Below is an update on the progress of the ISO 17021 standard that appeared in INform 11 in 2006. For the most recent update please follow the link below:
ISO 17021-2 updates - INform 14, 2007
INform's first article on ISO 17021 can be found here:
Latest on ISO 17021 - INform 11, 2006
Latest on ISO 17021
ISO 17021 is now at final draft international standard phase after a rocky path through the preceding draft international stages. The standard is the accreditation standard for conformity assessment bodies operating certification of quality management systems (QMS) and environmental management systems and is set to replace the ISO/IEC guides 62 and 66. After a great deal of debate, agreement has been reached to remove the fundamental sticking point, the requirement for a QMS that complied with ISO 9001. The standard is expected to be issued around September.
While the progress of ISO 17021 is fairly well documented, news of ISO 17021-2, the guidelines for auditing within the accredited third party context is harder to come by. This standard is likely to be regarded as the key reference document from which guidance in other contexts, such as food safety, information security and others that are developing their own auditing guidelines, is derived.
ISO’s Conformance Assessment Policy Committee is said to be concerned that work on ISO 22003 and other auditor guidance standards is progressing ahead of 17021-2, with consequent potential for confusion. ISO 17021-2 has considerable significance to auditors - IRCA INform will keep readers abreast of any developments.