Assent

21/09/2026

ISO 9001:2026 is here. ISO 9001:2026 is here, so what’s actually changed?

The latest episode of Exploring Standards is coming this Wednesday, with Jess joined by Robert Clements from Assent Risk Management to talk through the latest ISO 9001 update.

In the episode, we take a closer look at the changes in the 2026 edition, what they mean for organisations currently certified to ISO 9001:2015, and what you need to be thinking about as you prepare for the transition.

Here’s a little preview of what’s coming.

The full episode is out Wednesday.

:2026

The latest episode of Exploring Standards is coming this Wednesday, with Jess joined by Robert Clements from Assent Risk Management to talk through the latest ISO 9001 update.

In the episode, we take a closer look at the changes in the 2026 edition, what they mean for organisations currently certified to ISO 9001:2015, and what you need to be thinking about as you prepare for the transition.

The full episode is out Wednesday.
🔗https://exploringstandards.podbean.com/

:2026

17/09/2026

UK manufacturers and precision engineering companies have some world-class capabilities but with industries changing fast, diversification into the automotive sector can represent a significant opportunity. Businesses already supplying demanding industries such as aerospace, defence, oil and gas, energy and advanced engineering already possess much of the manufacturing capability, quality culture and process control needed to compete for automotive work.

However, having the technical capability to manufacture an automotive component does not necessarily mean that you are ready to enter the automotive supply chain.

Automotive manufacturers operate sophisticated global supply chains in which quality, traceability, defect prevention, production control and supplier performance are closely scrutinised. For many suppliers, IATF 16949 is therefore one of the most important frameworks to understand.

For the right manufacturing organisation, implementing IATF 16949 can form part of a wider strategy for accessing automotive supply chain opportunities, demonstrating capability to prospective customers and developing the processes expected by automotive OEMs and their suppliers.

At Assent Risk Management, we can help manufacturers understand these requirements, develop their management systems, prepare for IATF 16949 certification and address the wider compliance and supplier pre-qualification requirements involved in entering a new sector.

Read the full blog here: https://www.assentriskmanagement.co.uk/automotive-supply-chain/

16/09/2026

ISO 9001:2026 IS PUBLISHED!

The latest version of ISO 9001 has officially been published.

We’re now taking the time to properly understand the changes before developing the competencies, guidance and resources we need to effectively support our clients through the transition.

There’s no need to panic. You have a three-year transition period, giving certified organisations time to understand the changes and prepare.

We’ll keep you updated as we work through the new standard and share what you need to know.

15/09/2026

Artificial Intelligence is transforming almost every industry, with organisations rapidly deploying AI to automate decisions, analyse data, improve customer service and increase productivity.

But while the technology has advanced at an astonishing pace, the governance of AI is still trying to catch up. There are many questions about accountability, transparency, risk and trust which are dominating discussions amongst regulators, business leaders and standards bodies.

Read the full blog here: https://www.assentriskmanagement.co.uk/ai-can-learn-from-aerospace/

11/09/2026

We are thrilled to announce that UK Connect has successfully achieved certification to ISO 9001, a significant milestone reflecting their commitment to quality management. It has been our privilege to support them on this journey, assisting in the development and implementation of an integrated management system that truly aligns with their operational goals. Dive into our latest case study to discover the insights and efforts that paved the way for this remarkable achievement.

Explore their journey here: https://www.assentriskmanagement.co.uk/uk-connect/.


https://www.assentriskmanagement.co.uk/uk-connect/

UK Connect is a trusted provider of telecom and IT services, offering high-quality solutions to businesses across the UK. Their commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction drives their ongoing investment in quality management practices.

09/09/2026

🎙️ ISO 27001 vs SOC 2: Preparing for Your Assessment | Part 2 with Sam Mather and Rob Hall

Originally recorded as part of an Assent Risk Management webinar, this conversation has now been adapted into a two-part Exploring Standards podcast.

In Part 2, Sam Mather from Assent and Rob Hall from Tempo Audits take a closer look at what organisations can expect from an ISO 27001 or SOC 2 assessment.

