TS ISO/IEC 17021-2

TS ISO/IEC 17021-2 is a conformity assessment standard that addresses additional competence requirements for personnel involved in auditing and certifying environmental management systems (EMS), complementing TS ISO/IEC 17021-1. Its focus is the technical capability of people working within certification bodies to understand EMS-specific issues and apply them consistently during audit and certification activities.

In general technical terms, competence in management system certification is more than knowing audit techniques. It also involves understanding the discipline being assessed, evaluating evidence coherently, and supporting certification decisions with sound judgment. For EMS audits, that means being able to interpret environmental aspects, legal compliance, operational control, environmental performance, and the organization’s context appropriately.

Why competence matters in EMS auditing

EMS certification builds on the general principles of management system auditing and adds environmental expertise. Personnel need the ability to understand the environmental implications of processes, gather and evaluate evidence, and interpret findings in terms of risk and significance. This standard defines that additional competence layer and places it alongside the existing framework of ISO/IEC 17021-1.

• Intended for personnel involved in EMS auditing within certification bodies.
• Complements the general requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1.
• Focuses on additional competence specific to environmental management systems.
• Applies in the management system certification context, not as a product certification standard.