ISO/IEC 17020 sets requirements for the competence and impartiality of inspection bodies. Our compliance certification audits your inspection body against those requirements and issues a USGSR Certificate of Compliance. As an inspection body accredited to ISO/IEC 17020 ourselves, we know the standard in practice.
This is a compliance certification issued by US Global Standards Registrars. It is not inspection body accreditation. Where accreditation is required, it must be granted by an accreditation body, for example USIAS.
Type A, B and C Inspection Bodies
| Type | Independence |
|---|---|
| Type A | Fully independent third party |
| Type B | Part of an organization; inspects only for that organization |
| Type C | Part of an organization involved with the items, with safeguards; may inspect for others |
Key Requirements We Audit
| Clause | Topic |
|---|---|
| 4 | Impartiality and independence (Annex A), confidentiality |
| 5 | Structural requirements, liability coverage |
| 6 | Inspector competence, facilities, equipment, subcontracting |
| 7 | Inspection methods, records, reports and certificates, complaints and appeals |
| 8 | Management system |
The Certification Process
- Application: share your scope, sites and headcount; we confirm the route and audit time.
- Proposal and agreement: written proposal and certification agreement.
- Stage 1 audit: documentation and readiness review.
- Stage 2 audit: on-site evaluation of implementation and effectiveness.
- Certification decision: made by a competent reviewer who was not on the audit.
- Surveillance and recertification: annual surveillance, recertification every three years.
Stage 2 includes observation of an inspection.
FAQs
Is ISO/IEC 17020 compliance certification the same as accreditation?
No. Accreditation is granted by an accreditation body for a defined inspection scope.
Is USGSR’s own inspection service accredited to ISO/IEC 17020?
Yes. Our inspection services are accredited to ISO/IEC 17020 by USIAS.