Accredited under ISO/IEC 17020 as 3rd Party Inspection Body
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 defines competence, impartiality and consistency requirements for organisations performing inspection activities.
ISO/IEC 17020:2012
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 is an international standard specifying requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of bodies performing inspection activities.
The standard is applicable to Type A, Type B and Type C inspection bodies. A Type A inspection body operates independently from the parties involved in the items or activities being inspected.
Key Objectives
- Provide confidence in inspection results.
- Ensure competent and impartial inspection processes.
- Promote consistent inspection practices.
- Support international acceptance of inspection reports.
Requirements for ISO/IEC 17020 Accreditation
Organizational Requirements
- Clear legal identity and organisational structure.
- Independence and impartiality in inspection activities.
- Appropriate Type A, Type B or Type C classification.
Resource Requirements
- Competent and appropriately trained personnel.
- Suitable inspection equipment and facilities.
- Control of subcontractors, suppliers and external resources.
Process Requirements
- Documented inspection procedures and methodologies.
- Controlled inspection and sampling methods.
- Proper recording and reporting of inspection results.
- Traceability of inspection activities.
Management System Requirements
- Documented management system.
- Internal audits.
- Management reviews.
- Corrective actions and continual improvement.
- Handling of complaints and appeals.
Benefits of Accredited Third-Party Inspection
Credibility and Trust
Independent inspection provides additional confidence to customers, regulators, buyers and other stakeholders.
Risk Reduction
Structured inspection processes help identify technical, regulatory and operational issues before they become larger problems.
Regulatory Compliance
Accredited inspection can support compliance with applicable technical, regulatory and contractual requirements.
Quality Assurance
Independent inspection can improve confidence in the quality and safety of products, equipment, services and systems.
Market Access
Inspection performed under internationally recognised frameworks can support wider acceptance across supply chains and international markets.
Third-Party Inspection Services
- Inspection of lifting equipment and cranes.
- Pre-shipment inspection.
- Construction site and equipment inspection.
- Mechanical and industrial equipment inspection.
- Electrical equipment inspection.
- Safety and technical inspection.
- Industrial conformity assessment.
Benefits of Using an Accredited Inspection Body
- Assured technical competence.
- Independent and impartial inspection results.
- Alignment with internationally recognised practices.
- Improved regulatory confidence.
- Access to qualified technical personnel.
- Support for quality, certification and compliance activities.
Accreditation Bodies
National accreditation bodies assess inspection organisations against ISO/IEC 17020 requirements and define their approved accreditation scope.
The applicable accreditation certificate and schedule should be used to confirm the exact authorised inspection activities, locations and technical scope.