ISO IEC 17000-2020 (2022) PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC 17000:2020 — Conformity assessment — Vocabulary and general principles. This international standard defines general terms and definitions used in conformity assessment (including the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies) and sets out general principles and a functional approach to conformity assessment (see Annex A).

Abstract

This document specifies general terms and definitions relating to conformity assessment and to the use of conformity assessment to facilitate trade. It provides general principles of conformity assessment and a description of the functional approach in Annex A. The standard clarifies the relationships between conformity assessment and related fields such as management systems, metrology, standardization and statistics.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: May 2020 (edition published May 2020; corrected version issued December 2020).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in collaboration with IEC / ISO/CASCO as the responsible committee.
• ICS / categories: 01.040.03; 03.120.20.
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2020), corrected version 2020‑12.
• Number of pages: 23 pages (ISO edition).

Scope

This standard specifies general terms and definitions relating to conformity assessment (including the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies) and to the use of conformity assessment to facilitate trade. It provides the general principles of conformity assessment and describes the functional approach to conformity assessment (Annex A). The document does not attempt to define the boundaries of conformity assessment.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized vocabulary for conformity assessment (definitions of key terms used across accreditation, certification, inspection and testing).
• General principles that underpin conformity assessment activities and decision-making.
• Description of the functional approach to conformity assessment (Annex A), explaining roles and relationships between actors.
• Guidance on use of conformity assessment to facilitate trade and on interactions with related fields (management systems, metrology, standardization and statistics).
• Terminology relevant to accreditation of conformity assessment bodies and to regulatory and voluntary conformity schemes.

Typical use and users

Used as the foundational vocabulary and conceptual reference by accreditation bodies, conformity assessment bodies (laboratories, certification and inspection bodies), regulators and policymakers, standards developers, procurement authorities, and organizations that commission or rely on conformity assessment results. It is used to harmonize language across international, national and sectoral conformity assessment activities.

Related standards

Commonly used alongside other conformity-assessment standards in the ISO/IEC 17000 series and related documents, for example ISO/IEC 17021 (certification bodies), ISO/IEC 17025 (testing and calibration laboratories), ISO/IEC 17020 (inspection bodies), ISO/IEC 17065 (product certification) and ISO/IEC Guide 99 / VIM (metrology vocabulary). These documents together provide competence, process and technical requirements while ISO/IEC 17000 supplies the shared terminology and principles.

Keywords

conformity assessment; vocabulary; terminology; accreditation; certification; inspection; testing; functional approach; trade facilitation; ISO/CASCO.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 17000:2020 is an international standard that provides the vocabulary and general principles used in conformity assessment activities.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It defines key terms and explains the general principles and functional approach to conformity assessment (Annex A), and describes how conformity assessment relates to accreditation, trade facilitation and related fields.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Accreditation bodies, laboratories, certification and inspection bodies, regulators, standards developers, procurement authorities and organizations that rely on conformity assessment results use this standard as a common reference.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The current international edition is ISO/IEC 17000:2020 (Edition 2, published May 2020, with a corrected version in December 2020). The ISO record shows this edition as published and subsequently reviewed/confirmed.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is the foundational vocabulary/general-principles document for the family of ISO/IEC conformity assessment standards (the 17000 series), which includes specific requirements and guidance documents for laboratories, certification bodies, inspection bodies and related accreditation requirements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Conformity assessment, vocabulary, accreditation, certification, inspection, testing, functional approach, trade facilitation, ISO/CASCO.