ISO/IEC 17020:2012 specifies requirements for the competence of bodies performing inspection and for the impartiality and consistency of their inspection activities.
The ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Standard for Conformity Assessment is an essential standard for any organization seeking to perform inspections on behalf of organizations, clients or authorities.
The standard includes all activities performed by an inspection body including examining products, installations, plants, processes, procedures, services and determining their conformity and the reporting of results. A certain degree of professional judgement and expertise is required when conducting inspections and the ISO/IEC 17020:2012 standard can be used as a required or screening document of accreditation for any organization seeking to conduct inspections.
It applies to inspection bodies of type A, B or C, as defined in ISO/IEC 17020:2012, and it applies to any stage of inspection.
Benefits of ISO/IEC 17020
- Incorporates same level of requirements for the organizational quality management system as ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17000 Series
- Puts greater emphasis on organizational ability to manage impartiality and conflicts of interest, as well as the technical competence of people, inspection processes and equipment
- Provides assurance of technically competent service and consistently reliable results
- Reducing costs and lowering risks
- Demonstrates products, equipment, structures and systems meeting required specifications
- Governments and industries around the world are increasingly requiring use of accredited inspection services
- Allows an organization to demonstrate integrity, reliability and Good Practices to their customers
- Improved efficiency, productivity and effectiveness within the overall Inspection bodies operation,
- Improved degree of inspiration, co–activity, workmanship and quality mindfulness including capability
- Increased trust in assessment information and of staff performing work. More prominent control of procedures and exercises all through review bodies.
- Provide recommendations on analysis of knowledge also as perfect record keeping.
- Establish confidence of management and customers on results also as reports and increase customers trust also as market share.
- Better image of inspection bodies as a top quality inspection bodies in global market.
- Worldwide recognition and credibility.
- An ISO 17020:2012 accredited inspection body features a definite edge over competitors.
Basic Requirements for ISO 17020
- Administrative requirements
- Requirements for independence, impartiality, and integrity
- Confidentiality
- Organization and management
- Quality system
- Personnel
- Facilities and equipment
- Inspection methods and procedures
- Handling of inspection samples and items
- Control of records
- Inspection reports and inspection certificates
- Subcontracting
- Complaints and appeals
- Cooperation with other inspection bodies