SIST EN ISO/IEC 17020:2026

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2026
Ugotavljanje skladnosti - Zahteve za delovanje različnih organov, ki izvajajo
kontrolo (ISO/IEC 17020:2026)
Conformity assessment - Requirements for bodies performing inspection (ISO/IEC
17020:2026)
Konformitätsbewertung - Anforderungen an Stellen, die Inspektionen durchführen
(ISO/IEC 17020:2026)
Évaluation de la conformité - Exigences pour le fonctionnement de différents types
d'organismes procédant à l'inspection (ISO/IEC 17020:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO/IEC 17020:2026
ICS:
03.120.20 Certificiranje proizvodov in Product and company
podjetij. Ugotavljanje certification. Conformity
skladnosti assessment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN ISO/IEC 17020

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2026
ICS 03.120.20
Supersedes EN ISO/IEC 17020:2012
English version
Conformity assessment - Requirements for bodies
performing inspection (ISO/IEC 17020:2026)
Évaluation de la conformité - Exigences pour les Konformitätsbewertung - Anforderungen an Stellen,
organismes effectuant des inspections (ISO/IEC die Inspektionen durchführen (ISO/IEC 17020:2026)
17020:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 17 February 2026.

CEN and CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for
giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical
references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to
any CEN and CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN and CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN and CENELEC members are the national standards bodies and national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and United Kingdom.

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN/CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means
Ref. No. EN ISO/IEC 17020:2026 E
reserved worldwide for CEN national Members and for
CENELEC Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the
requirements of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 9 July 2008 setting out the requirements for accreditation and
repealing Regulation (EEC) No 339/93 aimed to be covered . 4

European foreword
This document (EN ISO/IEC 17020:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/CASCO
"Committee on conformity assessment" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN-CENELEC/ JTC
1 “Criteria for conformity assessment bodies” the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2026, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by October 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN-CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO/IEC 17020:2012.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN and CENELEC by
the European Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these
requests for its Member States.
For the relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN and CENELEC
websites.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO/IEC 17020:2026 has been approved by CEN-CENELEC as EN ISO/IEC 17020:2026
without any modification.
Annex ZA
(informative)
Relationship between this European Standard and the requirements of
Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 9 July 2008 setting out the requirements for accreditation and
repealing Regulation (EEC) No 339/93 aimed to be covered
This European Standard has been prepared under Commission Implementing Decision C(2021)9277 of
17.12.2021 on a standardisation request to the European Committee for Standardisation and the
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation as regards accreditation and conformity
assessment in support of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
(M/580), to provide one voluntary means of conforming to Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the
European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 setting out the requirements for accreditation
and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 339/93 [OJ L 218].
Once this standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union under that Regulation,
compliance with the normative clauses of this standard given in Table ZA.1 and ZA.2 confers, within the
limits of the scope of this standard, a presumption of conformity with the corresponding requirements
of that Regulation, and associated EFTA regulations.
Table ZA.1 — Correspondence between this European Standard and Regulation (EC) No
765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 setting out the
requirements for accreditation and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 339/93 [OJ L 218].
Requirement of Regulation (EC) Clause(s)/sub-clause(s) of Remarks/Notes
765/2008 this EN
Article 5(1) 1, 6.1, 6.2, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6
Table ZA.2 — Correspondence between this European Standard and Decision No 768/2008/EC
of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 on a common framework for the
marketing of products, and repealing Council Decision 93/465/EEC [OJ L 218].
Requirement of Decision No Clause(s)/sub-clause(s) of Remarks/Notes
768/2008/EC this EN
Article R17(1) 5.2.1
Article R17(3) 5.1, Annex A
Article R17(4) 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.1.5,
4.1.6, 4.1.7, 4.2.4
Article R17(5) 4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.1.7, 6.1.2, 8.2.2
Article R17(6) 6.1.2, 6.2, 6.3.1, 6.3.2, 7.1.1, 7.2
Article R17(7) 6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3
Article R17(8) 4.1
Article R17(9) 5.2.4
Article R17(10) 4.2
Article R20(1) 6.3.1, 6.3.2, 6.3.4
Article R20(2) 6.3.5
Article R20(3) 6.3.4
Article R20(4) 6.3.2, 6.3.6
Article R27(1) 7.1, 7.2
Article R27(2) 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3
Article R27(3) 7.2.5, 7.6.2
WARNING 1 Presumption of conformity stays valid only as long as a reference to this European Standard is
maintained in the list published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Users of this standard should
consult frequently the latest list published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
WARNING 2 Other Union legislation may be applicable to the product(s) falling within the scope of this standard.

