TSE CEN ISO/TS 23406

TSE CEN ISO/TS 23406 addresses requirements for bodies that audit and certify quality management systems for organizations supplying products and services important to nuclear safety. In practical terms, it is a technical specification for certification bodies operating in the nuclear sector, where assessment of ISO 19443-based quality management systems needs a more specialized framework than generic certification activity alone.

How it relates to ISO/IEC 17021-1

This document complements the general requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1 rather than replacing them. Its role is to support certification bodies working with organizations whose products and services are important to nuclear safety, where competence, consistency of audit decisions, and technical understanding are especially significant. From a general technical perspective, this means the certification process must be aligned with the stricter expectations commonly associated with nuclear quality management and safety-oriented supply chains.

Why the nuclear safety context matters

In the nuclear sector, even a small part of the supply chain can have safety significance. That is why the competence of auditors, the depth of technical review, and the reliability of certification decisions matter so much. More broadly, ITNS-related products and services are those whose design, manufacture, supply, or support may affect nuclear safety, so the organizations handling them typically need robust process control, traceability, and a strong quality management discipline.

• Applies to certification of QMS against ISO 19443.
• Complements the requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1.
• Can be used as a criteria document for accreditation, peer assessment, or other audit processes.
• Supports certification bodies working in a nuclear-safety-focused context.