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ISO/IEC 17020 is the international standard that sets the requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistency of bodies performing inspection. The current edition is ISO/IEC 17020:2012. It applies to inspection bodies in both the public and the private sector. With CE Danışmanı (CE Consultant) you prepare for ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation through a single point of contact for the whole process.
Who the standard is for
Any organisation that examines a product, process, installation or service and determines whether it conforms to specified requirements can be accredited as an inspection body. Typical fields:
- Conformity of products and services with standards or specifications
- Safety of buildings, infrastructure and installations
- Environmental inspections and the reporting of environmental effects
- Surveillance of production and of project stages against a specification
- Industrial plants, construction projects, food production and health services
Testing and calibration laboratories are covered by a different standard, ISO/IEC 17025. Product certification bodies fall under ISO/IEC 17065.
What the standard requires
| Area | Content |
|---|---|
| General requirements | Impartiality, independence and integrity. Information obtained during an inspection is kept confidential. |
| Organisation and management | Legal status, defined structure, responsibilities and authorities. |
| Resources | Competent personnel in sufficient number, and suitable facilities and equipment. |
| Inspection process | Inspection methods and procedures, handling of items, inspection records, and inspection reports delivered to the client. |
| Complaints and appeals | A defined process for receiving complaints and appeals and for correcting nonconformities. |
| Management system | Quality policy, control of documents and records, internal audit, corrective action and continual improvement. |
Why inspection bodies seek accreditation
- Confidence. Accreditation shows clients that inspections are carried out to an internationally accepted standard.
- Consistency. Defined methods and competent staff give inspection results that are accurate and repeatable.
- Market access. ISO/IEC 17020 is recognised internationally, which helps a body work for clients in other countries.
- Risk control. Defined processes and continual improvement reduce errors.
Who grants the accreditation?
Accreditation is granted by a national accreditation body. In Turkey that body is TÜRKAK, which also publishes guidance on the accreditation of inspection bodies. For the background see what accreditation is.
The process
- Understanding the requirements. Comparing the body’s current operation with the standard and deciding the scope of inspection activities.
- Setting up the management system. Procedures, records, inspection methods, personnel competence and impartiality arrangements.
- Internal audit. Finding the gaps and applying corrective action before the application.
- Application to the accreditation body.
- Assessment. The accreditation body reviews the management system and observes the inspection activities.
- Accreditation decision. The accreditation is granted for a defined period and is followed up with periodic assessments.
If nonconformities are raised, they have to be closed before the accreditation is granted.
How CE Danışmanı helps
- Gap analysis against ISO/IEC 17020 and definition of the scope
- Preparation of the management system documentation and inspection procedures
- Training on the standard for management and inspection personnel
- Internal audit and corrective actions before the assessment
- Support during the accreditation assessment
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