International
Standard
ISO/IEC 17020
Third edition
Conformity assessment —
2026-03
Requirements for bodies
performing inspection
Évaluation de la conformité — Exigences pour les organismes
effectuant des inspections
Reference number
ISO/IEC 17020:2026(en) © ISO/IEC 2026

ISO/IEC 17020:2026(en)
© ISO/IEC 2026
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ii
ISO/IEC 17020:2026(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General requirements . 3
4.1 Impartiality .3
4.2 Confidentiality .3
5 Structural requirements . 4
5.1 Independence .4
5.2 Legal entity and liabilities .4
5.3 Organization and management .4
6 Resource requirements . 5
6.1 Personnel .5
6.2 Facilities and equipment .7
6.3 Externally provided products and services .8
7 Process requirements . 10
7.1 Review of requests, tenders and contracts .10
7.2 Inspection methods and procedures .10
7.3 Handling of items .11
7.4 Inspection records . 12
7.5 Control of data and information . 12
7.6 Inspection report or inspection certificate . 12
7.7 Handling of appeals . 13
7.8 Handling of complaints .14
8 Management system requirements . 14
8.1 General .14
8.2 Policies and responsibilities . 15
8.3 Documented information . 15
8.4 Actions to address risks and opportunities . 15
8.5 Corrective actions .16
8.6 Internal audits.17
8.7 Management review .18
Annex A (normative) Independence requirements for inspection bodies.20
Annex B (informative) Optional elements of inspection reports and certificates .22
Bibliography .23

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
iii
ISO/IEC 17020:2026(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are
members of ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical
committees established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity.
ISO and IEC technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/
IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives or www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs).
ISO and IEC draw attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the
use of (a) patent(s). ISO and IEC take no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any
claimed patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO and IEC had not
received notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers
are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent
database available at www.iso.org/patents and https://patents.iec.ch. ISO and IEC shall not be held
responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
In the IEC, see www.iec.ch/understanding-standards.
This document was prepared by the ISO Committee on Conformity Assessment (CASCO), in collaboration
with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/CLC/JTC 1, Criteria for
conformity assessment bodies, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and
CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO/IEC 17020:2012), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the categorization of the inspection body’s independence type has been changed to type A and type
non-A;
— a definition of “item” and a definition of “client” have been included;
— a new subclause on the control of data and information and actions to address risks and opportunities
has been added;
— the common elements in CASCO standards have been incorporated;
— the risk-based thinking applied in this edition has enabled some reduction in prescriptive requirements
and their replacement by performance-based requirements;
— there is greater flexibility than in the previous edition in the requirements for processes, procedures,
documented information and organizational responsibilities.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards
body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html and
www.iec.ch/national-committees.

