TS ISO/IEC 17021-3

TS ISO/IEC 17021-3 is a Technical Specification focused on personnel competence for bodies that audit and certify quality management systems. It complements the general requirements of ISO/IEC 17021 by addressing the specific knowledge, skills, and experience expected of people involved in the QMS certification process. In practical terms, it helps ensure that audit and certification activities are carried out with technical consistency.

The role of competence in QMS certification

Quality management systems help an organization manage quality through planned processes, operational control, and continual improvement. In certification work, different roles may be performed by auditors, technical experts, and certification decision-makers. Competence requirements matter because effective certification depends not only on general auditing ability but also on understanding quality management principles, the process approach, and relevant sector practices; the same audit method may require different levels of technical depth in different organizations.

What this document covers

The standard covers specific competence requirements for personnel involved in the certification process for quality management systems. In general, such a framework is intended to support the qualifications of people who plan audits, conduct audits, evaluate findings, and contribute to certification decisions. In practice, this kind of document underpins the reliability, consistency, and impartiality expected from certification bodies.