Iso 17020 Certification Conformity Assessment - Comparison Of Iso 17020 And Iso 17025 Standards

By Author: Sahin Alam
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Understanding ISO 17020 Standard

ISO 17020 Certification refers to a conformity assessment to ensure that the inspection bodies that assess the competence and quality of the product and service, maintain regulatory requirements. ISO 17020 standard specifies organizations that work with inspection activities like surveys, risk assessment, etc, and ensures factors like consistency, efficiency, impartiality, and technical competence of these bodies.

ISO 17020 Certification assesses the bodies performing inspection to promote efficiency. The inspection bodies are classified into three types - Type A, Type B, and Type C. These categories address different roles of the bodies depending on the inspection target:

Type A: inspection bodies are independent bodies performing activities without interference from third parties.

Type B: inspection bodies are an existing part of organizations which is only used by the parent company for performing the required inspections.

Type C: inspection bodies ...
... can perform inspection activities for their parent organization or for other parties as well as maintaining impartiality.

ISO 17020 in Dubai, UAE

The first edition of the 17020 standard was developed by ISO(International Organization for Standardization) and IEC(International Electromechanical Commission). ISO 17020 Certification in UAE plays an important role for the organizations in Dubai, UAE that deal with performing inspection activities. The global standard includes a range of activities by inspection bodies such as:

The assessment of installation, production, designs, materials, work procedures, etc.

The services and product conformity with the following essential requirements.

The authenticity and proficiency of reports of the activities performed in the above-mentioned steps to users.

The ISO 17020 Conformity Assessment System

Conformity Assessment System is responsible for assessing any activity that ensures that the product or service meets the requirements of the standard or specification. The requirements may include trustability, effectiveness, safety, quality, environment-friendliness, etc.

The IEC/ISO 17020 standard provides a framework that includes a conformity assessment system as a major part of highlighting the general principles of the international standard for inspection bodies. The ISO 17020 Conformity Assessment System helps organizations promote-

The resilience of structure and performance to be easily trusted by government and investors.
Management of potential risk factors and providing required safety guidance.
Commitment to safety and quality for gaining rust and liability of the buyers.

Differences Between ISO 17020 and ISO 17025 Standards

Even though ISO 17020 and ISO 17025 are relevant standards to ensure the competence of testing and inspection bodies, they have noticeable differences in objectives and purposes.

ISO 17020 Certification standard specifically deals with the operations of multiple types of inspection bodies. ISO 17020 accreditation can be obtained by organizations that handle inspection services of product materials, installations, etc.
On the other hand, the ISO 17025 standard engages laboratories to ensure that they are efficiently and technically competent to provide authentic results. It is applicable to all organizations that service laboratory activities.

The second and the most important difference between ISO 17020 and ISO 17025 layers in the application of these standards. ISO 17020 is structured for inspection bodies to assess the production, manufacturing, designing, installation, and service performance to verify compliance with the standard
ISO 17025 Certification, however, applies to test and calibration laboratories with more focus on testing activities like chemical analysis, physical property testing, taking measurements, etc.

In summary, both ISO standards are designed to promote competence in different types of activities. ISO 17020 and ISO 17025 standards are advantageous for proving commitment towards quality and safety in industries that include testing and inspection activities. Sometimes both ISO standards can accredited by organizations if they provide both testing and inspection activities.

ISO 17020 Implementation Process

Implementing ISO 17020 involves several key steps, including:

Gap Analysis: Inspection bodies assess their current practices against the requirements of ISO 17020 to identify areas for improvement and compliance gaps.

Documentation: Inspection bodies develop documented procedures, policies, and quality management systems to align with ISO 17020 requirements.

Training and Competence Development: Personnel undergo training and competency assessments to ensure they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform inspections effectively.

Internal Auditing: Inspection bodies conduct internal audits to evaluate the effectiveness of their quality management systems and identify opportunities for improvement.

External Certification: Upon successful implementation and compliance with ISO 17020 requirements, inspection bodies may undergo external certification audits conducted by accredited certification bodies.

Conclusion

ISO 17020 plays a pivotal role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and integrity of inspection activities across various industries and sectors. By establishing criteria for competence, impartiality, and consistency, this standard fosters trust, confidence, and credibility in the inspection process. As inspection bodies worldwide embrace ISO 17020 and its principles, they contribute to a safer, more reliable, and more transparent global marketplace.