Qualiopi: what the decree of 1 August 2026 changes on 1 November

Decree no. 2026-728 of 1 August 2026 updates the national quality framework (Référentiel national qualité), the basis of Qualiopi certification. It comes into force on 1 November 2026: the seven criteria remain, the number of indicators goes from 32 to 33.

What the text says

Qualiopi certification is mandatory for providers of skills development actions funded by a skills operator (OPCO), the State, the regions, the Caisse des dépôts, France Travail or Agefiph (article L6316-1 of the Labour Code). It is awarded on the basis of a national framework that sets criteria and indicators.

Decree no. 2026-728 of 1 August 2026 updates this framework. It comes into force on 1 November 2026. The seven criteria are kept; the number of indicators goes from 32 to 33.

What changes in practice

The first published analyses of the text point to a strengthening of about twelve existing indicators, in particular on three points:

1. Public communication (criterion 1). Information published about services, their conditions and their results is subject to more precise requirements.
2. Services entrusted to third parties (criterion 6). The framework for subcontracting and for trainers working through wage portage is formalised.
3. Continuous improvement (criterion 7). The approach now explicitly includes a risk analysis.

The detail of each indicator is set out in the text published in the Journal officiel. That text prevails: before adapting anything, read the indicator in the decree and in the Ministry's reading guide.

Who is affected, and when

All certified organisations and those seeking certification are affected. Audits carried out from 1 November 2026, including surveillance and renewal audits, rely on the updated framework. An organisation whose audit falls in November or December 2026 therefore has a few weeks to update its practices and evidence.

How to prepare

1. Locate your next audit. Check the date of your surveillance or renewal audit, and ask your certification body which version of the framework will apply.
2. Review your communication. Programmes, access conditions, prices, lead times, published results: every piece of published information must be accurate, up to date and justifiable.
3. Review your subcontracting contracts. If you entrust services to third parties or to trainers in wage portage, check that the contractual framework and quality monitoring are documented.
4. Formalise the risk analysis. Build it into your continuous improvement approach: risks identified, actions decided, follow-up.
5. Update the evidence file. Date and version new evidence, so that the auditor finds each requirement immediately.

Key takeaways

• Decree no. 2026-728 of 1 August 2026 updates the national quality framework.
• It comes into force on 1 November 2026: seven criteria unchanged, 33 indicators instead of 32.
• Audits carried out from that date rely on the updated framework.
• Public communication, subcontracting and risk analysis are the priorities to review.

Sources

• Decree no. 2026-728 of 1 August 2026 on the national quality framework for skills development actions
• Labour Code, article L6316-1 (certification requirement)
• Ministry of Labour, Qualiopi quality certification mark

Further reading: the Qualiopi surveillance audit, renewing the certification and our Qualiopi support, which includes the updated framework.