TS EN ISO/IEC 17021

TS EN ISO/IEC 17021 is the standard that sets out principles and requirements for bodies that audit and certify management systems, with a focus on competence, consistency and impartiality. It applies to third-party certification across different types of management systems, such as quality management systems and environmental management systems, while allowing a certification body to operate in only the fields it is competent to cover.

Third-party certification in context

A key concept in this standard is that management system certification is a third-party conformity assessment activity. In practical terms, the certification body is an independent conformity assessment body that evaluates whether an organisation’s management system meets the relevant reference requirements. The standard therefore addresses not just the act of auditing, but the reliability framework behind the certification decision: impartiality, consistency of judgments and appropriate competence are central to trusted certification work. Certification bodies may be private or public organisations, and in some contexts certification is also referred to as registration.

What this standard is used for

• It establishes principles and requirements for competent audit and certification of management systems.
• It is relevant to multiple management system families, including quality and environmental systems.
• It emphasises consistency and impartiality in certification activities.
• It does not require a body to offer every type of management system certification.