ISO IEC 17030-2021 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC 17030:2021 — Conformity assessment — General requirements for third‑party marks of conformity. This International Standard specifies general requirements for the issue, control and use of third‑party marks of conformity (including accreditation symbols), covering marks in various forms and media (printed, electronically displayed, machine‑readable codes, QR codes, blockchain/distributed ledgers and other digital means).

Abstract

This document provides general requirements to ensure third‑party marks of conformity are issued and used in a transparent, consistent and reliable manner. It applies to marks that indicate an object of conformity assessment (product, process, service, person, system or body) meets specified requirements and is based on a conformity assessment scheme that includes surveillance. The standard clarifies mark design, licensing, conditions of use, measures to prevent misuse, requirements for information and traceability, and expectations for digital representations of marks.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 9 September 2021
• Publisher: ISO (International Organization for Standardization) / IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) — developed by ISO/IEC CASCO
• ICS / categories: 03.120.20 (Product and company certification; Conformity assessment)
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2021)
• Number of pages: 7 (official ISO edition)

Scope

ISO/IEC 17030:2021 applies to third‑party marks of conformity issued and used in different forms and media and addresses the issue, control and use of those marks. It includes accreditation symbols and other symbols of recognition where they function as third‑party marks. The standard does not apply to markings that only indicate a designation, code or classification, nor to logos of associations that do not function as a third‑party conformity mark. Requirements in the standard assume the mark is issued within a conformity assessment scheme that provides surveillance.

Key topics and requirements

• Ownership and legal protection: mark owners must protect the mark and establish legally binding rules and licence agreements for its use.
• Clear identification: marks must identify the issuer and the aspects covered (e.g., safety, quality, environmental) and avoid ambiguity.
• Conditions of use and licensing: documented rules for application, placement (product, packaging, accompanying information), reproduction, and digital use.
• Surveillance and scheme basis: marks must be issued on the basis of a conformity assessment scheme that includes surveillance or equivalent ongoing control.
• Controls against misuse and counterfeiting: design/technical measures, monitoring, complaint handling, corrective actions and withdrawal mechanisms.
• Transparency and information: owners/issuers must publish accessible information about the meaning, scope and limitations of the mark and the conformity assessment performed.
• Traceability and validity: marks should be traceable to the assessed requirements and used only when those requirements are met; provisions for revocation and corrective follow‑up.
• Digital representations: explicit recognition of electronically stored/displayed marks, machine‑readable codes, QR codes and distributed ledger technologies; guidance on their use and control.
• Restrictions on misleading use: requirements to prevent presentation of management‑system marks or other non‑product marks in a way that implies product conformity.
• Recordkeeping and monitoring: owners/issuers must keep records of issued licences, monitoring activities and actions taken on misuse.

Typical use and users

This standard is used by conformity assessment bodies, certification and accreditation organizations, scheme owners, manufacturers and suppliers, regulators, procurement bodies and purchasers who rely on third‑party marks to demonstrate conformity. It is also relevant to legal counsel and brand owners establishing mark licence agreements, and to digital service providers implementing e‑labelling, QR or blockchain solutions for mark verification.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 17030:2021 is part of the CASCO family of conformity assessment standards and is closely related to ISO/IEC 17000 (vocabulary and general principles), ISO/IEC 17065 (requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services), ISO/IEC 17021‑1 (requirements for management system certification bodies), ISO Guide 27 (corrective action in case of misuse) and ISO/IEC Guide 23 (indicating conformity with standards). It aligns language and concepts with the CASCO toolbox and other ISO/IEC conformity assessment documents.

Keywords

third‑party mark, mark of conformity, accreditation mark, certification mark, surveillance, misuse, licence, traceability, e‑label, QR code, blockchain, conformity assessment, CASCO

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 17030:2021 is an international standard that sets out general requirements for the issue, control and use of third‑party marks of conformity (including accreditation symbols) in printed and digital forms.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers ownership and legal protection of marks, rules and licence agreements, identification and information requirements, control and surveillance expectations, measures to prevent misuse and counterfeiting, traceability, recordkeeping and the use of digital representations (QR, machine‑readable codes, blockchain).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Conformity assessment bodies, accreditation and certification organizations, scheme owners, manufacturers and suppliers applying marks, regulators and procurement authorities, and digital service providers implementing verification technologies.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: This standard was published on 9 September 2021 (Edition 2) and supersedes ISO/IEC 17030:2003. As of its publication it is the current edition published by ISO/IEC CASCO.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the ISO/IEC conformity assessment (CASCO) family and is intended to be used alongside ISO/IEC 17000 (vocabulary/principles) and other related ISO/IEC standards such as ISO/IEC 17065 and ISO/IEC 17021‑1.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Third‑party mark, accreditation mark, mark of conformity, surveillance, misuse, licence agreement, traceability, e‑labelling, QR code, blockchain, conformity assessment.