What is ISO Technical Committee (TC) 176 Sub-Committee (SC) 2 ?

We are the ISO Subcommittee for TC176 Quality Systems. We are responsible for the development of

ISO 9001 Quality management systems – Requirements

the most widely used International Standard in the world.

In addition, we produce the following:

• ISO 9002 - guidance on the application of the requirements of ISO 9001
• ISO 9001 Handbook for Small Enterprises - guidance on the implementation of ISO 9001 within a micro, small or medium enterprise
• ISO 9004 - guidance on enhancing the quality of an organization and its ability to achieve sustained success

Scope:

Standardisation in the field of quality management and quality assurance, including the development of documents that support excellence and sustained success in all types of organisations.

Who We Are:

An international community of experts and representatives from National Standards Bodies and liaison organisations, collaborating to develop inclusive, relevant, and effective standards that meet both current and emerging user needs.

Our Vision:

That our standards are adopted, recognised and respected worldwide, and used by organisations as integral tools for achieving sustainable development.

Our Mission:

To empower organisations globally to implement quality management systems that foster continual improvement, sustained success, and trust, through our quality management standards.

Our Standards

• ISO 9001: 2026
  Quality management systems - Requirements
• ISO/TS 9002: 2016
  Guidelines on the application of ISO 9001:2015
• ISO SME handbook: 2016  
  ISO 9001:2015 for Small Enterprises – What to do ? Advice from ISO/TC176
• ISO 9004: 2018
  Quality management - Quality of an organization - Guidance to achieve sustained success

Please use the "Projects" tab at the top if this page to find further information on the products that are currently being developed or are under revision.

Guidance on ISO 9001

The following links will take you to supporting documents to help you in your use of the standard

• ISO 9001:2026: What businesses need to know
• Get your ISO 9001:2026 Starter Pack
• Quality Management Principles

Auditing to ISO 9001

Do you need advice about auditing to ISO 9001 ?

A key standard you should refer to is ISO 19011:2026 Guidelines for auditing management systems.

In addition a number of guidance papers on the auditing of quality management systems can be found on the website of the ISO 9001 Auditing Practices Group. These have been developed by an informal group of quality management system experts, auditors and practitioners from ISO/TC 176 and the International Accreditation Forum.

Also note that ISO/IEC 17021-3: 2017 Conformity assessment -- Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems - Part 3: Competence requirements for auditing and certification of quality management systems  may help you.

Clarifications of ISO 9001

ISO provides a clarification service for its member bodies, to resolve any identified ambiguities in the standard.

If you, as a user, have a query on the standard you should contact your national standards body or liaison organization in the first instance, to seek advice on resolving it.

As it is an official process, that involves developing consensus among the members of ISO/TC 176/SC 2 to agree on any proposed interpretation, a quick response cannot be expected.

The listing of formally approved interpretations is available to download.

Member bodies should refer to the Guidance on the interpretations process and apply for an interpretation using The "Request for an Interpretation" form.