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
iv
ISO/IEC 17020:2026(en)
Introduction
This document was developed to promote confidence in bodies performing inspection.
Inspection bodies perform inspection activities on behalf of private clients, their parent organizations,
regulatory authorities, or others, with the objective of providing information about the conformity of
inspected items with regulations, standards, specifications, inspection schemes or contracts. Inspection
parameters include matters of quantity, quality, safety, fitness for purpose, and conformity of inspected
item(s) with specified requirements (e.g. safety compliance of installations or systems in operation). This
document provides requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of inspection
bodies as a basis to promote confidence about and acceptance of inspection results by clients, regulatory
authorities and others.
This document covers the activities of inspection bodies whose work can include the examination of
materials, products, installations, plants, processes, work procedures or services, and the determination
of their conformity with requirements and the subsequent reporting of results of these activities to clients
and, when required, to regulatory authorities. Inspection can concern all stages during the lifetime of these
items, including the design stage. Such work normally requires the exercise of professional judgement in
performing inspection, in particular when assessing conformity with general requirements.
This document can be used as a requirements document for accreditation or peer-assessment or other
assessments.
The requirements of this document can be interpreted when applied to particular sectors.
Inspection can be an activity embedded in a larger process. For example, inspection can be specified as
a surveillance activity in a product certification scheme. Likewise, results of other conformity assessment
activities can be used as an input when performing inspection activities. Inspection can be an activity that
precedes maintenance or simply provides information about the inspected item with no determination of
conformity with requirements.
The categorization of inspection bodies as type A and type non-A reflects the level of their independence.
The impartiality requirements are equally applicable to both type A and type non-A inspection bodies.

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
v
International Standard ISO/IEC 17020:2026(en)
Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies
performing inspection
1 Scope
This document contains requirements for the competence and impartiality of bodies performing inspection,
and for the consistent operation of their inspection activities.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC 17000:2020, Conformity assessment — Vocabulary and general principles
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/IEC 17000 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
inspection
examination of an item (3.8) and determination of its conformity with detailed requirements or, on the basis
of professional judgement, with general requirements
Note 1 to entry: Examination can include direct or indirect observations, which can include measurements or the
output of instruments.
Note 2 to entry: Inspection results normally include a statement of conformity regarding the item. However, schemes
or contracts can specify inspection as examination only.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17000:2020, 6.3, modified — In the definition, "object of conformity assessment" has been
replaced by "item"; the original Notes 2 and 3 to entry have been removed; a new Note 2 to entry has been
added.]
3.2
inspection body
body that performs inspection (3.1)
3.3
inspection scheme
inspection programme
set of rules and procedures that describes the item (3.8), identifies the specified requirements and provides
the methodology for performing inspection (3.1)
Note 1 to entry: Inspection schemes can be operated at the international, regional, national, sub-national or industry
sector level.
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC 17020:2026(en)
Note 2 to entry: A scheme that includes inspection can provide methodology for activities in either all or only in
some of the conformity assessment functions (see ISO/IEC 17000:2020, Annex A). It can include methodology for
inspection only (a determination function activity) or for other determination function activities. The scheme can
include methodology for selection function activities and, in addition, it can include methodology for review, decision,
attestation function activities
Note 3 to entry: The inspection scheme can specify independence requirements.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17000:2020, 4.9, modified — In the preferred term and the admitted term, "conformity
assessment" has been replaced by "inspection"; in the definition, "objects of conformity assessment" has
been replaced by "item"; "conformity assessment" has been replaced by "inspection"; the original three
Notes to entry have been replaced by three new ones.]
3.4
impartiality
objectivity with regard to the outcome of an inspection (3.1)
Note 1 to entry: Objectivity means that conflicts of interest do not exist or are resolved so as not to adversely influence
activities of the inspection body (3.2).
Note 2 to entry: Other terms that are useful in conveying the element of impartiality are: freedom from conflict of
interests, freedom from bias, lack of prejudice, neutrality, fairness, open-mindedness, even-handedness, detachment,
balance.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17000:2020, 5.3, modified — In the definition, "conformity assessment activity" has been
replaced by "inspection"; Note 1 to entry has been changed and Note 2 to entry has been added.]
3.5
appeal
request by the client (3.7) to an inspection body (3.2) for reconsideration by that body of a decision it has
made relating to the conformity of the item (3.8) inspected
Note 1 to entry: An appeal is only possible if a statement of conformity has been issued.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17000:2020, 8.6, modified — In the definition, "person or organization that provides, or
that is, the object of conformity assessment to a conformity assessment body or an accreditation body" has
been replaced by "client to an inspection body"; "that object" has been replaced by "the conformity of the
item inspected"; Note 1 to entry has been added.]
3.6
complaint
expression of dissatisfaction, other than appeal (3.5), by any person or organization to an inspection body
(3.2), relating to the activities of that body, where a response is expected
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17000:2020, 8.7, modified — In the definition, "a conformity assessment body or an
accreditation body" has been replaced by "an inspection body".]
3.7
client
person or organization requesting inspection (3.1) of an item (3.8)
Note 1 to entry: The client can be different from the provider of the item.
3.8
item
object of inspection (3.1) to which the specified requirements for the inspection apply
Note 1 to entry: The term “item” is used in this document to encompass product, process, service, material, location,
facility, premises, installation, or parts of thereof, or their design, as appropriate.
Note 2 to entry: The object of inspection can be a group of objects or a single object.
Note 3 to entry: An item can be inspected at any stages, e.g. design stage, type examination, initial inspection, in-
service inspection or under surveillance.

