FAQ26

Posted on by IAF CMC

Can an inspection body simultaneously be assigned more than one type of independence? E.g. can an inspection body provide lift inspection services as type C and indoor air inspection services as type A?

STANDARD: ISO/IEC 17020  ·  CLAUSE: 4.1.6  ·  TOPIC: Assigning independence categories 

Answer:

Yes. Clause 4.1.6 of ISO/IEC 17020 is formulated as “An inspection body providing … inspections shall meet the type … requirements of clause …”. The standard does not include any requirement that would inhibit an inspection body from offering different types of services at different independence levels. However, the way clause 7.9.5b) in ISO/IEC 17011 is formulated would seem to require the accreditation body to specify only one independence level for each inspection scheme listed in the inspection body’s scope of accreditation. Consequently, it is not possible for an inspection body to offer different independence levels to different customers for the same inspection scheme.

FAQ25

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Inspection body policies are formulated in different ways, sometimes generally and sometimes by specifically explaining how the IBs deals with particular situations or requirements. Are the policies referred to in the standard meant to be general ones (e.g. our policy is to provide our clients with impartial services) or are they meant to be detailed policies describing how the IB deals with the requirements of the standard (e.g. policies for dealing with complaints, maintenance of equipment, calibration of equipment or subcontracting)?

STANDARD: ISO/IEC 17020  ·  CLAUSE: 8.2.1  ·  TOPIC: Specifying policies 

Answer:

The term “policy” is used with the definition given in ISO 9000; “intentions and direction of an organisation as expressed by its top management”. The policies are intended to be closely linked to the formulated objectives. The objectives are supposed to describe the desired practical achievements at a particular date, and to be related to the more generally described policies.

FAQ24

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Inspection bodies sometimes rely more on training and experience of the inspector than on education. Especially for scopes of limited complexity. Can this be acceptable as long as the inspection body supports such persons with relevant training, monitoring, on site-observation and requires a specified level of experience? Can specified education requirements be substituted by e.g. additional training in individual cases?

STANDARD: ISO/IEC 17020  ·  CLAUSE: 6.1.1  ·  TOPIC: Defining competence requirements

Answer:

It is up to the inspection body to define the competence requirements. These shall include education requirements, but these could be very basic. Once defined the requirements apply until revised, e.g. as a consequence of considerations made at the management review. Note that as competence is a purpose of the standard, there are supposed to be objectives related to competence, and these objectives are to be reviewed as part of the managements review. If the available competence is not enough to guarantee reliable results, inspection services should not be offered.

FAQ23

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It sometimes happens that an inspection body claims that it is not responsible for some of the results included in an inspection report as it derives from a subcontracted analysis (testing) which is not covered by the accredited scope. Does the inspection body have the right to include a disclaimer saying that it is not responsible for the result of this testing/analysis? Does it matter whether the activity is covered by the accredited scope or whether it is an inspection activity or not?

STANDARD: ISO/IEC 17020  ·  CLAUSE: 6.3.3  ·  TOPIC: Taking responsibility for determination of conformity

Answer:

The inspection body has to take responsibility for the whole chain, including any test results or inspection activities performed by subcontractors, if it wants to refer to its accredited status. However, the assessment of the accreditation body is limited to operations of the inspection body that are covered by the scope of accreditation. As long as the inspection body does not refer to its accredited status for work outside its scope of accreditation, these activities are of no concern to the accreditation body. If an inspection activity is reported under accreditation and it includes testing activities, the guidance provided in ILAC P15, 7.4.2a, and the rules in ILAC P8, chapters 8 and 9, apply. This is to say that if the outcome of the inspection is based on unaccredited results, then the report must include a disclaimer that the outcome of the inspection is not covered by the accreditation.

FAQ22

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Some inspection bodies define their objectives to be those of the mother company, without defining in any detail how they apply to inspection activities. Are such objectives proper for the fulfillment of the requirements of the standard?

STANDARD: ISO/IEC 17020  ·  CLAUSE: 8.2.1  ·  TOPIC: Specifying objectives  · 

Answer:

When the standard says “…objectives for fulfillment of this International Standard” it really means objectives for fulfillment of the purpose of this International Standard. This is more explicitly explained in the current (June 2017) DIS (Draft International Standard) versions of ISO/IEC 17011 and ISO/IEC 17025, but the more careful wording of these documents is not intended to constitute a change. The purpose of ISO/IEC 17020 as defined in the scope is “competence … impartiality and consistency of … inspection activities”. Thus, the objectives are supposed to be defined with this purpose in mind. The intention is not to make inspection bodies define as objectives the intention to fulfill standard requirements at a later date. These requirements are intended to be fulfilled continuously. Likewise, the standard does in no way relate to turnover of or profit from inspection activities, why this is not the kind of objectives expected.

FAQ21

Posted on by IAF CMC

What is the meaning of the word “use” A.1 b, c and d and in the notes in Annex A? An inspection body and its personnel are obliged not to be engaged in any activity that constitutes a conflict/threat to its independence of judgment. At the same time the inspection body is allowed to purchase, own and use the inspected items for the performance of inspection activities. Likewise, the inspection body personnel may use such items for personal purposes. Then what type of “use” is forbidden?

STANDARD: ISO/IEC 17020  ·  CLAUSE: 4.1.6  ·  TOPIC: Maintaining independence  · 

Answer:

Note 2 to bullet c) in A.1 points out that the limitation to use the items inspected does not preclude use that is necessary for the operations of another part of the same legal entity or for personal purposes of the personnel. Such cases may be when an inspection body uses lap top computers (specific brand and model) for their inspection work even though they might have performed an inspection on the same brand and model of lap top computer. Another example would be that personnel should still be able to take the elevator to the 4th floor, even if it has been engaged in the inspection of the same brand and model of elevator. However, the inspected item cannot be an integral part of the business of the inspection body or the company of which it is a part. E.g. an inspection body of a power company cannot inspect turbines of the same brand and model as it uses in its own operations.

FAQ20

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Can an inspection body report statements of conformity or inspection results pictorially, e.g. by means of different types of smileys?

STANDARD: ISO/IEC 17020  ·  CLAUSE: 7.4.2  ·  TOPIC: Reporting inspection results  · 

Answer:

Yes, as long as the meaning is clear to the client and as long as the other information required in clause 7.4.2 is either included in the report or the inspection body is able to provide this information on request.

FAQ19

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Does an inspection body that only provides its inspection services to clients within the same legal entity need to implement a contract or work order control system?

STANDARD: ISO/IEC 17020  ·  CLAUSE: 7.1.5  ·  TOPIC: Implementing contract or work order control system  

Answer:

Yes. The requirements related to the work order control system could be seen as contributing to the purpose to ensure consistency of inspection body services. Thus, they apply to all inspection bodies.

FAQ18

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How can a very small inspection body, e.g. a one-man inspection body, fulfil the requirement for performing internal audits without auditing their own work?

STANDARD: ISO/IEC 17020  ·  CLAUSE: 8.6.5  ·  TOPIC: Performing internal audits  

Answer:

ILAC P15 notes that competent external personnel may perform internal audits.

FAQ17

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How can a very small inspection body, e.g. a one-man inspection body, fulfil the requirement for performing management reviews?

STANDARD: ISO/IEC 17020  ·  CLAUSE: 8.5.1  ·  TOPIC: Performing management reviews

Answer:

The standard does not require management reviews to be conducted by more than one person.