What changes for Lead Auditors in 2026 and 2027?
The method, the criteria and the qualification. ISO 19011, which sets out the audit method, was revised in May 2026. ISO 14001 and ISO 9001, which set the criteria for environmental and quality audits, were revised in April and September 2026. FSSC 22000 Version 7, published in May 2026, tightens the qualification of its auditors.
Date | Event | Effect for a Lead Auditor | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
April 2026 | Publication of ISO 14001:2026 | New criteria for environmental audits | Global ACI |
27 May 2026 | Publication of ISO 19011:2026 (4th edition); withdrawal of the 2018 edition | Reference audit method updated | |
May 2026 | Publication of FSSC 22000 Version 7 | Lead Auditor course recognised by a competent body required of certification auditors | Foundation FSSC |
16 September 2026 | Publication of ISO 9001:2026 | New criteria for quality audits | |
31 January 2027 | Certification bodies’ readiness declaration for ISO 14001:2026 | Their auditors must be trained on the 2026 edition | Global ACI |
1 May 2027 | Start of audits against FSSC 22000 Version 7 (v6 audits until 30 April 2027); register of requalified auditors up to date | No v7 audit without training and an exam on Version 7 | Foundation FSSC |
30 June 2027 | Certification bodies’ readiness declaration for ISO 9001:2026 | Their auditors must be trained on the 2026 edition | Global ACI |
2027 (expected) | Revision of ISO 45001 | Plan a transition module on publication | ACG monitoring |
31 October 2027 | No more initial certification to ISO 14001:2015 | Initial audits are carried out against the 2026 edition | Global ACI |
31 March 2028 | No more initial certification to ISO 9001:2015 | Initial audits are carried out against the 2026 edition | Global ACI |
30 April 2028 | End of FSSC v7 upgrade audits | All certified sites are audited against Version 7 | Foundation FSSC |
30 April 2029 and 30 September 2029 | End of the ISO 14001:2026 and ISO 9001:2026 transitions | Certificates to the 2015 editions are no longer valid | Global ACI |
The Global ACI dates come from its transition documents for ISO 9001:2026 and ISO 14001:2026, which are mandatory for signatory accreditation bodies and for the certification bodies they accredit.
What does FSSC 22000 Version 7 require of auditors?
A recognised Lead Auditor course, specified trainings and requalification before 1 May 2027. The FSSC 22000 Version 7 scheme sets out the initial training of certification body auditors in Part 4 (3.5.1). Compared with the Version 6 scheme of April 2023, it changes on four points:
Requirement | Version 6 (April 2023) | Version 7 (May 2026) |
|---|---|---|
Lead Auditor course | FSMS or QMS, at least 40 hours | FSMS or QMS, at least 40 hours, recognised by a competent body (for example the CQI/IRCA), including ISO 19011 and the elements of ISO/IEC 17021-1 related to the audit process |
Accreditation requirements and Foundation training | Training on ISO 22003-1:2022 and ISO/IEC 17021-1, possibly included in the Lead Auditor course | No separate heading: the Lead Auditor course includes the audit-related elements of ISO/IEC 17021-1; a new heading covers the Foundation’s mandatory training, including harmonisation training |
Prerequisite programmes | 3 hours per relevant PRP standard | At least 3 hours on ISO 22002-100 and the relevant sector parts |
Professional experience | Two years in quality assurance or food safety; no more than six months of quality or food safety consulting | Two years in food safety roles; no more than six months of food safety consulting |
The other required trainings remain in place, all with an exam: HACCP (16 hours), ISO 22000 (8 hours if the Lead Auditor course does not cover it), food defense and food fraud (2 hours each), and the scheme requirements.
For auditors who are already qualified, the Foundation’s upgrade document adds two obligations: pass training with an exam on all Version 7 requirements, then on ISO 22002-100:2025 and the sector parts for their categories, before any v7 audit; and be requalified by their certification body for their subcategories, with a register up to date on 1 May 2027.
In a multi-site certified organisation (categories BIII, E, F and G), internal auditors keep the same requirements as in v6 (Part 2, 2.5.18.2): a 40-hour FSMS, QMS or FSSC 22000 Lead Auditor course for the person in charge of internal audit, a 16-hour internal auditor course for the others, and at least 8 hours of training on the scheme, which now covers the ISO 22002-x series. The other Version 7 changes are presented in our article on FSSC 22000 Version 7 changes.
ISO 9001:2026 and ISO 14001:2026: when must auditors be ready?
Before their certification body declares its readiness: by 31 January 2027 at the latest for ISO 14001:2026, and by 30 June 2027 for ISO 9001:2026. Both Global ACI documents require certification bodies to ensure that the personnel concerned, auditors included, are trained and competent for the revised edition, and then to declare this to their accreditation body.
For a Lead Auditor, independent or employed, the consequence is simple: a course or a transition module on the amended clauses, taken in 2027 rather than on the eve of the end of the transition. The amended clauses of ISO 9001:2026 are detailed in our article on what changes for ISO 9001:2026 internal auditor training.
Auditors listed on the IRCA register also have their own transition requirements, published by the CQI (ISO 9001:2026 – Transition requirements for IRCA QMS Auditors). Before enrolling on a certified Lead Auditor course, also check which edition of the standard it covers.
What does ISO 19011:2026 change for a Lead Auditor?
It replaces the methodological reference of the courses. According to the ISO page, the fourth edition, published on 27 May 2026, runs to 46 pages, replaces the 2018 edition, which is withdrawn, and is aimed at first-, second- and third-party auditors, with a framework for auditor competence and evaluation.
Sector schemes do not all move at the same pace: the FSSC 22000 Version 7 scheme still cites ISO 19011:2018 in its references. A Lead Auditor who works both on ISO 9001 and on a food safety scheme therefore checks which edition each one retains.
ISO 45001 and ISO 22000: should you wait for the revisions?
No. ISO 45001:2018 remains in force, with a revision expected in 2027; ISO 22000:2018, amended in 2024, is under revision. Postponing an OHSMS or FSMS Lead Auditor course to wait for them means auditing for months without training. The right timing: train now on the edition in force, then take a transition module as soon as the new edition is published.
To check by the end of 2027:
To choose the course that suits your profile, see our guide to the IRCA Lead Auditor course in Africa.