The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published the new edition of ISO 19011:2026 – Guidelines for auditing management systems, the reference standard providing guidance on planning, conducting and improving management system audits.

The new edition retains the structure and fundamental principles of the previous version while providing a number of clarifications and enhancements intended to facilitate the consistent application of the audit process in today’s environment, characterized by digital transformation, the increasing use of information and communication technologies, and growing organizational complexity.

The main aspects highlighted in ISO 19011:2026 include:

  • strengthening the guidance on the integrity of the audit process, emphasizing the importance of planning and managing the audit programme in an objective, independent and impartial manner, free from undue influence;
  • introducing an explicit definition of remote auditing and expanding the guidance on planning and conducting audits using information and communication technologies;
  • clarifying the guidance on the selection and appointment of auditors, ensuring that the audit team possesses the competencies appropriate to the audit objectives and scope;
  • expanding the guidance on obtaining and using post-audit feedback from auditors, auditees and other relevant interested parties to support the continual improvement of the audit programme;
  • providing additional guidance on assessing the feasibility of an audit, including the identification of circumstances that may affect the effective conduct of the audit before audit activities commence;
  • strengthening the guidance on adapting audit activities when changes in initial conditions or other unforeseen circumstances arise during the audit.

In addition, the 2026 edition provides further guidance on the use of digital technologies in the audit process and places greater emphasis on information security, safeguarding the integrity of the audit process, and managing audits conducted in virtual or hybrid environments.

Through these clarifications and additional guidance, ISO 19011:2026 supports organizations and auditors in applying more consistent, flexible and effective auditing practices while preserving the fundamental principles of management system auditing.

The SM EN ISO 19011:2026 – Guidelines for auditing management systems standard is available for purchase through the online store of the Institute for Standardization of Moldova at www.shop.standard.md.