Why Clause 8 Defines Long-Term Consistency

When I walk into a certification body for an accreditation assessment, I can tell within minutes how strong their system is—not by looking at certificates, but by asking one question:
“How do you keep things consistent year after year?”

That’s exactly what Clause 8 of ISO/IEC 17065 is about.
It ensures your certification body has a management system that keeps operations stable, impartial, and continuously improving.

Whether you follow Option A or Option B, the goal is the same—control, confidence, and continuity.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What Clause 8 really expects from your management system
• The difference between Option A and Option B (and which suits you better)
• How to make your system practical, not bureaucratic

What Clause 8 Is All About – Management System as the Framework

Clause 8 is the “glue” of ISO/IEC 17065—it holds everything else together.
Your structure (Clause 5), your people (Clause 6), and your processes (Clause 7) all rely on it.

The idea is simple: every activity—from accepting an application to withdrawing a certificate—must happen under a controlled, documented system that you monitor and improve over time.

Pro Tip: Think of Clause 8 as your organization’s memory. It prevents you from repeating mistakes and ensures every improvement becomes standard practice.

Common Mistake: Treating your management system like paperwork created for accreditation. It’s not about documents—it’s about discipline.

Option A vs Option B – Choosing the Right Path

Clause 8 gives certification bodies two ways to meet management-system requirements:

• Option A: Build your own documented system that meets all sub-clauses in 8.2 to 8.8.
• Option B: Use an existing ISO 9001-certified QMS and demonstrate that it covers the 17065 controls.

Neither is better. It’s about what fits your context.

When Option A fits best: smaller or newer CBs that need flexibility and lean documentation.
When Option B fits best: larger CBs already running an ISO 9001 system.

Pro Tip: Accreditation bodies don’t favor one option—they just expect you to prove that your chosen system covers every Clause 8 requirement.

Common Mistake: Assuming ISO 9001 certification alone guarantees compliance. It doesn’t—you still need to show how product-certification processes are controlled.

Option A Explained – Build a Lean but Effective System

If you choose Option A, you’re creating a tailored management system that covers these essentials:

1. Document Control (8.2): Approve, review, and update your procedures and forms.
2. Record Management (8.3): Keep traceable, secure, and retrievable evidence of what you do.
3. Internal Audits (8.4): Check that your system works as intended.
4. Management Review (8.5): Evaluate performance and improvement opportunities.
5. Corrective Actions (8.6): Address root causes of non-conformities.
6. Preventive and Improvement Actions (8.7 & 8.8): Keep getting better through lessons learned.

Pro Tip: Keep it simple. Five solid procedures that people actually follow will outperform a 100-page manual no one reads.

Example: One small CB we worked with documented just six core procedures under Option A. Their accreditation auditor called it “one of the cleanest, most efficient systems reviewed.”

Common Mistake: Copy-pasting ISO 9001 templates that don’t fit your process. It only adds confusion.

Option B Explained – Integrating with ISO 9001

Option B works if your certification body already maintains a certified ISO 9001 QMS.
You can use that as your management-system backbone—as long as it also covers the additional ISO/IEC 17065 controls.

That means linking your ISO 9001 processes (like document control, internal audits, and corrective action) to product-certification activities.

Pro Tip: Create a cross-reference matrix showing where each ISO 9001 clause meets the corresponding 17065 requirement. It saves hours during accreditation.

Example: A CB specializing in electrical-product certification used its ISO 9001 system but added two 17065-specific procedures—one for impartiality and one for certification decisions. That small tweak satisfied every Clause 8 requirement.

Common Mistake: Relying solely on your ISO 9001 certificate as evidence. Accreditation bodies still need to see implementation records tied to certification activities.

Internal Audits and Management Reviews – Continuous Verification

Clause 8.4 and 8.5 form the heart of self-assessment.
Internal audits check whether you’re following your own procedures; management reviews decide what to improve.

Do them well, and you’ll catch problems long before assessors do.

Pro Tip: Audit by process, not by clause. For example, audit your “certification decision process” instead of “Clause 7.6.” It makes findings more meaningful.

Example: One CB switched from annual system-wide audits to quarterly mini-audits focused on core processes. Their non-conformities dropped by 60% within a year.

Common Mistake: Treating management reviews as a formality. They should drive decisions—like adjusting resources, revising policies, or approving improvement actions.

Document and Record Control – Keeping Evidence Organized

Strong document control keeps your system auditable.
Every policy, form, and record should have an owner, a version number, and a clear location.

Pro Tip: Use digital document management with revision logs and access controls—it reduces errors and makes assessments faster.

Example: A CB implemented electronic approval workflows in its SharePoint QMS. Assessors said, “This level of control shows maturity.”

Common Mistake: Having multiple outdated forms floating around. It confuses staff and undermines control.

Continual Improvement – Making Systems Stronger Every Cycle

Clause 8.8 reminds certification bodies that a good system never stands still.
Improvement can come from audits, complaints, feedback, or even client suggestions. The key is to record, evaluate, and act.

Pro Tip: Keep an “Improvement Tracker” separate from corrective actions. It highlights proactive changes—something assessors love to see.

Example: A CB started logging lessons learned from each accreditation audit. Over two cycles, their process non-conformities dropped to zero.

Common Mistake: Treating improvement as optional. Accreditation bodies expect ongoing, documented evidence of learning and adaptation.

FAQs – Clause 8 in Practice

Q1: Is Option B automatically accepted if I’m ISO 9001 certified?
No. You still need to demonstrate that your QMS covers every ISO/IEC 17065 Clause 8 control.

Q2: Can I switch from Option A to Option B later?
Yes. Many CBs start lean with Option A, then transition to Option B once they grow and certify to ISO 9001. Just document the change and ensure traceability.

Q3: How often should management reviews be done?
At least annually. But quarterly reviews often help track improvements and prepare better for accreditation reassessments.

Conclusion – Choose the System That Serves You Best

Clause 8 is about stability. It ensures your certification body doesn’t just operate—it evolves.
Whether you pick Option A or Option B, the message is the same: consistency builds trust.

A well-run management system doesn’t only satisfy assessors—it protects your reputation and supports sustainable growth.

At QSE Academy, we’ve guided hundreds of certification bodies in designing Option A and Option B systems that passed accreditation without a single major finding.

If you’re ready to refine yours:
→ Download our ISO/IEC 17065 Option A vs B Comparison Template
or
→ Book a call to map your management-system framework with our experts.