Why These ISO/IEC 17024 Myths Still Confuse Organizations
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard people say, “ISO/IEC 17024 is only for big organizations,” or “We already have ISO 9001, so we’re covered.”
These are common—and costly—misconceptions. Over the years, I’ve guided certification bodies, training centers, and professional boards through ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation. Most started out believing one or more of these myths, and almost all were surprised at how achievable accreditation actually was once they understood the facts.
In the next few minutes, we’ll clear up the biggest myths that stop organizations from pursuing ISO/IEC 17024. By the end, you’ll know exactly what’s true, what’s not, and why this standard is far more flexible and valuable than most realize.
Myth #1 – “ISO/IEC 17024 Is Only for Large International Bodies”
Here’s the truth: ISO/IEC 17024 is for any organization that certifies people—no matter the size.
You don’t need hundreds of staff or a global presence. I’ve seen small, five-person teams run fully accredited certification programs because they followed the requirements properly: define competence, maintain impartiality, and document decisions.
Example: A regional safety-officer certification body in Malaysia achieved ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation with a lean team and minimal resources. They simply structured their process around competence verification and impartiality controls.
Pro Tip: Accreditation bodies don’t evaluate your size—they evaluate your system’s effectiveness. Clear, well-documented processes beat a big office any day.
Myth #2 – “ISO/IEC 17024 Is Just Another Form of ISO 9001”
This one trips up a lot of management teams. ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17024 share some principles—like continual improvement—but their goals are different.
ISO 9001 ensures your organization’s management system is consistent.
ISO/IEC 17024 ensures your certification of people is competent, impartial, and valid.
Having ISO 9001 can definitely help—it gives you structure—but it doesn’t replace ISO/IEC 17024’s requirements for competence assessment, examiner qualifications, and impartial decision-making.
Pro Tip: If you already run ISO 9001, use it as your foundation. Then add 17024-specific elements: impartiality committees, competence criteria, and documented certification schemes.
Common Mistake: Relying on ISO 9001 procedures to justify personnel-certification decisions. Accreditation bodies see that gap immediately.
Myth #3 – “Accreditation Is Too Expensive and Complicated”
It’s easy to assume accreditation costs a fortune or takes years. In reality, the cost of not being accredited—missed contracts, weak recognition, and low client confidence—is far higher.
Most organizations achieve ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation in under a year with good planning. It’s about preparation, not perfection.
Example: One client of ours, a mid-size training institute, achieved accreditation in 8 months. They started with one pilot scheme—certifying environmental auditors—and expanded once accredited.
Pro Tip: Start small. Accredit one program first, gain experience, then scale. It’s faster, leaner, and cost-effective.
Myth #4 – “Training Providers Can’t Be Impartial”
I hear this one all the time. Some believe that if you train and certify people, you can’t possibly be impartial. That’s not true. ISO/IEC 17024 doesn’t forbid training—it just requires you to separate functions.
You can train candidates and still run a fair certification process as long as:
Trainers don’t decide who gets certified.
Certification decisions are made by an independent committee.
Conflicts of interest are identified and managed.
Example: A technical institute we worked with offered both auditor courses and certification. They implemented an impartiality committee, separated their training and certification teams, and got accredited with zero findings.
Pro Tip: Impartiality isn’t about structure—it’s about decision independence. As long as certification outcomes are based solely on competence evidence, you’re compliant.
Myth #5 – “ISO/IEC 17024 Certification Is Only for Technical Professions”
Not at all. The standard applies to any profession where competence matters.
Whether it’s auditors, translators, coaches, or sustainability consultants—if you can define what competence looks like and assess it objectively, ISO/IEC 17024 fits.
Example: A European language-certification body used ISO/IEC 17024 to prove the validity of their language-proficiency exams and examiner impartiality.
Pro Tip: Focus on defining competence in measurable terms: knowledge, skills, and behaviors. Once you can evaluate those fairly, you can certify under ISO/IEC 17024—technical or not.
Myth #6 – “Once Accredited, We’re Done”
Accreditation isn’t a finish line—it’s a cycle of continuous improvement.
ISO/IEC 17024 requires surveillance audits, periodic recertification, and ongoing validation of your certification scheme. It keeps your program credible and current as industry practices evolve.
Example: A safety-training organization updates its certification exams every two years to include new workplace regulations. That’s exactly what accreditation bodies want to see—evidence that you stay relevant.
Pro Tip: Treat accreditation as a partnership with your accreditation body, not a one-time approval. Continuous updates keep your certificate trustworthy and your organization audit-ready.
Quick Recap – Truths Behind the Myths
Myth
Reality
Only for large bodies
Works for any size certification body
Same as ISO 9001
Focuses on competence, not just quality
Too expensive
Scalable and manageable with planning
Training = conflict
Manageable with impartiality procedures
Only technical
Applies to any skill-based profession
One-time effort
Requires continuous improvement
FAQs – Fast Answers to Common Questions
Q1: Do we need separate staff for training and certification? Not necessarily—just separate roles and responsibilities. Trainers can’t make certification decisions, but they can exist under the same organization.
Q2: How long does accreditation take? Typically between 6 and 12 months, depending on how ready your documentation and procedures are.
Q3: Is ISO/IEC 17024 mandatory? Not legally in most sectors, but it’s quickly becoming the expected standard for credible personnel-certification programs worldwide.
The Real Truth About ISO/IEC 17024
Most misconceptions about ISO/IEC 17024 come from misunderstanding, not difficulty. Once you understand what the standard really requires, it’s far more practical than people think.
It’s not about bureaucracy—it’s about building trust in every certificate you issue. Whether you’re a small certification body or a large professional board, ISO/IEC 17024 helps you prove competence, impartiality, and credibility in a way that the market and regulators respect.
At QSE Academy, we’ve helped organizations across multiple industries achieve ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation faster and with less stress using our step-by-step documentation toolkit.
If you’re ready to uncover what’s true and what’s just myth, start your journey with our ISO/IEC 17024 Documentation Toolkit or schedule a quick consultation with our accreditation experts today.
Melissa Lavaro is a seasoned ISO consultant and an enthusiastic advocate for quality management standards. With a rich experience in conducting audits and providing consultancy services, Melissa specializes in helping organizations implement and adapt to ISO standards. Her passion for quality management is evident in her hands-on approach and deep understanding of the regulatory frameworks. Melissa’s expertise and energetic commitment make her a sought-after consultant, dedicated to elevating organizational compliance and performance through practical, insightful guidance.
