Overview
ISO/IEC TR 17026:2015 is an informative Technical Report from ISO/CASCO that provides an example of a type 5 product certification scheme for tangible products as described in ISO/IEC 17067. It does not impose normative requirements; rather, it illustrates how a scheme owner and certification bodies can structure a product certification programme to demonstrate conformity of tangible products to specified requirements.
Key topics and technical scope
The report explains the main functions, activities and elements of a type 5 certification scheme, including:
- Selection (scope, product requirements, production-process elements, sampling methods and client obligations) - see Clause 4 and 4.5.
- Determination (evaluation): product evaluation, testing and inspection, assessment of production processes and audit of management system elements (Clause 5.2–5.3).
- Certification cycle: application, agreement, determination, review, decision, attestation, and issuance of certificates (Clauses 5.1, 5.6–5.8).
- Licensing and control of marks of conformity: rules for use, publicity, misuse, suspension and withdrawal (Clause 5.9).
- Surveillance activities: ongoing testing, inspection and on-site audits to maintain certification (Clause 5.10).
- Change management, confidentiality, product liability, complaints and appeals (Clauses 7–10).
- Practical examples in annexes: sample application data, production/process information, certificate content, licensing agreements and certification agreements (Annexes A–F).
The report cross-references conformity assessment standards and relevant assessment methods (e.g., ISO/IEC 17065 for product certification bodies and guidance to ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17020 and ISO/IEC 17021 for testing, inspection and auditing).
Practical applications and intended users
ISO/IEC TR 17026:2015 is useful for:
- Scheme owners (standards bodies, regulators, industry groups) developing or refining product certification schemes.
- Certification bodies designing evaluation, decision and surveillance processes consistent with ISO/IEC 17067 concepts.
- Manufacturers and clients preparing for product certification or documenting production/process controls and management system elements relevant to certification.
- Accreditation bodies, test laboratories and inspection bodies seeking clarity on roles and interfaces in a type 5 scheme.
Use cases include designing certification rules, drafting certification agreements and licensing marks of conformity, and aligning surveillance and sampling strategies with scheme objectives.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO/IEC TR 17026:2015, product certification, conformity assessment, type 5 scheme, certification scheme, tangible products, surveillance, sampling, mark of conformity.