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC 17020:2026(en)
Note 4 to entry: Inspection of processes can include personnel, facilities, technology or methodology.
4 General requirements
4.1 Impartiality
4.1.1 Inspection activities shall be undertaken impartially.
4.1.2 The inspection body shall be responsible for the impartiality of its inspection activities and shall not
allow commercial, financial or other pressures to compromise its impartiality.
4.1.3 The inspection body shall monitor its activities and its relationships to identify threats to its
impartiality on an ongoing basis. This monitoring shall include the relationships of its personnel.
NOTE A relationship can be based on ownership, governance, management, personnel, shared resources,
finances, contracts or marketing (including branding and sponsoring) and the payment of sales commissions or other
inducements for the referral of new clients. Such relationships do not necessarily present a body with a threat to
impartiality.
4.1.4 If a threat to impartiality is identified, its effect shall be eliminated or minimized so that the
impartiality is not compromised. The inspection body shall demonstrate how it eliminates or minimizes
such threats.
4.1.5 The inspection body shall have top management commitment to impartiality.
4.1.6 The inspection body shall be structured and managed so as to safeguard impartiality.
4.1.7 All personnel of the inspection body, either internal or external, that could influence the inspection
activities shall act impartially. In particular, personnel involved in inspection activities shall not be
remunerated in a way that influences the results of inspections.
4.2 Confidentiality
4.2.1 The inspection body shall be responsible, through legally enforceable commitments, for the
management of all information obtained or created during the performance of inspection activities. The
inspection body shall inform the client, in advance, of the information it intends to place in the public domain.
Except for information that the client makes publicly available, or when agreed between the inspection
body and the client, all other information is considered proprietary information and shall be regarded as
confidential.
NOTE Legally enforceable commitments can be, for example, contractual arrangements or commitments related
to confidentiality policy published on the inspection body’s website or in the inspection body’s documentation.
4.2.2 When the inspection body is required by law or authorized by contractual arrangements to release
confidential information, the client concerned shall be notified of the information released, unless prohibited
by law.
4.2.3 Information about the client obtained from sources other than the client (e.g. complainant, regulatory
authorities) shall be treated as confidential, unless agreed by the source.
4.2.4 Personnel, including any committee members, contractors, personnel of external bodies, or persons
acting on the inspection body's behalf, shall keep confidential all information obtained or created during the
performance of the body's inspection activities.