What do auditors look for? How can you prepare your evidence? What’s the difference between SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2? And what are some of the common challenges organisations face when preparing for assessment?

The conversation also explores why preparation is so important and how getting the right support can help organisations approach their assessment with greater confidence.

🎧 Listen to Part 2 now, wherever you get your podcasts.
https://exploringstandards.podbean.com/e/iso-27001-vs-soc-2-preparing-for-your-assessment-part-2-with-sam-mather-and-rob-hall/

08/09/2026

Maintaining ISO Certification After Separating from a Parent Company many organisations implement ISO management systems and achieve certification at a group or parent level, with a scope that covers all corporate entities.

This has many advantages, including shared compliance resources and a reduction in audit time, based on sampling.

However, when companies separate from the parent company, whether through an acquisition, management buy-out or other reason, maintaining a complete operational management system and the associated ISO certification can be difficult.

At Assent, this is a scenario we are increasingly seeing, and we’ve successfully helped many organisations pull away from a parent with minimal disruption to their compliance frameworks. Here we share some insights.

Read the full blog here: https://www.assentriskmanagement.co.uk/maintain-your-iso/

08/09/2026

How do organisations choose their ISO certification provider?

We’re conducting new research to understand how UK organisations approach certification decisions, and what role accreditation plays in those decisions.

We want to hear from people who have been involved in choosing or evaluating an ISO management system certification provider within the past three years.

The survey explores:
- What factors influence certification provider decisions
- How familiar buyers are with accreditation
- The role of UKAS and other recognised national accreditation bodies
- What information helps buyers feel confident in their choice

🕐 10–13 minutes to complete

🎁 Complete the survey for your chance to win one of four £50 Amazon vouchers.

If you’ve been involved in choosing or evaluating an ISO certification provider, we’d like to hear your perspective.

👉 Take the survey: https://www.assentriskmanagement.co.uk/market-research-uk-certification-buyers-attitudes-towards-non-ukas-accreditation/

UK Certification Buyers’ Attitudes Towards Non-UKAS Accreditation We want to understand what matters to businesses, professionals and organisations across risk, resilience, compliance and sustainability. Take the survey 10–13 minutes · Open [DATE] to [DATE] · Chance to win 1 of 4 £50 Amazon v...

07/09/2026

📢 Webinar: ISO 9001:2026 – Understanding the Changes and Preparing for Transition

The next version of ISO 9001 is coming, with the revised standard due to be published on 16 September 2026.

To help organisations understand what the changes will mean in practice, Assent Risk Management and SGS are joining forces for a webinar on the transition from ISO 9001:2015 to ISO 9001:2026.

We'll explore:

🔹 The key changes in ISO 9001:2026
🔹 What they mean for organisations
🔹 How the transition from ISO 9001:2015 will work
🔹 What to expect from the certification audit
🔹 What evidence organisations will need to demonstrate
🔹 Common challenges and how to prepare

We’ll bring together perspectives from both a consultancy and a certification body, before finishing with a live Q&A where you can put your questions directly to Assent and SGS.

📅 Thursday 8 October 2026
⏰ 1:00pm (BST)
🎟️ Free to attend
👉 Register for free: https://streamyard.com/watch/3X84tJyR3SSw

ISO 9001 has been updated. Join Assent Risk Management and SGS for a practical webinar exploring the key changes in ISO 9001:2026 and what they mean for organisations currently certified to ISO 9001:2015. We'll look at why the standard has been revised, the key changes organisations need to understa...

02/09/2026

🚨 ISO 20252:2026 has been published!

The new edition of the standard for market, opinion and social research was published yesterday, bringing several important updates - including new requirements around AI and related technologies, as well as changes to sampling, panel management, information security, and more.

We’ve taken a first look at the new standard and summarised the key changes in our latest blog. Find out what ISO 20252:2026 means for your organisation. 👇

🔗 https://www.assentriskmanagement.co.uk/iso-202522026-has-been-published-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

The latest revision of ISO 20252:2026 has several significant changes, including: What’s New in ISO 20252:2026? Assent Risk Management is one of the leading global consultancies for ISO 20252 the standard for Market, Opinion and Social Research, including insights and data analytics, so a 2026 upd...