ISO IEC 17021-3-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC 17021-3:2017 — Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems — Part 3: Competence requirements for auditing and certification of quality management systems. This part specifies additional competence requirements for personnel involved in the audit and certification process for quality management systems (QMS) and is intended to be read in conjunction with ISO/IEC 17021-1.

Abstract

ISO/IEC 17021-3:2017 defines the specific knowledge and competence requirements that auditors and other certification personnel must hold when auditing and certifying quality management systems (QMS). It complements the generic competence, impartiality and process requirements set out in ISO/IEC 17021-1 by focusing on QMS‑specific knowledge (principles of quality management, relevant normative documents, sector and product/process knowledge) and the competence of personnel who review applications and make certification decisions.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed as current following ISO review).
• Publication date: 14 March 2017.
• Publisher: Joint publication by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 03.120.20 (Product and company certification. Conformity assessment).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2017).
• Number of pages: 5 pages.

Scope

This part specifies additional competence requirements for personnel involved in the audit and certification of quality management systems (QMS). It is intended to be used together with ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015: 17021-1 covers the general requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems, while 17021-3 addresses the QMS‑specific knowledge auditors and certification decision‑makers need (including QMS principles, ISO 9001 and related normative requirements, relevant sector practices, products/processes and typical organizational contexts).

Key topics and requirements

• Complementary competence requirements to ISO/IEC 17021-1: focuses on QMS-specific knowledge rather than general audit skills.
• Knowledge of quality management principles, concepts and terminology (alignment with ISO 9000/ISO 9001).
• Familiarity with normative documents used for QMS certification (notably ISO 9001 and supporting guidance).
• Sector, product, process and organizational knowledge relevant to the scope of audits (to enable effective evaluation of conformity).
• Competence requirements for personnel who review applications, select audit teams, review audit reports and make certification decisions.
• Annex/informative guidance listing knowledge areas expected for QMS auditors (used by certification bodies and accreditation bodies to define training and experience criteria).

Typical use and users

Primary users are certification bodies and their auditors who certify organizations to QMS standards (e.g., ISO 9001). Accreditation bodies use the standard as part of assessment criteria for accrediting certification bodies. Other users include audit team leaders, training organisations, organizations seeking certification, and regulators or procurement bodies that rely on accredited QMS certification.

Related standards

Key related documents to be used in conjunction with ISO/IEC 17021-3 include: ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 (general requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems), ISO 9000/ISO 9001 (QMS fundamentals and requirements), ISO 19011 (guidance on auditing management systems), and other parts/technical specifications of the ISO/IEC 17021 series addressing sector‑specific competence requirements (for example Parts 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and related TS documents).

Keywords

QMS, quality management systems, auditor competence, certification bodies, conformity assessment, ISO/IEC 17021, ISO 9001, audit team, certification decision, accreditation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 17021-3:2017 is Part 3 of the ISO/IEC 17021 series and sets out the competence requirements specific to auditing and certifying quality management systems (QMS).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the QMS‑specific knowledge and competence expected of auditors and other certification personnel (knowledge of quality management principles, relevant normative documents, sector/product/process knowledge, and competence of those making certification decisions). It is intended to be used together with ISO/IEC 17021-1, which addresses the general requirements for certification bodies and audit processes.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Certification bodies and their auditors, accreditation bodies, training organisations, organizations seeking QMS certification, and regulators or procurement entities that rely on accredited certification.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO/IEC 17021-3:2017 is the published edition (Edition 1.0, published 14 March 2017). The ISO record shows it was reviewed and confirmed (remains current) following ISO's periodic review cycle. Users should check the issuing bodies for any later amendments or withdrawals before relying on the standard for conformity assessment activities.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 3 of the ISO/IEC 17021 series. Part 1 contains the general requirements; other parts/TS documents in the series address competence requirements for specific management system types or sectors. Certification bodies apply Part 1 and the relevant Part(s) together.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include: QMS, auditor competence, certification body, conformity assessment, ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17021, sector knowledge, certification decision.