The ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 is a global standard aimed at determining how organizations that provide audits and certifications for management systems should operate. This standard, issued by the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission, strives to increase the reliability and uniformity of these audits and certifications by establishing the key requirements that these organizations must meet.
Here, we will go over the fundamentals of this text, focusing on the more important ISO/IEC 17021 standards requirements mentioned in each section.
Breaking Down ISO/IEC 17021
This standard addresses many audits and certification issues, such as staff competence, reporting, and procedures. It covers the requirements for auditor competence, impartiality, consistency, and the auditing and certification procedure.
As you read through the documents for this standard, you'll come across these broad sections that outline all of the required standards and practices. These are a few examples:
Process Requirements of ISO/IEC 17021:
This section describes the certification processes, including audit preparation, audit execution, certification giving, surveillance operations, and certification renewal or withdrawal.
- Application Assesses and Contract: The certification body must assess certification applications and enter into a written contract with the client. This guarantees that both the body and the client are on the same page on the scope and prerequisites for certification.
- Certifying Program Development: The certifying authority must have developed procedures for generating certification programmes. This is necessary to ensure that certification programmes fulfil applicable standards and are appropriate for the purpose.
- Audit Protocols: Detailed protocols for conducting audits, including planning, performance, reporting, and follow-up, must be established. This guarantees that audits are consistent and effective.
- Certifying Decision: The certifying authority must have a formal process for making certification decisions. This decision-making process must be objective and based on facts acquired throughout the audit.
- Surveillance Operations: Once certification is given, continuing surveillance operations must be carried out to assure continued compliance. This can include regular audits and other assessments.
- Changes in the Scope of Certification: Procedures for renewing, extending, or reducing the scope of certification must be in place. This guarantees that certifications are kept up-to-date and relevant.
Requirements for a Management System of ISO 17021:
The certifying organization must have a management system in place, according to the standard. ISO provides organizations with two options for accelerating adoption:
- Using general management system needs that are thoroughly examined in the text (drawing from the parts listed above) and
- Compliance with ISO 9001 (the quality management system standard).
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Accreditationconsultancy.com is a global consultancy with over 2700 clients in 30 countries that provides ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and other standards, as well as ready-made documentation packages to meet different standards, and ISO certifications. For certifying bodies, Accreditationconsultancy.com offers ISO 17021 accreditation and ISO 17021 documentation consulting. The ISO 17021:2015 Standard outlines the standards for certifying bodies that carry out management system audits and certifications. It provides general specifications for certifying bodies engaged in quality, environmental, and other forms of management system audit and certification.
