January 2026: Major Updates in Service Quality and Management Standards

The start of 2026 brings a significant wave of change with five newly published ISO standards in service quality, organizational management, administration, transport, and applied sociology. These updates support organizations looking to elevate risk management, supply chain transparency, operational excellence, and post-project evaluations. With heightened regulatory, stakeholder, and market expectations worldwide, now is the critical time for industry professionals, compliance leaders, and quality managers to understand and implement these influential standards.

Overview / Introduction

The service industry, along with the fields of company organization, quality management, administration, and transport, is experiencing ever-increasing complexity. Stakeholders expect not just robust operations, but also transparency, safety, and ongoing improvement—whether in laboratory risk management, supply chain verification, or post-project assessments.

International standards serve as the foundation for achieving these outcomes. They provide globally recognized requirements and best practices, ensuring compatibility, safety, and high performance across borders and sectors. This article explores five new ISO publications released in January 2026, highlighting key requirements, implementation insights, and their impact on modern service organizations.

In this roundup, you will learn:

• What each new standard covers and their main requirements
• How changes affect compliance, performance, and industry practices
• Best practices and technical insights for successful adoption

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO/TS 7446:2026 – Biorisk Management for Laboratories: Implementation Guidance

Implementation guidance for biorisk management for laboratories and other related organizations

Released: January 30, 2026

ISO/TS 7446:2026 offers practical supplemental guidance for organizations looking to implement the requirements of ISO 35001, the internationally recognized biorisk management standard. While not introducing new requirements, this Technical Specification provides step-by-step recommendations specifically tailored for laboratories and related organizations dealing with biological materials.

The standard helps organizations contextualize biorisk management within their structure, covering aspects such as:

• Understanding both internal and external organizational context and stakeholder expectations
• Scoping and documentation of the biorisk management system
• Leadership responsibilities and the structure of biorisk management teams, including the roles of top management and specialized advisors
• Rigorous planning, hazard/threat analysis, assessment and mitigation of biorisks
• Worker competence, behavior, and health programs
• Facility operations: maintenance, security, inventory control, microbiological techniques, and PPE management

This guidance is intended for laboratories, research institutions, and similar organizations working with biological risks. Practical implementation means enhanced safety culture, regulatory compliance, and reduced incidents related to biological hazards. Notable updates include more detailed recommendations on facility planning, operational controls, and performance evaluation methods specific to laboratory environments.

Key highlights:

• In-depth instructions for translating ISO 35001 requirements into effective daily practice
• Expanded focus on hazard recognition, risk assessment, and mitigation planning
• Enhanced guidance on personnel management, training, and communication

Access the full standard:View ISO/TS 7446:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 22095-2:2026 – Chain of Custody: Requirements and Guidelines for Mass Balance

Chain of custody — Part 2: Requirements and guidelines for mass balance

Released: January 26, 2026

ISO 22095-2:2026 refines and clarifies the application of the mass balance chain of custody model, building on the terminology and frameworks established in ISO 22095. Mass balance chain of custody models are critical in industries where it is impractical to segregate physical materials, such as chemicals, transportation fuels, food, textiles, and organics.

This standard details:

• Differentiation of mass balance from controlled blending and book and claim systems
• System boundary requirements, including geography and timeframes for tracking material inputs and outputs
• Use of key methodologies: rolling average percentage method and the credit method for material attribution
• Requirements for system setup, evaluation periods, data sources, and avoidance of double counting in credits
• Robust guidance on transparent communication of claims and business-to-business, as well as business-to-consumer, disclosures

Organizations seeking formal recognition for sustainability, fair trade, or renewable content will find this standard especially valuable. It is widely applicable across supply chains in transportation, chemicals, energy, forestry, manufacturing, and more. ISO 22095-2:2026 raises the reliability of chain of custody claims by strengthening documentation and transparency requirements.

