What is ISO-IEC 17021-3:2017?

The ISO-IEC 17021-3:2017 is a technical standard that specifies the requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems. This standard belongs to the ISO/IEC 17000 series, which sets the criteria for accreditation bodies to assess the competence of certification bodies.

Scope and Purpose

The scope of ISO-IEC 17021-3:2017 covers the auditing and certification of management systems for specific sectors, such as quality management systems (ISO 9001), environmental management systems (ISO 14001), and information security management systems (ISO 27001).

The purpose of this standard is to ensure that certification bodies demonstrate impartiality, competence, and consistency in their auditing and certification activities. It provides guidance on the application of ISO/IEC 17021-1, which is the general criteria for certification bodies.

Main Requirements

The main requirements of ISO-IEC 17021-3:2017 include:

Competence of personnel: Certification body staff should possess the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct effective audits and make sound certification decisions.

Confidentiality: The certification body must maintain confidentiality of client information obtained during the certification process, while still conforming to legal and regulatory requirements.

Impartiality: The certification body should be independent and free from any conflicts of interest that could affect the objectivity of its certification activities.

Audit process: The standard outlines the steps involved in conducting audits, including planning, conducting the audit, and reporting the audit findings.

Handling of complaints and disputes: Certification bodies are required to have a documented procedure for handling complaints and disputes related to their certification activities.

Benefits and Significance

ISO-IEC 17021-3:2017 plays a crucial role in ensuring the credibility and reliability of management system certifications. By complying with this standard, certification bodies can demonstrate their competence, impartiality, and consistency in certifying organizations' management systems. This enhances stakeholder confidence, improves market access for certified organizations, and facilitates international trade.