ISO/IEC 17020 Conformity Assessment
The principle standard used by International Accreditation Service (IAS) for the accreditation of Inspection Bodies is ISO/IEC 17020.
This international standard was lately updated from the 1998 version to ISO/IEC 17020 , Conformity assessment – Needs for the operation of various types of bodies presenting examination.
The accreditation of Inspection Agencies is conducted through the utilization and achievement of ISO/IEC 17020 – General needs for the operation of various types of bodies performing check. This incorporates the Inspection Body’s ability to withhold a quality management system and capability to competently carry out inspections.
The second edition of ISO/IEC 17020 was published in March 2012. This efficient version includes some changes that Inspection Bodies (IBs) will require to apply within your management system in order to maintain. The purpose of this letter is to explain the transition procedure that putting in place to enable IB accreditation to be transferred to the new standard within an internationally decided timeframe.
Benefits of ISO/IEC 17020
Reduce costs; avoid any needless cost for re-work or re-inspection.
Get new business through better reception of your products and services.
Increase official identification and evidence of conformity to global standards.
Boost competitiveness and marketplace access.
How to achieve ISO/IEC 17020
Gap Analysis
Awareness Training
Documentation Design and finalization
Implementazione
Internal Auditor Training and conduct of internal audit
Management Review Meeting
Review of Implementation
Stage 1 – certification audit
Stage 2 – certification audit
Award of ISO / IEC 17020 Accreditation
Continual development of the system through value added certificate and training services
Service description:
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 specifies requirements for the competence of bodies performing inspection and for the impartiality and consistency of their inspection activities. 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.
The significance of third and second party inspections has assumed greater significance in the background of increasing reliance on reliable conformity assessment results by regulators as well as by large scale buyers including retail segments. While certification schemes fulfill these requirements to a certain extent, a large component of trade relies on pre dispatch commodity inspection. A large number of buyers / regulators impose stringent conditions on the inspection systems and technical competence of the inspection agencies before empanelment, which are to be demonstrated and sustained by the Inspection bodies.
Inspection body accreditation is the procedure by which an authoritative body gives a formal recognition that an inspection body is competent and impartial to carry out the inspection service according to ISO/IEC 17020. The objective of accreditation is to assure the clients of the quality of the inspection service of the inspection body as well as to avoid duplicate inspection which may be required on the clients. Examples of the inspection bodies are those for boilers in factories, liquid petroleum gas, pressure vessels, Used cars, pre-shipment inspection body, eccetera.
To apply for accreditation, the inspection body must comply with the standard ISO/IEC 17020 General Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection.
Inspection Body:- is a body which carries out the examination of the product design, product, service, process or plant, and determination of their conformity with specific requirements or general requirements. The inspection body shall be legally identifiable, and shall have documentation which describes its functions and the technical scope of activity for which it is competent.
Type of Inspection Body :- Inspection body can be classified into 3 types as follows :
Type A inspection body is the inspection body which provides “third party” inspection service. The inspection body and its staff shall not engage in any activities that may conflict with their independence of judgement and integrity in relation to their inspection activities.
Type B inspection body is the inspection body which forms a separate and an identifiable part of an Organization and has been established to supply inspection services to its parent organization.
Type C inspection body is the inspection body which forms an identifiable part of an organization and has been established to supply inspection services to its parent organization and other external organizations.
Perciò, inspection body can be an organization or part of an organization.
Organization and Management of Inspection Body :
The inspection body shall have an organization that enables it to maintain the capability to perform its technical functions satisfactorily.
The inspection body shall define and document the responsibilities and reporting structure of the organization.
The inspection body shall designate a technical manager, who is qualified and experienced in the operation of the inspection body.
The inspection body’s staff shall be supervised to have knowledge and understanding of inspection methods and procedures in order to carry out the inspection services effectively.
The inspection body shall have named persons who will deputize in the absence of any manager, however named, responsible for inspection services.
