INAB Transition to ISO/IEC 17024:2012

This document applies to certification bodies that are currently accredited by INAB, and those intending to apply for accreditation.

On 1st July 2012 the standard ISO/IEC 17024: 2012, Conformity assessment — General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons, was published by ISO.  This standard cancels and replaces ISO/IEC 17024: 2003, which was technically revised.

The IAF website, www.iaf.nu, should be consulted for publication of new or revised guidance documents; further guidance documents related to this standard may be published in the future.

In accordance with an International Accreditation Forum (IAF) decision, implementation of ISO/IEC 17024:2012 will be subject to a 3 year transition period.  Therefore, from 1st July 2015, accreditation to ISO/IEC 17024:2003 will no longer be available and accreditation certificates to ISO 17024: 2003 will no longer be valid.

In order to facilitate a smooth transfer to the new standard, INAB has decided upon the following transition programme:

·         INAB requests accredited certification bodies to submit a transition action plan to their accreditation officer. The plan should be sent to INAB before 1st July 2013.

As a minimum the plan shall include:

1.    All specific actions to be taken to implement the changes,

2.    The timeframe for completion of such actions,

3.    The persons responsible for the actions,

4.    Process in place to monitor progress and completion of the actions.

·         The action plan will need to demonstrate an analysis of the new standard and effective implementation such that the certification body confirms it is operating to ISO/IEC 17024:2012 by 1st January 2014.

·         All INAB surveillance/reassessment visits from 1st January 2014 will be carried out to ISO/IEC 17024:2012.

·         From 1st January 2013 all new applicants will be assessed against ISO/IEC 17024:2012.

·         The 2013/2014 schedule of headquarters visits will be altered, if necessary, to ensure that all certification bodies are in compliance by 1st July 2015.  Allowing for six months in advance of the final deadline, the last opportunity to conduct an assessment against the new requirements will be in the headquarters visit in 2014.

The accreditation certificate and schedule of accreditation will be amended to reflect accreditation against ISO/IEC 17024:2012 after the surveillance/re-assessment against the new standard has been successfully completed and a decision for renewal of accreditation has been granted. The accreditation number will remain the same. The date on the certificate will be the date of the decision to grant accreditation against the requirements of the new standard.                                                                                                        

Please note that it is the responsibility of the certification body to familiarise itself with the new standard and implement the changes necessary to comply with ISO/IEC 17024:2012.

After 1st January 2014, at the next scheduled visit, INAB will carry out surveillance/re-assessment to the new standard, ISO/IEC 17024: 2012, which will include an assessment of the changes in the documented management system and the implementation of the action plan. As part of this assessment the certification body will be required to have performed an internal audit to assess the effectiveness of the changes and its implementation in compliance with ISO/IEC 17024:2012.  

During the surveillance/re-assessment visit, INAB will review records concerning the implementation of the new standard.  As a minimum these records shall include:

·         Analysis of impact on system and action plan;

·         Internal audit of changes with respect to ISO/IEC 17024:2012

·         Communication of changes in the system to interested parties, as appropriate;

·         Identification of risks to independence and impartiality on an on-going basis, as appropriate

·         Personnel records reflecting “competence’ rather than only meeting qualification requirements, as appropriate;

Organisations may obtain a copy of this standard from:

ILI, 42-44 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4.

Tel: (01) 8576730, Fax:  (01) 8576729

www.standards.ie

INAB looks forward to implementing the new standard and working with certification bodies to ensure a smooth transition to ISO/IEC 17024:2012.

Any queries should be directed to your accreditation officer.

INAB

5th February 2012