Program requirements: ISO/IEC 17020:2012
Inspection Bodies
Standard
ISO/IEC 17020:2012
Program overview
Organizations covered
- Third-party inspection companies
- Pressure equipment and lifting inspection
- Construction and building inspection
- Product and shipment inspection
Principal requirements
- Requirements include defined inspection methods and procedures
- Requirements include inspector competence and authorization records
- Requirements include independence classification (Type A, B or C)
- Manage of inspection equipment and records
Value of accreditation
- Evidence that supports confidence in inspection results
- Support for competitiveness in regulated sectors
- Support for consistency across inspectors and locations
- Required: independent assessment against defined inspection requirements
Overview
What does a inspection body do?
An inspection body conducts inspections, examinations, measurements, tests or evaluations of products, services, processes or installations to determine conformity with specified requirements. These requirements may include regulatory standards, industry specifications or customer-defined criteria.
Inspection bodies assess product and service quality, safety, and conformity across industries. Their work provides independent verification against the applicable standards and specifications for products, services, or systems.
Accreditation criteria
ISO/IEC 17020:2012
ISO/IEC 17020 is an international standard that specifies requirements for the competence of inspection bodies and the impartiality and consistency of their inspection activities. Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17020 demonstrates that an inspection body has the technical competence, resources and management system in place to conduct inspections effectively and impartially. The standard covers the qualification and competency of personnel, the validity and reliability of inspection methods, and the impartiality and integrity of the inspection process.
Assessment process
Your 6-step path to accreditation
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01
Application submission
Inspection bodies apply for accreditation by submitting an application form with the required documentation, including quality manuals, procedures and evidence of competence.
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02
Accreditation assessment
QAC uses on-site assessment to evaluate the inspection body's compliance with ISO/IEC 17020 requirements, through document review, personnel interviews, and observation of inspection activities.
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03
Accreditation committee review
The accreditation committee reviews the findings to determine whether the inspection body meets the accreditation criteria. Before deciding, the committee may request further information or clarification.
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04
Accreditation decision
The accreditation committee decides accreditation status on the basis of the assessment findings and recommendations. Accredited bodies receive a certificate and an entry in QAC’s official registry.
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05
Annual surveillance assessment
Accredited inspection bodies undergo annual surveillance assessments to evaluate continued conformity, including site visits, document reviews and interviews with personnel.
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06
Reaccreditation every four years
The accreditation cycle is four years. To retain accreditation, inspection bodies must complete reaccreditation at the end of the cycle through a comprehensive reassessment of competence, management system and compliance with ISO/IEC 17020.
Scope
Technical domains within the accreditation scope
The industries and sectors in which inspection bodys operate.
General manufacturing
Activities include inspections of manufacturing processes across industries such as electronics, textiles and consumer goods.
International commerce and trade
Activities include pre-shipment inspections, customs compliance assessments and product certifications to facilitate global trade.
Food safety and hygiene
Activities include food processing facilities, restaurants and catering services, verifying compliance with food safety regulations and hygiene standards.
Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
Activities include healthcare facilities, medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical production processes for regulatory compliance and patient safety.
Construction and engineering
Activities include inspections of construction sites, infrastructure projects and building materials against building codes and safety regulations.
Environmental compliance
Activities include environmental regulations and pollution control measures, including waste management procedures and environmental standards.
Occupational health and safety
Activities include workplace safety standards and regulations to identify and mitigate workplace hazards for employee safety.
Governmental compliance
Activities include compliance with government regulations across industries including manufacturing, transportation and utilities.
Automotive and transportation
Activities include automotive manufacturing processes and vehicle inspections against transportation safety regulations.
Financial and banking
Activities include compliance with financial regulations and auditing standards for banks, insurance companies and financial institutions.
Energy and utilities
Activities include energy production facilities and utility infrastructure against renewable energy standards and regulations.
Agriculture and farming
Activities include farms, livestock facilities and agricultural practices for food safety and environmental sustainability.
Education
Activities include educational institutions and accreditation standards for educational quality assurance and regulatory requirements.
Security and defense
Security and defence industry regulations and standards, including security protocols, equipment and procedures.
Nuclear
Activities include nuclear safety regulations and standards for nuclear facility operations and public safety.
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