonconformity and corrective action. Improvement should follow from evidence about how your system is working.
10.1 Use evidence to improve the QMS
Continually improve the system’s suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. Use monitoring, measurement, analysis, evaluation and management review results to identify opportunities, and address those opportunities as part of improvement.
Actions include improving processes, products and services, addressing future needs and expectations, and correcting, preventing or reducing unwanted effects. Improvement may be incremental or involve a larger change. ISO 9001 does not prescribe a quota of improvement projects.
For example, repeated customer clarification calls might reveal that an order form is confusing. Simplifying it, checking whether errors decrease and adjusting the change if necessary can be a useful improvement. The objective is a better result, not merely a new form.
10.2 Respond to nonconformities and their consequences
A nonconformity is a failure to meet a requirement. When one occurs, react to it and, as applicable, control and correct it and deal with its consequences. A complaint can reveal a nonconformity, but not every issue originates in a complaint.
For example, discovering that the wrong revision of an instruction was used may call for stopping affected work, checking outputs and deciding what needs correction. The appropriate response depends on the nature and effects of the problem.
Distinguish correction from corrective action
Correction deals with the identified problem, such as replacing an incorrect delivery. Corrective action addresses its cause so that it does not recur or occur elsewhere, such as changing an order-verification process after identifying why the wrong item was selected.
Evaluate the need for action by reviewing the nonconformity, determining its causes and considering whether similar problems exist or could occur elsewhere. Implement the necessary action and make it appropriate to the effects of the problem.
There is no prescribed root-cause tool. Methods such as asking “why” or mapping the process can help, but the analysis should lead to a supported explanation. “Human error” alone may overlook unclear information, impractical controls or other system conditions.
Check effectiveness and retain the evidence
Review whether corrective action worked. For example, check a suitable sample of later orders to see whether the revised verification process prevents the same error. Completing training or changing a document is evidence of an action, not necessarily evidence of effectiveness.
Update risks and opportunities and change the QMS where necessary. Keep documented evidence of the nonconformity, subsequent actions and corrective-action results.
Improve before a failure as well as after one
You do not need to wait for a nonconformity to improve a process. Proactive changes can arise through risk and opportunity planning under Clause 6 and continual improvement under Clause 10.1. Corrective action under Clause 10.2, however, responds to a nonconformity; it should not be used as a catch-all label for every improvement.
“Continual” improvement allows progress over time through repeated activities. It does not mean that every process must change continuously. Preserve what works and use evidence to decide where improvement will help.
For the bigger picture, return to the ISO 9001:2026 requirements overview. For structured learning, explore our ISO 9001 online training. Check the standard edition shown on each course page before enrolling.
Based on ISO 9001:2026, Quality management systems — Requirements. Clause 10 explained in practical terms. Use the standard itself for the complete requirements. Examples illustrate possible approaches, not additional ISO requirements.
