Impartiality

A local CAB belongs to a multinational parent CAB. The official website of the local CAB has its subsidiary accredited type A inspection body which inspects the playground according to a national standard. The same website also publishes an advertisement for a performance mark of playground equipment by the same national standard certified by the parent CAB. Furthermore, the website also promotes one playground equipment producer whose playground equipment certified as the performance marker of the parent company. Does this pose an independence or impartiality risk to the type A inspection body according to ISO/IEC 17020?

STANDARD: ISO/IEC 17020  ·  CLAUSE:  4.1.3 ·  TOPIC: Impartiality

Answer:

It appears that that the independence type A could well be challenged due to the common ownership although there could be evidence that they have no influence on the inspection activities.   With regards to impartiality there is clearly a risk meaning the inspection body would need to provide a very well detailed risk analysis of organisation and how the risks related to common ownership and other activities related to the playground are managed, e.g. how can they demonstrate that the certification activities and the detailing of a certain playground equipment provider that they certify are not influencing the inspection process.

In clause 4.1.3 of the standard reference is made to threats to impartiality arising from the inspection body’s activities. Can you give examples of activities which may constitute a threat to the inspection body’s impartiality?

STANDARD: ISO/IEC 17020  ·  CLAUSE: Clause 4.1.3  ·  TOPIC: Impartiality

Answer:

Examples of activities of the inspection body that can influence its impartiality include: – Making commitments to complete unrealistic inspection volumes in a limited amount of time. – Marketing, branding or sales activities relating to the items inspected, as explained in a general sense in ILAC P15. – Customised training activities related to fulfilment of scheme requirements.

In clause 4.1.3 of the standard reference is made to threats to impartiality arising from the inspection body’s relationships. Can you give examples of relationships which may constitute a threat to the inspection body’s impartiality?

STANDARD: ISO/IEC 17020  ·  CLAUSE: Clause 4.1.3  ·  TOPIC: Impartiality

Answer:

Examples of relationships that could constitute a threat to the impartiality of the inspection body include: – Relationship with a parent organisation – Relationships with departments within the same organisation – Relationships with related companies or organisations – Relationships with regulators – Relationships with clients – Relationships of personnel – Relationships with the organisations designing, manufacturing, supplying, installing, purchasing, owning, using or maintaining the items inspected