“Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems — Part 1: Requirements.”

This standard ensures that certification bodies (CBs) operate in a competent, consistent, and impartial manner. It is used as the accreditation standard for organizations that certify other companies’ management systems (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, etc.).

The goal is to ensure trust and confidence in the issued certifications by maintaining a high level of integrity, transparency, and technical competence.

Requirements for ISO 17021 Accreditation

To be accredited under ISO 17021, a certification body must meet the following key requirements:

Impartiality

  • Demonstrate independence in audit and certification decisions.
  • Identify and manage any potential conflicts of interest.

Competence

  • Employ qualified auditors and technical experts.
  • Maintain competence through ongoing training and evaluations.

Audit Process

  • Conduct audits using a consistent, risk-based approach.
  • Follow established procedures for planning, conducting, and reporting audits.

Management System

  • Maintain a documented management system covering procedures, records, and continual improvement.

Confidentiality

  • Ensure protection of clients’ information and audit data.

Certification Decision

  • The decision to grant certification must be made independently from the audit team.
  • Follow strict procedures for granting, maintaining, suspending, or withdrawing certification.

Transparency

  • Make public information available about the certification process, scope, and status of certified clients.

DAS Certification (Private) Limited is an accredited certification body under ISO/IEC 17021. DAS Certification provides third-party certification for various management system standards such as:

  • ISO 9001 (Quality Management)
  • ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
  • ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety)
  • ISO 22000 (Food Safety)
  • ISO 27001 (Information Security), and more.

DAS Certification is accredited by internationally recognized accreditation bodies, ensuring global recognition of its issued certificates.

Business Benefits of Using an ISO 17021 Accredited Certification Body

Using an accredited certification body like DAS Certification provides several significant advantages:

✅ Credibility and Trust

  • Accredited certification proves compliance with international standards, increasing customer confidence and stakeholder trust.

✅ Global Recognition

  • Certificates from an ISO 17021 accredited CB are recognized and respected worldwide, improving access to international markets.

✅ Compliance with Regulatory and Tender Requirements

  • Many regulatory authorities and buyers require certifications from accredited bodies only.

✅ Risk Reduction

  • Accredited audits follow structured, impartial, and competent processes, minimizing the risk of business disruption or non-compliance.

✅ Improved Operational Efficiency

  • Accredited CBs follow strict audit protocols, often leading to the identification of opportunities for performance improvement.

✅ Enhanced Reputation

  • Using a well-known accredited body enhances your brand reputation and shows commitment to best practices.

✅ Supply Chain Assurance

  • Certification from an accredited CB strengthens your supply chain credentials and builds customer assurance.

ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 is the international standard that specifies the requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems. It ensures that certification bodies operate competently, consistently, and impartially.

This standard is used by Certification Bodies (CBs) that audit and certify organizations to various management system standards such as:

  • ISO 9001 (Quality Management)
  • ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
  • ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety)
  • ISO 27001 (Information Security)
  • ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management) and others.

Purpose of ISO 17021 Accreditation

Accreditation under ISO/IEC 17021 is granted to certification bodies to confirm that they:

  • Operate an independent and impartial audit process
  • Employ competent auditors
  • Follow internationally accepted auditing practices
  • Deliver consistent and credible certification outcomes

Key Components of ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015

  • Impartiality and Independence
  • CBs must be impartial and manage conflicts of interest effectively.
  • Competence of Personnel
  • Auditors, technical experts, and decision-makers must be qualified and competent.
  • Management System Requirements
  • CBs must maintain a documented management system for quality and continual improvement.
  • Audit and Certification Process
  • Includes application review, audit planning, on-site audit, audit reporting, certification decision, and surveillance.

Confidentiality

  • All client information must be protected and used appropriately.
  • Complaints and Appeals
  • Procedures must exist to handle complaints from clients or stakeholders.
  • Use of Certification Marks
  • CBs must control the correct use of certification logos and marks.

Who Provides ISO/IEC 17021 Accreditation?

Accreditation is granted by National Accreditation Bodies (ABs) that are members of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). Examples include:

  • PNAC (Pakistan)
  • UKAS (United Kingdom)
  • ANAB (USA)
  • DAkkS (Germany)
  • JAS-ANZ (Australia/New Zealand)

These bodies are signatories to the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA), meaning certifications issued by accredited CBs are recognized globally.