Definition
What is the ISO/IEC 17021-1 standard?
The ISO/IEC 17021-1 standard sets out the requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001, ISO 22000, etc.). Published in 2015, it is the global benchmark for accrediting certification bodies (CBs).
The standard covers impartiality, confidentiality, structural requirements, resource requirements (auditors, technical experts), information management requirements, process requirements (application, audit, decision, surveillance, certification cycle), and management system requirements of the CB itself.
ISO 17021-1 is supplemented by sector-specific parts: 17021-2 (environmental), 17021-3 (quality), 17021-4 (event sustainability), 17021-5 (asset management), 17021-6 (business continuity), 17021-7 (road traffic safety), 17021-9 (anti-bribery), 17021-10 (occupational health and safety). Each adds competence requirements for auditors specific to the relevant scheme.
Who is ISO/IEC 17021-1 for?
The standard targets certification bodies issuing certificates against management system standards: BSI, SGS, DNV, Bureau Veritas, LRQA, TÜV, NQA, Intertek, and dozens of smaller specialised CBs.
Why get certified?
ISO 17021 accreditation is mandatory to issue accredited certificates, conditions IAF recognition (so certificates are accepted worldwide), required for participation in regulated certification schemes, and builds market credibility as a certification body.
Version
ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015
Certified
Accredited by IAS, ANAB, A2LA, UKAS
Validity
Varies by accreditation
Avg. timeline
12 to 24 months
