What is ISO 19011?

ISO 19011 is the standard that provides Guidelines for Quality or Environmental Management Systems Auditing. Internal audits are a requirement of AS9100 Rev D, addressed in Section 9.2. Although internal audits are a necessity, they are often not performed equally, for this reason ISO 19011 was developed. If you are considering hiring a consultant or are going to use internal auditors in your company, you should ensure that they follow the ISO 19011 requirements.

ISO 19011:2026 (Guidelines for auditing management systems), was published May 1, 2026, and was updated from 2018 because the world of management system auditing had changed significantly since its publication in 2018.

Buy a Copy of the ISO 19011 Standard, which is available in two versions:

• ISO 19011:2026: Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems
• ASQ/ISO 19011:2018: Guidelines for Management Systems Auditing

While maintaining the framework and core purpose of the 2018 version, ISO 19011:2026 introduces updated guidelines for planning and executing modern audits, specifically focusing on remote and hybrid environments.

Important revisions of ISO 19011:2026 to meet the new High-Level Structure include:

• Hybrid and Remote Audit Integration.
• “Virtual Locations” Expanded Definition.
• Risk-Based Approach to Information and Communication Technology is Intensified.
• Planning and Feasibility Lifecycle Audit.
• Verification and Reporting Audit Evidence.
• Climate Change and Evolving Context.
• Requirements of Auditor Competence.

ISO 19011 was designed so organizations can efficiently perform audits using these guidelines. Within one single standard there are now four critical decision/support resources for the efficient planning, conduct, and evaluation of quality and environmental audits:

1. A clear explanation of the principles of management systems auditing.
2. Advice on the competence and evaluation of auditors.
3. Guidance on the management of audit programs.
4. Guidance on the conduct of internal or external audits.

It is a set of principles that will help anyone perform an audit effectively because it focuses on the underlying processes of audit management. It could be used when auditing any management system.