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC 17020:2026(en)
5 Structural requirements
5.1 Independence
The inspection body shall meet independence requirements specified in Annex A, based on the conditions
under which it performs its inspection activities and, if applicable, as required by the inspection scheme.
NOTE An inspection body can meet different independence requirements (i.e. type A, type non-A) for different
inspection activities.
5.2 Legal entity and liabilities
5.2.1 The inspection body shall be a legal entity, or a defined part of a legal entity. The legal entity is
legally responsible for the inspection body and all its inspection activities.
NOTE A governmental inspection body is a legal entity on the basis of its governmental status.
5.2.2 An inspection body that is part of a legal entity shall be identifiable within that entity.
NOTE Identifiable means visible in the general organization and structure of the legal entity.
5.2.3 The inspection body shall define and document the inspection activities for which it conforms to the
requirements of this document.
NOTE The description of the activities includes defining the general field and range of inspection (e.g. categories
or sub-categories of products, processes, services, or installations) and the stage of inspection, and, where applicable,
the regulations, inspection scheme, standards or specifications containing the requirements against which the
inspection will be performed.
5.2.4 The inspection body shall have adequate provisions (e.g. insurance or reserves) to cover liabilities
arising from its activities. The inspection body shall:
a) analyse the risks arising from the inspection activities;
b) assess the potential liabilities associated with identified risks;
c) assure that the level of provisions established is consistent with those liabilities.
NOTE The liability can be assumed by the state in accordance with national laws, or by the organization of which
the inspection body forms a part.
5.2.5 The inspection body shall have documentation describing the contractual conditions under which it
provides the inspection, except when it provides inspection services to the legal entity of which it is a part.
In this case, internal agreements shall be established.
NOTE The contractual conditions cover the general and specific conditions for the performance of the inspections.
5.3 Organization and management
5.3.1 The inspection body shall:
a) define its organization and management structure, its place within any parent organization and the
relationship between management, technical activities and support services;
b) specify the responsibility, authority and interrelationships of all personnel who manage or perform
work affecting the results of its inspection activities;
c) maintain its capability to perform inspection activities as described in 5.2.3;

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC 17020:2026(en)
d) document its procedures to the extent necessary to ensure the consistent application of its inspection
activities and the validity of the results.
NOTE An inspection body can perform simulated inspections to maintain the capability for inspection activities
performed infrequently.
5.3.2 The inspection body shall have technical management who has overall authority and responsibility
for the:
a) development of inspection activities including inspection methods and associated processes;
b) performance of monitoring (see 6.1.5);
c) access to the necessary resources;
d) determination of requirements for competence of personnel;
e) provision of technical aspects of contractual arrangements;
f) performance of inspection activities.
5.3.3 The inspection body technical management shall be technically competent for the operation of an
inspection body.
5.3.4 The inspection body shall have personnel who, irrespective of other responsibilities, have the
authority and resources needed to perform their duties, including:
a) implementation, maintenance and improvement of the management system;
b) identification of deviations from the management system;
c) initiation of actions to prevent or minimize such deviations;
d) reporting to inspection body's management on the performance of the management system and any
need for improvement;
e) ensuring the effectiveness of the inspection body’s activities.
5.3.5 The inspection body shall document the duties, responsibilities and authorities for each function
involved in its inspection activities in a job description or other documentation.
NOTE The functions involved in inspection activities are inspectors and other positions which can have an effect
on the management, performance, recording or reporting of inspections.
6 Resource requirements
6.1 Personnel
6.1.1 The inspection body shall have access to a sufficient number of competent persons to perform the
type, range and volume of its inspection activities. The inspection body shall ensure that each person clearly
understands their duties, responsibilities, and authorities within the scope of the functions they perform.
6.1.2 The inspection body shall have a documented process for managing competence of its personnel
involved in inspection activities. The process shall address the following:
a) determination of the competence requirements including, where needed, for making professional
judgement (e.g. education, training, technical knowledge, skills or experience);
b) selection of personnel;
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC 17020:2026(en)
c) initial training of personnel;
d) authorization of personnel;
e) monitoring of competence of personnel;
f) continual training.
6.1.3 The personnel performing the inspection shall have knowledge, to the extent required, for the type
of inspection undertaken, of the following:
a) the technology used for the manufacture of the products inspected, the operation of processes and the
delivery of services;
b) the way in which products are used, processes are operated, and services are delivered;
c) any defects which can occur during the use of the product, any failures in the operation of the process
and any deficiencies in the delivery of services;
d) the significance of deviations in the normal use of products, the operation of processes and the delivery
of services.
6.1.4 The initial training shall include an induction period and a mentored working period with authorized
and competent personnel for the relevant inspection activity.
6.1.5 Personnel involved in inspection activities shall be monitored at a defined frequency by authorized
and competent personnel in accordance with a monitoring programme.
NOTE The following can be considered in the design of the monitoring programme:
— the risks and complexities of the inspections;
— results of previous monitoring activities;
— technical, procedural or legislative developments relevant to the inspections;
— inspection activities which use new technology.
6.1.6 Results of monitoring shall be used as a means of identifying training needs (see 6.1.8) and shall be
considered for maintenance of authorisation.
NOTE Monitoring can include a combination of techniques, such as on-site observations, report reviews,
interviews, simulated inspections and other techniques to assess performance, and depends on the nature of the
inspection activities.
6.1.7 Each inspector shall be observed performing inspection, unless there is sufficient supporting
evidence that the inspector is continuing to perform competently.
NOTE 1 Depending on the fields, types and ranges of inspection covered by the inspector’s authorizations, there can
be more than one observation per inspector necessary to adequately cover the whole range of required competencies.
Also, more frequent observations can be necessary if there is a lack of evidence of continuous competent performance.
NOTE 2 Sufficient evidence of an inspector’s continuous competent performance can be substantiated by a
combination of information such as satisfactory:
— performance of examinations and determinations;
— outcome of monitoring;
— outcome of separate evaluations to confirm the outcome of the inspections;
— outcome of mentoring and training;

