15 FAQs on ISO/IEC 17021:2006

摘要

Why is the new standard needed? What will happen to the existing ISO/IEC Guides 62 and 66? What other types of MS are covered by ISO/IEC 17021? Is ISO/IEC 17021 an accreditation standard? Does ISO/IEC 17021 establish all the rules for the certification of all types of MS? Why is there a section on principles? Why do we need a separate standard for certification bodies-couldn't they use ISO 9001:2000? Will there be a transition period for upgrading accreditations from the exiting ISO/IEC Guides 62 and 66 to the new ISO/IEC 17021? Why does the standard include a requirement for "an impartiality committee"? Does ISO/IEC 17021 provide the criteria for the qualification of auditors? Does ISO/IEC 17021 include tables on audit duration? Why does ISO/IEC 17021 recommend two-stage audits for initial certification? Does the standard allow certification bodies to out source auditing to external auditors? Does the standard allow a certification body provide training services on management systems and auditing?