ISO 17020 Overview

The ISO/IEC 17020 standard is an internationally recognized framework for the competence of inspection bodies, ensuring they perform inspections with impartiality, consistency, and reliability. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the latest version, ISO/IEC 17020:2012, specifies requirements for organizations conducting inspections, such as evaluating products, processes, services, or installations against specified standards or regulations. It applies to a wide range of inspection bodies, including those in construction, manufacturing, food safety, and environmental sectors, covering activities like equipment certification, building inspections, or cargo verification. The standard emphasizes technical competence, independence, and a robust quality management system to ensure credible inspection results trusted by clients, regulators, and stakeholders.

ISO/IEC 17020 is structured around requirements for organizational structure, resources, processes, and management systems. Key elements include ensuring impartiality and independence (clause 4.1), maintaining competent personnel (clause 6.1), and validating inspection methods and procedures (clause 7.1). The standard categorizes inspection bodies into Type A (fully independent), Type B (in-house), and Type C (partially independent) to address varying levels of impartiality. Regular internal audits (clause 8.6) and management reviews (clause 8.5) are mandated to drive continual improvement and compliance. Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17020, granted by bodies like ANAB or UKAS, enhances an inspection body’s credibility, facilitates regulatory compliance, and supports global acceptance of inspection outcomes.