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/IEC 17020:2026(en)
— results of examination by a competent body, e.g. a body operating certification of persons.
6.1.8 The inspection body shall identify training needs and provide relevant training to personnel
involved in the inspection activities to keep pace with technology developments, inspection methods and
other relevant changes depending on their competence, experience and upon the results of monitoring (see
6.1.7).
6.1.9 The inspection body shall have documented information demonstrating competence of its personnel
(see 6.1.2).
6.2 Facilities and equipment
6.2.1 The inspection body shall have available, suitable and adequate facilities and equipment to ensure
that inspection activities and all associated activities are performed in a competent and safe manner.
NOTE The inspection body is not necessarily the owner of the facilities or equipment that it uses. Facilities and
equipment can be borrowed, rented, hired, leased or provided by another party (e.g. the manufacturer or installer of
the equipment). However, the responsibility for the suitability and the calibration status of the equipment used in the
inspection activities, whether owned by the inspection body or not, lies solely with the inspection body.
6.2.2 The inspection body shall have rules for the access to, and the use of, specified facilities and
equipment used to perform inspections.
6.2.3 The inspection body shall ensure the continued suitability of the facilities and of the equipment
mentioned in 6.2.1 for their intended use.
NOTE Continued suitability can be established by visual inspection, functional checks, periodic maintenance or
recalibration.
6.2.4 All equipment having a significant influence on the results of the inspection shall be determined,
and, where appropriate:
a) be uniquely identified;
b) be subjected to in-service checks according to a procedure, when necessary, to maintain confidence in
the performance of the equipment;
c) for measuring equipment, be calibrated before being put into service, and thereafter calibrated
according to an established programme.
NOTE 1 Inspection bodies can document and retain the rationale for decisions on the significance of influence of
equipment on the inspection, including environmental conditions, when relevant.
NOTE 2 The procedure in b) can specify the nature of such checks, the frequency and acceptance criteria.
6.2.5 The inspection body shall have a procedure for handling, transport, storage, use and planned
maintenance of equipment in 6.2.4 to ensure proper functioning and to prevent contamination or
deterioration.
6.2.6 The inspection body shall verify that equipment conforms to specified requirements before being
placed into service or returned to service.
6.2.7 The inspection body shall ensure that when measurement results have a significant influence on
the result of the inspection, or when so required by the inspection scheme, the measurement results are
metrologically traceable to the International System of Units (SI) through at least one of the following:
a) calibration provided by a competent laboratory;

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