Key highlights:

• Clear differentiation of mass balance models from alternative chain of custody systems
• In-depth guidance on system boundaries, credit accounting, attribution methods, and conversion factors
• Enhanced requirements for avoiding double counting and improving communications credibility

Access the full standard:View ISO 22095-2:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 22095-3:2026 – Chain of Custody: Requirements and Guidelines for Book and Claim

Chain of custody — Part 3: Requirements and guidelines for book and claim

Released: January 23, 2026

ISO 22095-3:2026 provides a dedicated framework for implementing the book and claim chain of custody model. Unlike mass balance, the book and claim system allows organizations to track and claim specified characteristics (such as renewable content or emissions reductions) without requiring a physical link between product attributes and material flow. Instead, administrative records (called TIECs: Transferrable Instruments with Entitlement to Claim) underpin the system.

ISO 22095-3:2026 explains:

• How book and claim differs crucially from physical chain of custody methods
• Defining system boundaries, timeframes, and the handling of TIECs
• Handling issuance, storage, transfer, and retirement of TIECs for materials/products
• Detailed methods for attribution, recordkeeping, transparency, and communication of claims
• Industry interoperability and best practices for credible third-party claims

This approach is ideally suited to industries like energy, carbon credits, or recycled material schemes where attribute separation from physical product is necessary. By standardizing book and claim system operation, the standard enables market participants to trade and retire claims with confidence, preventing double counting and increasing market trust.

Key highlights:

• Establishes common requirements and best practices for managing TIECs
• Detailed criteria for communication of attribute claims and preventing double-counting
• Guidance on ensuring transparency, credibility, and interoperability with other chain of custody models

Access the full standard:View ISO 22095-3:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 2859-1:2026 – Acceptance Sampling Procedures for Inspection by Attributes (AQL)

Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes — Part 1: Sampling schemes indexed by acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot-by-lot inspection

Released: January 22, 2026

The updated ISO 2859-1:2026 offers comprehensive procedures for statistical acceptance sampling, crucial for quality assurance in production, supply chain, and administrative processes. This third edition introduces revised and expanded methodologies for selecting and interpreting single, double, and multiple sampling plans indexed by Acceptance Quality Limits (AQL).

Key areas include:

• Criteria and procedures for forming inspection lots and conducting random sample selection
• Evaluation of lots based on conformity/nonconformity and critical classes of defects
• Economic and statistical guidance to minimize risks for both producers and consumers
• New and clarified procedures for skip-lot sampling inspection, risk quantification, and switching rules
• Implementable data tables supporting different inspection levels, acceptance numbers, and risk controls

This standard is essential for manufacturing, supply chain operations, maintenance, records management, and administrative processes where inspection by attributes supports regulatory or customer expectations. Notable technical updates include new skip-lot sampling guidance, improved switching procedures, and expanded statistical analysis tools (OC, ASN curves).

Key highlights:

• Up-to-date sampling schemes for single, double, and multiple plan inspections
• Enhanced risk management and efficiency for both producers and consumers
• New skip-lot inspection procedures, statistical methods, and guidance

Access the full standard:View ISO 2859-1:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 21513:2026 – Guidance on Post-Project and Post-Programme Evaluation

Project, programme and portfolio management — Guidance on post-project and post-programme evaluation

Released: January 13, 2026

ISO 21513:2026 delivers vital guidance for the structured evaluation of projects and programmes after completion. Its holistic approach addresses setting objectives, planning, organizing, and conducting evaluations to capture lessons learned, measure actual outcomes, and assess lasting benefits.

