ISO IEC 17021-2-2016 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC 17021-2:2016 — Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems — Part 2: Competence requirements for auditing and certification of environmental management systems. This part of ISO/IEC 17021 specifies additional, EMS-specific competence requirements for personnel involved in the audit and certification process and complements the general requirements in ISO/IEC 17021-1.

Abstract

ISO/IEC 17021-2:2016 sets out competence elements and criteria that certification bodies must apply when assessing, selecting and using personnel for audits and certification of environmental management systems (EMS). It defines knowledge, skills, experience and other competence attributes specific to EMS auditing and certification and is intended to be used together with the general requirements in ISO/IEC 17021-1.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: December 2016 (Edition 1, 2016).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in cooperation with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 03.100.70 (Management systems services); 03.120.20 (Product and company certification. Conformity assessment); 13.020.10 (Environmental management).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2016).
• Number of pages: 11 (standard publication length).

Scope

This document specifies additional competence requirements for personnel involved in the audit and certification of environmental management systems (EMS). It complements and is to be used in conjunction with ISO/IEC 17021-1 (general requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems). The standard addresses competence criteria for auditors, audit team leaders, technical experts and other personnel used by certification bodies for EMS audits and certification activities.

Key topics and requirements

• EMS-specific competence criteria for auditors and audit team leaders (knowledge of environmental aspects, impacts and controls).
• Required understanding of relevant environmental legislation, compliance obligations and terminology.
• Skill and experience expectations for planning and conducting EMS audits, including impact assessment and evaluation of environmental performance.
• Competence criteria for technical experts used in EMS audits and for specialty areas (e.g., emissions, waste, biodiversity).
• Guidance on competence assessment, training, continuous professional development and record keeping for certification personnel.
• Requirements for audit team composition and how to demonstrate combined competence when multiple auditors are used.
• How the EMS-specific requirements augment the generic competency and impartiality requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1.

Typical use and users

Primary users are certification bodies that perform audits and certification of environmental management systems (for example ISO 14001 certification), accreditation bodies that assess those certification bodies, EMS auditors and audit team leaders, and organizations seeking EMS certification. Regulators, consultants and organizations designing auditor competence frameworks for environmental schemes also commonly use this standard.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 17021-1 (general requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems); ISO 14001 (Environmental management systems — requirements); other parts of the ISO/IEC 17021 series (for example Part 3 for quality management systems); relevant IAF and accreditation guidance documents and national adoption variants (EN/NF equivalents).

Keywords

EMS, environmental management systems, auditor competence, certification bodies, audit team, ISO/IEC 17021, ISO 14001, accreditation, technical experts, competence assessment.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 17021-2:2016 is the part of the ISO/IEC 17021 series that defines additional competence requirements specifically for auditing and certifying environmental management systems (EMS).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers EMS-specific knowledge, skills, experience and other competence attributes required of auditors, audit team leaders and technical experts used by certification bodies, and how these requirements complement the general rules in ISO/IEC 17021-1.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Certification bodies, accreditation bodies, EMS auditors and audit team leaders, organizations seeking EMS certification (e.g., ISO 14001), regulatory bodies, and consultants developing auditor competence programs.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO/IEC 17021-2:2016 was published in December 2016 and superseded the earlier technical specification (ISO/IEC TS 17021-2:2012). As of March 2, 2026, the 2016 edition is the recognized edition; users should monitor ISO and their national accreditation body for any later revisions or confirmed reviews.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 2 of the ISO/IEC 17021 series (requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems). The series includes Part 1 (general), Part 3 (quality management systems), and other related parts and technical specifications addressing sector or discipline-specific competence.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: EMS, environmental auditor competence, ISO/IEC 17021, ISO 14001, certification body requirements, audit team competence, technical expert.