
ISO 17021 Standard specifies general principles and requirements for the competence, consistency and impartiality of the audit and certification of management systems of all types
ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 contains principles and requirements for the competence, consistency and impartiality of bodies providing audit and certification of all types of management systems (e.g. quality management systems, environmental management systems among others).
Certification bodies operating to ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 do not need to offer all types of management system certification. This standard is intended for the use by certification bodies and accreditation bodies. Certification of management systems is a third-party conformity assessment activity and bodies performing this activity are therefore third-party conformity assessment bodies.
- conforms to specified requirements;
- is capable of consistently achieving its stated policy and objectives;
- is effectively implemented.
The advantages of using an accredited management systems certification body are:-