Key aspects of the standard include:

• Defining principles such as credibility, independence, objectivity, and proportionality in evaluations
• Roles and responsibilities for evaluation teams, sponsors, stakeholders, and recommendation implementation teams
• Thematic areas for review: governance, management, strategic alignment, achievement of outputs/outcomes, organizational/societal impacts, sustainability, and future use
• Evaluation practices detailing steps for defining objectives, planning, data collection, analysis, reporting, and review

Applicable for any organization—public, private, or nonprofit—this standard is invaluable for project managers, PMOs, quality teams, and executive sponsors determined to realize benefits from completed initiatives and foster continuous improvement.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive, consistent framework for credible post-project evaluation
• Clear assignment of roles, principles, and steps for effective organizational learning
• Recommendations supporting continuous improvement and future success

Access the full standard:View ISO 21513:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

With the release of these new standards, organizations across the services, administration, transport, and management sectors face fresh opportunities and responsibilities:

• Compliance: Early assessment of conformity gaps is crucial, as international clients and regulators increasingly require certification or evidence-based alignment with ISO best practices.
• Benefits: Effective implementation delivers improved risk management (especially for laboratories), robust supply chain transparency (chain of custody), higher product/service quality (sampling procedures), and measurable long-term outcomes (post-project evaluation).
• Risks of Non-Compliance: Organizations lagging behind may face competitive disadvantages, supply chain exclusion, negative audit findings, or reputational risks—particularly where sustainability or safety claims are scrutinized.
• Timelines: As these standards become industry benchmarks, organizations should prioritize gap analysis and phased adoption, working with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and certification bodies where relevant.

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements

Across these latest standards, several technical themes emerge:

• Clarity in Scope and Accountability: Whether managing risks, verifying quality, or aligning attributes to supply chains, defining clear system boundaries, process owners, and documentation is fundamental.
• Risk Management and Hazard Assessment: Biorisk management (ISO/TS 7446), for instance, intricately maps risk assessment, mitigation, and performance measures—elements mirrored in attribute-based inspection sampling and supply chain evaluations.
• Robust Documentation and Recordkeeping: Chain of custody standards (ISO 22095 series) and sampling schemes (ISO 2859-1) emphasize the necessity for traceable, secure documentation for accountability and auditability.
• Transparency and Communication: All standards raise the bar for organizational communication—be it in public-facing claims about mass balance, technical results from sampling, or findings from post-programme evaluations.

Implementation Best Practices

• Cross-Functional Teams: Engage cross-cutting functional teams (risk, quality, operations, HR) for holistic adoption.
• Gap Analysis: Benchmark existing processes against the new standards; create action plans for identified gaps.
• Training and Awareness: Educate key staff on relevant technical requirements (sampling plans, chain of custody systems, evaluation processes).
• Auditing and Continuous Improvement: Build regular audits and feedback loops to ensure sustained compliance and drive continuous improvement.

Testing and Certification Considerations

• Sampling Plan Validation: Validate your sampling strategies under ISO 2859-1 for statistical rigor and regulatory acceptance.
• System Certification: Where relevant, seek third-party certification for management systems (especially for biorisk and supply chain standards) to demonstrate compliance externally.
• Transparent Claims: When communicating supply chain sustainability or safety claims, follow the detailed requirements for transparency and supporting evidence as codified in the new standards.

Conclusion / Next Steps

The January 2026 tranche of international standards marks a step change in how organizations manage risk, assure quality, and demonstrate sustainable, effective operations. Each standard introduced this month offers not only technical requirements but also practical implementation guidance tailored for today’s service-driven, compliance-focused landscape.

Key takeaways:

• Aligning with these standards positions organizations for regulatory compliance, improved risk management, and market trust
• Early adoption and robust implementation lead to competitive advantage and long-term operational resilience
• Cross-functional engagement, targeted training, and continuous improvement are crucial for sustainable success

Next steps for professionals and organizations:

1. Download and study the full text of relevant standards from iTeh Standards
2. Conduct a standards gap analysis within your organization
3. Develop an implementation roadmap prioritizing internal capabilities, training, and documentation
4. Engage with certification bodies and professional networks to stay on top of compliance, interpretation, and best practices

Explore all the newest 2026 standards and stay at the forefront of service quality, management, and compliance at iTeh Standards.