Management Systems Update: Withdrawal of IAF MD 11:2019

Bulletin date:
Bulletin number:
2021-01

Action required

Accredited management system certification bodies (CBs) shall be aware that the following IAF document has been withdrawn, with the following action required:


IAF MD 11:2019, issue 2, version 2, for the application of ISO/IEC 17021-1 for audits of integrated management systems has been withdrawn, and all CBs shall revert back to IAF MD 11:2013, Issue 1, version 3, for the application of ISO/IEC 17021-1 for audits of integrated management systems until July 2021. At that time, IAF intends to issue a new version of IAF MD11.

 

Affected customers

Certification bodies who are accredited under ISO/IEC 17021-1.

 

Background

IAF MD 11 provides requirements for the application of ISO/IEC 17021-1 for the planning and execution of audits of integrated management systems (IMS) against two or more sets of audit criteria/standards, and certification if appropriate.   

 

New requirements

MD 11: 2019 addresses extended audit approach (EAEA) which is applicable to fully integrated management systems.  Specific conditions for implementing EAEA include, but are not limited to, a mandatory planning session, EAEA training for the lead auditor and specific clauses being assigned to the lead auditor.


Concerns around the consistent implementation of the revised document and new EAA requirements, as well as issues around the conformity with auditor competence requirements in ISO/IEC 17021-1 and the time reductions allowed by EAA were raised to the IAF Technical Committee (TE). 


Because of the nature of these changes and the TC's focus to proactively promote consistency and harmonization, the decision was made to withdraw IAF MD 11:2019 IAF Mandatory Document for the Application of ISO/IEC 17021-1 for Audits of Integrated Management Systems; this decision has been approved by IAF membership on December the 12th, 2020.

 

Deadline

Accredited management system certification bodies shall continue to implement IAF MD 11:2013 until July 2021.

 

Questions?

Please contact Abdel Kassou, Manager, Compliance and Assessment Services, at abdel.kassou@scc-ccn.ca or +1 613 238 3222 for more information.