ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Accreditation Advisory Services Worldwide.
ISO/IEC 17020 conformity assessment establishes requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection. These have been developed to build confidence in the inspection bodies. Accreditation to an inspection bodies is a procedure through which an authoritative body provides formal recognition of technical competence for specific inspection. This is based on third-party assessment defined as per ISO/IEC 17020:2012 standard.
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 has been drafted in accordance with the rules established in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2. ISO 17020:2012 accreditation is managed by IAF MRA (International Accreditation Forum Multilateral Recognition Arrangement). ). IAF is primary engaged in the development and updating of guidelines related with accreditation activities. These international arrangements provide acceptance of inspection results amongst countries which MRA partners represent. Upon accreditation as per ISO 17020 standard of inspection bodies by such recognized body, the inspection report of inspection bodies is eligible for global recognition and acceptance. This standard was initially published in year 1998 and was later revised in 2012. Currently the 2012 version is in implementation. The ISO17020:2012 standard has categorized inspection bodies into three major categories which are as under:
- Type – A Inspection body, means an independent inspection body, which is only engaged in inspection activities (independent of the parties involved),
- Type – B Inspection body, means its inspection services shall only be supplied to the organization of which the inspection body forms a part, and
- Type – C Inspection body, means the inspection body shall provide safeguards within the organization to ensure adequate segregation of responsibilities and accountabilities between inspection and other activities.
ISO/IEC 17020 Accreditation Services
The ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Accreditation Certificate is issued by accreditation body (Like UKAS in UK, ANSI in USA and NABCB in India,), which are authorized by IAF MRA to provide accreditation under the ISO/IEC 17020:2012. After successful completion of assessment, the ISO 17020 accreditation certificate is issued for a period of two years. After one year surveillance audits are conducted by the Accreditation body after one year. Upon completion of two-year cycle, a renewal audit is conducted without any periodic surveillance assessment at every two years.
An ILAC / APLAC approved accreditation body grants ISO/IEC 17020:2012 accreditation, to the inspection bodies. ISO/IEC 17020:2012 is an accreditation and not certification like ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and other system certification.
Process in ISO/IEC 17020 Accreditation Advisory Services
Wood Certification Private Limited has a vast experience in ISO 17020 Accreditation Advisory Services for the implementation and certification of ISO/IEC 17020:2012 for all types of inspection bodies, such as container inspection bodies, fire door inspection bodies, grocery inspection bodies etc.
Wood Certification Private Limited, an ISO 17020 Accreditation Advisory Services in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Cochin, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jakarta, Malaysia, Indonesia, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Egypt, Lebanon, Nepal, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia etc. develops the system for its customers in the following manners:
- Thorough micro–level survey across all inspection parameter of the certifying bodies which cascades into a detailed gap analysis report,
- Preparation of applicable documents as required for ISO/IEC 17020:2012, based on detailed study of all activities of the inspection bodies, such as;
- ISO 17020 Quality Manual,
- Quality Procedures for ISO/IEC 17020:2012 accreditation (mandatory procedures required by the standard),
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for inspection of various activities, as well as operation and calibration of identified equipments used in the inspection,
- Formats to establish the objective evidence of implementation and to ensure control over all the inspection parameter,
- Preparation of Quality Assurance Plan for sustaining and assuring quality of inspection services provided to its customer,
- Training for ISO 17020 across all levels of employees within the inspection bodies,
- Assistance in effective implementation of system through periodic site visit till accreditation,
- Conducting internal audit for ISO 17020 system to gauge preparation and readiness for the accreditation,
- Assistance in conducting management review meeting in the presence of Top Management for suitable guidance of inspection body for effective implementation of all the issues related to inspection,
- Witnessing/ demonstration of inspection activities to build confidence among the employees, etc.
Technical Requirements of ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Accreditation Standard
Inspection bodies are required to identify specific technical requirements of ISO/IEC 17020:2012 during the process of implementation:
- Person nominated as Management Representative for establishing, implementation and monitoring of effective implementation of the management system's requirements,
- Person nominated as Technical Manager for establishing, implementation and monitoring of effective implementation of the technical requirements,
- Parameters of Inspection, its location of performance, field of inspection, range and type of inspection and reference of the proven inspection methods,
- Statistical analysis of re–inspection results,
- Comparison with other accredited inspection body to validate the level of competence against other ISO/IEC 17020:2012 accredited inspection body, derived on the basis of statistical analysis
Advantages of ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Accreditation System
- Enhances efficiency, productivity and effectiveness in the overall Inspection bodies operation,
- Increases level of motivation, co–operation, workmanship and quality awareness including competence,
- Enhances confidence in inspection data and of personnel performing work. Greater control of processes and activities throughout inspection bodies. Savings in terms of time and money due to reduction or elimination of the need for re–inspection / re–work etc.,
- Provides insights into analysis of data and record keeping.
- Provide guidelines and better control for maintenance of equipment, preservation of inspection records, etc.
- Establish confidence of management and customers as regards to results as well as reports and increase customers' trust as well as market share.
- Better image of inspection bodies as a Quality inspection bodies in global market.
- Worldwide recognition and credibility.
- An ISO 17020:2012 accredited inspection body has a definite edge over competitors.
For certification or more information kindly contact us at info@woodcert.com
