TS ISO/IEC TS 17021-3

TS ISO/IEC TS 17021-3 is a technical specification focused on the competence of personnel working in bodies that audit and certify quality management systems. It adds quality-management-system-specific competence considerations to the broader framework for management system certification, helping define what auditors and related personnel need to know and be able to do in this subject area.

Competence in quality management system certification

In general technical terms, competence covers the ability to apply audit principles, understand quality management concepts, assess organizational processes, and handle certification responsibilities consistently. In this field, it is not enough to know the standard text alone; personnel also need to understand process approaches, factors affecting product and service conformity, and how to evaluate audit evidence. That distinction matters because certification decisions depend on both technical judgment and reliable audit practice.

What this Technical Specification covers

The document complements the existing requirements of ISO/IEC 17021 and addresses specific competence requirements for personnel involved in the certification process for quality management systems. Its emphasis is therefore on QMS-related knowledge and task profiles rather than on generic certification rules alone. In practical terms, this supports consistent audit-team performance, sound evidence gathering, and technical evaluation that can underpin certification decisions.

• Personnel performing audits of quality management systems in certification bodies
• Technical roles involved in the audit and certification process
• A competence-focused layer that complements ISO/IEC 17021