Every accredited certification body depends on strong documentation. It’s what proves consistency, impartiality, and control. Yet, when accreditation assessors arrive, the same question often surfaces: Do you have the right documents — and are they actually being used?
This guide brings together every essential component of a compliant ISO/IEC 17021-1 documentation system. You’ll learn exactly which policies, procedures, templates, and records your certification body needs, how they connect to the clauses, and how to keep them maintained and audit-ready.
In my experience helping CBs prepare for accreditation, documentation is usually the difference between a clean report and a list of findings. One CB I worked with replaced a scattered file system with a structured toolkit tied to clauses 6–10 — their next assessment was completed in half the time, with no documentation findings.
Core ISO/IEC 17021-1 Documentation Requirements (Clauses 6 to 10)
The standard isn’t prescriptive about document format, but it’s explicit about control and coverage. Your toolkit should reflect these five documentation pillars:
Clause 6 – Structural Requirements: organization charts, impartiality policy, conflict-of-interest procedure, committee terms of reference.
Clause 7 – Resource Requirements: competence criteria, training plans, witness-audit forms, competence-review records.
Pro Tip: Build a single document matrix mapping each clause to its supporting procedure or record. Assessors immediately see that you’ve covered every requirement.
The Essential Policy and Manual Documents
Start your toolkit with foundation documents that describe your system:
Impartiality Policy – defines how impartiality risks are managed and reviewed.
Confidentiality Policy – ensures client data is protected at every stage.
Management-System Policy – your overall commitment to competence and continual improvement.
Each policy should be short, referenced in your management-system documentation, and approved by top management. These form the “front cover” of your compliance story.
Pro Tip: Keep these documents simple. Assessors care more about implementation than elegant wording.
Q1: What’s the difference between mandatory and supporting documents? Mandatory documents are explicitly required by the standard; supporting documents help implement and evidence those requirements.
Q2: Can our entire documentation system be electronic? Yes — as long as you demonstrate version control, authorized access, and reliable backup.
Q3: How often should documents be reviewed? At least once a year or whenever changes affect scope, structure, or standards.
Streamlining Compliance with a Complete Documentation Toolkit
A strong documentation system is more than a compliance formality — it’s how your certification body demonstrates professionalism, transparency, and control.
When policies, procedures, and records connect seamlessly, your accreditation assessments become predictable and stress-free. The ISO/IEC 17021-1 Documentation Toolkit gives you the structure to manage your CB confidently — from document creation to decision records.
To move from reactive to ready, you can:
Download QSE Academy’s ISO/IEC 17021-1 Documentation Toolkit, or
Book a consultation to customize your toolkit for your specific accreditation scope.
Because in ISO/IEC 17021-1, good documentation isn’t paperwork — it’s proof.
👋 Hi, I’m HAFSA, and for the past 12 years, I’ve been on a journey to make ISO standards less intimidating and more approachable for everyone.
Whether it’s ISO 9001, ISO 22000, or the cosmetics-focused ISO 22716, I’ve spent my career turning complex jargon into clear, actionable steps that businesses can actually use.
I’m not here to call myself an expert—I prefer “enthusiast” because I truly love what I do.
There’s something incredibly rewarding about helping people navigate food safety and quality management systems
in a way that feels simple, practical, and even enjoyable.
When I’m not writing about standards, you’ll probably find me playing Piano 🎹, connecting with people, or diving into my next big project💫.
I’m an engineer specialized in the food and agricultural industry
I have a Master’s in QHSE management and over 12 years of experience as a Quality Manager
I’ve helped more than 15 companies implement ISO 9001, ISO 22000, ISO 22716, GMP, and other standards
My clients include food producers, cosmetics manufacturers, laboratories, and service companies
I believe quality systems should be simple, useful, and efficient.
