New ISO/CASCO clarifications on ISO/IEC 17021-1

Bulletin date:
Bulletin number:
2017-30

Action required

Customers and Assessors are requested to review the interpretations linked below, and take note of the official clarifications from ISO/CASCO Working Group 21 (WG21).

 

Affected customers

This change affects accredited and applicant management systems certification bodies, as well as SCC assessors.

 

Background

ISO/CASCO WG21 is the working group responsible for the ISO/IEC 17021-1 standard. Recently, two ISO member bodies submitted requests for clarifications on specific clauses of the standard.

 

The first clarification request refers to clause 9.4.8.3a. It concerns the requirements of the audit report, and most specifically, whether a detailed list of, or references to, documents containing the audit evidence fulfills the requirements of the clause. The consensus of WG21 was that such a proposal would fulfill the requirements, but that the clause was not intended to be so specific; therefore other approaches could also satisfy the intent of the clause. What is important is that the evidence in whatever form it takes clearly indicates:

  • the capability of the management system to meet applicable requirements and expected outcomes;
  • the internal audit and management review process;

All stakeholders are encouraged to review the full ISO/CASCO Clarification Report available online. 

 

The second clarification request refers to clauses 7.1.2, 7.1.3, and Annex B – B1 General. It concerns the determination of competence criteria, and evaluation processes. Specifically, it was asked if it is mandatory to evaluate any individual by more than one method irrespective of one’s related education and experience including audit experience with an accredited Certification Body. The consensus of WG21 was that the standard is intentionally not that specific. The group reiterated that the CB has two important tasks: first to establish the competence criteria and effectively evaluate against that criteria – in many cases one method may not be enough.  As well, it was asked if the extensive study of an individual and/or work experience can be considered for an audit based on the review of profile. The consensus of WG21 was that this question cannot be answered Yes or No, because it is too dependent upon all of the information available about the individual. Again, stakeholders are encouraged to review the full ISO/CASCO Clarification Report on these two clarifications available online. 

 

New requirements

None; there are just these two official ISO/CASCO clarifications of existing requirements.

 

Deadline

These interpretations are in place effective immediately.

 

Questions?

Please contact Cynthia Milito, Acting Vice President – Accreditation Services, at cynthia.milito@scc-ccn.ca or +1 613 238 3222 for more information.