ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity assessment — Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 is the international standard for conformity assessment and it specifies the requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection. This article will provide an overview of ISO/IEC 17020:2012, as well as highlight some of the most important points that apply to conformity assessment bodies operating in the food and beverage industry.
What is ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity assessment?
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity assessment is a global standard for the management of risk associated with the conformity of products, services and systems. It helps organizations achieve conformity assessment objectives by establishing requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection.
It specifies the minimum requirements for the competence of individuals and bodies performing conformity assessment. Including assurance bodies, product certification bodies, system certification bodies, and operators of registered inspection activity.
Organizations need to comply with this standard in order to improve their capability to manage risk and ensure quality through conformity assessment. This will help them to achieve their strategic objectives, such as reducing costs, improving customer satisfaction. Also, protecting intellectual property.
What are the requirements of this standard?
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity assessment is a management system for organizations that require conformity assessment of their products and services. The requirements of this standard are intended to provide the bodies performing inspection with the necessary tools and principles to carry out their work effectively.
This standard specifies the overall framework, including the goals, objectives, and requirements, as well as the structure and content of conformity assessment bodies. It also provides guidance on how to develop and implement a conformity assessment program.
It establishes four basic principles that are essential for the effective performance of any conformity assessment process. These principles are quality assurance, systematic approach, proper identification of risks, and management of resources.
So, Organizations that require conformity assessment should ensure that their personnel are familiar with the provisions of this standard. They should also make sure that all relevant documentation is current and accurate.
What are the benefits of this standard?
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity assessment is a set of internationally accepted standards for the management of inspection activities. It provides guidance for bodies performing inspection. Such as accreditation bodies and certification organisations, and their owners and operators.
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 addresses the following key topics:
Scope
Structure
Processes
Documentation
Quality assurance
The benefits include the following:
Increased assurance of conformity with requirements
Improved efficiency and effectiveness of inspection activities
Reduced costs through reduced waste and improved quality control
Eligibility criteria for ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity assessment
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity assessment is a process of systematically verifying that a product, system or service meets the requirements of an established standard. It is aimed at ensuring that products, services and systems are consistently produced to meet requirements, thereby increasing their reliability and quality.
To be eligible for ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity assessment, an organization must have the necessary resources and competence to perform conformity assessment activities. It must also have a system in place to assess the conformity of its products and services.
To be accredited to this standard, an organization must meet specific eligibility criteria. These include having a management system that is competent in conformity assessment and has the resources necessary to carry out conformity assessment activities.
Therefore, Organizations must also comply with several requirements when applying for accreditation to this standard. These include establishing conformity assessment processes, documenting conformity assessment activities, providing reports on conformity assessments, and taking appropriate corrective actions when required.
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Read About : ISO 17202:2002
