Certification bodies are audited by an accreditation body against ISO 17021.
The audit process is similar to a certification process.
The overall aim of this standard is to give confidence and trust in a
certificate.
The principles for inspiring confidence and trust are:
Openness
- * Publicly accessible information of certification status of any organization.
- * Publicly accessible information of suspended certificates.
- * Openness and responsiveness to complaints including complaints about a certified client.
- Info between a CB and client about
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- audit and certification process.
- * Publicly procedures for handling complaints.
- use of marks and certificates.
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Impartiality
Definition: Actual and perceived presence of impartiality
- * Publicly accessible statement of impartiality.
- Committee for safeguarding impartiality.
Threats to impartiality:
- Self-interest :* Marketing or offering consultancy, products, specific training, ...
- Self-review
- Familiarity
- Intimidation
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Certification Process requirements
- * Publicly accessible process for handling of appeals.
- Initial audit and certification(3 years cycle).
- Surveillance activities (at least annually).
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Competence
- Proven knowledge, expertise and Skills.
in the organization’s field or industry.
An individual whose only background is in healthcare does not have the requisite competence to assess a chemical manufacturing facility.
- ISO19011 Guidelines for auditing management systems are mandatory and shall be implemented.
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Responsibility
- Subcontracting, external auditors and external technical experts shall not be outsourced to a management system consultancy organization.
- The certification body shall retain the authority for granting or not
a certificate
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Management system requirements
- As defined in ISO 17012 or ISO 9001 w/o certification
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ISO BENCHMARK - ISO 9001 - ISO14001
