Changes in New ISO/IEC 17024:2012

Changes in new ISO/IEC 17024:2012
ISO/IEC 17024:2012 was

published in July 2012
ISO/IEC 17024:2012 will be
used for:
-> regulated/mandatory
-> non-regulated
certification schemes.
ISO/IEC 17024:2012 took
over the structure of
ISO/IEC 17021:2011
What is new in ISO/IEC 17024-2012?
Intention of the Revision:
1. Include Development and maintenance of a

scheme from informative annex into the standard
2. Include IAF GD24:2009
3. Take over the Structure of ISO 17000-series (e.g.
17021)
4. Consider ISO/PAS 170015 that contains principles
and requirements for the elements of impartiality,
confidentiality, complaints and appeals, disclosure of
information and use of management system as it
relates to standards for conformity assessment.
???
more documentation, security, data safety
more clear requirements on scheme design
more systematic approach on impartiality

3. Terms and Definitions
3.1 certification Process: evaluation was changed to assessment

3.2 certification scheme competence: -> see 3.6
3.3 certification requirements: -/-
3.4 scheme owner: -> can be the certification body itself

3.5 certificate: -/-
3.6 competence: ability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve

intended results (Same as ISO 17021:2011 definition)
3.7 qualification: demonstrated education, training and work experience,

where applicable ( personal attributes)
3.8 assessment: this process includes now the evaluation

3.9 examination: -/-
3.10 examiner: person competent to conduct and score an examination

(3.9), where the examination requires professional judgment
3.11 invigilator: person authorized by the certification body who

administers or supervises an examination (3.9), but does not evaluate the
competence (3.6) of the candidate
3.12 personnel: including internal, external persons as well as

committee members.
3.13 applicant: must be a natural person not a legal entity/person
3.14 candidate applicant: who has fulfilled specified prerequisites and

has been admitted to the certification process (-> e.g. the application has
been accepted)
3.15 impartiality: presence of objectivity (-> Conflicts of interest do not

exist or are resolved)
3.16 fairness: equal opportunity for success provided to each candidate

in the certification process (this has been taken from IAF GD24)
3.17 validity: evidence that the assessment measures what it is intended

to measure, as defined by the certification scheme (this has been taken
from the IAF GD24)
3.18 reliability: indicator of the extend to which examination scores are

consistent across different examinations forms and different examiners
(this has been taken from the IAF GD24) => calibration of examinations
/ examiners
3.19 appeal: request by applicant, candidate or certified person for

reconsideration of any decision made by certification body related to
her/his desired certification status (=> the request can only be issued by
the applicant, candidate or certified person!)
3.20 complaint: expression of dissatisfaction other than appeal by an

individual or organisation to a certification body relating to the activities
of that body or a certified person, where response is expected (-> has
been taken from ISO/IEC 17000:2000)
3.19 appeal: request by applicant, candidate or certified person for

reconsideration of any decision made by certification body related to
her/his desired certification status (=> the request can only be issued by
the applicant, candidate or certified person!)
3.20 complaint: expression of dissatisfaction other than appeal by an

individual or organisation to a certification body relating to the activities
of that body or a certified person, where response is expected (-> has
been taken from ISO/IEC 17000:2000)
3.21 interested party: individual, group or organisation affected by the

performance of a certified person or the certification body (-> user of the
services, consumer, government authority)
3.22 surveillance: period monitoring, during the period of certification, of

a certified persons performance to ensure continued compliance with
the certification scheme (=> not an obligatory requirement of a scheme)
.
Principles - Annex A (informative)
Principles:
Principles support the credibility of certification.
The principles are included in the Annex A (informative).
Principles are not requirements .

Certification of persons is:
1. to recognize an individuals competence
2. that only those who demonstrated competence are awarded

certification
3. a valid assessment, by a third party, reconfirmed at defined

intervals
4. to provide confidence to interested parties in its competence,

impartiality and integrity
1. Impartiality -> not influenced by other interest or other parties
2. Competence -> competence of the personnel of CB
3. Confidentiality and openness -> balance between conf. & openness
4. Responsiveness to complaints and appeals -> effective resolution of

complaints / appeals to protect the CB
5. Responsibility -> CB is responsible to obtain sufficient objective

evidence upon which to base a certification decision
4. General Requirements
4.1 Legal Matters: -> CB shall be a legal entity that it can be held legally
responsible
4.2 Responsibility for decision on certification: -> no delegation outside

the defined certification body (e.g. by external technical reviewer)
4. 3 Management of impartiality:
1. documented organisational structure
2. risk analysis on conflicts of interests
3. top management commitment (GM / Head CB)
4. impartiality statement (publicly accessible without
request (e.g. website),
4. 3 Management of impartiality
4.3.1 top management commitment - statement publicly accessible
4.3.2 -/-
4.3.3 -/-
4.3.4 no discrimination of applicants and candidates
4.3.5 -/-
4.3.6 CB shall identify threats to its impartiality on an ongoing basis.
4. 3 Management of impartiality
4.3.8 A balanced involvement of interested parties

(certified person, user of the services of certified person, employer of
certified person, consumer, governmental authority)
REMARK: a conflicts of interests exists, when the design of a complete

package including training, examination and certification has been made
by a training institute.
4. 4 Finance and liability
Remark: financial planning shall consider at least on certification cycle

including recertification.
5. Structural Requirements
5.1 Management and organization structure - key responsibilities:
a. policies and procedures relating for operation

b. implementation of policies and procedures
c. finance
d. resources
e. development and maintenance of the schemes
f. assessments
g. decisions on certification
h. contractual arrangements.
5. Structural Requirements
5.2 Structure of the certification body in relation to training

(this has mostly been taken from IAF GD24)
5.2.1 A certain training can be a prerequisite of a certification scheme
5.2.2 Maintain impartiality meads not promoting specific training

services
5.2.3 Providing training and certification from the same legal entity
requires monitoring and firewalls to safeguard impartiality
examiners cannot assess a candidate they have trained within the last
two years.
6. Resource requirements
6.1.1 -/-
6.1.2 -/-
6.1.3 CB shall define competence requirements for personnel involved in
the certification process -> application, examination, certification,
recertification
6.1.4 -/-
6.1.5 Personal records shall include known conflicts of interest.
6.1.6 -/ -
6. 1.7 -/-
6.1.8 -/ -
6.2.1 Declaration of conflict of interests from all CB personnel -> to
consider conflicts as well between candidates and certifier (no
requirements on how to handle conflicts)
6.2 Personnel involved in the certification activities
6.2.1 Declaration of conflict of interests from all CBpersonnel -> to

consider conflicts as well between candidates and independent certifier
(requirements on how to handle conflicts)
6.2.2 Requirements for examiners:

a) understand the relevant certification scheme
b) are able to apply the examination procedures and documents
c) have competence in the fields to be examined
d) are fluent, both in writing and orally, in the language of examination
e) have identified any known conflicts of interest
6.2.2.2 Monitor the performance of the examiners and the reliability of
the examiners judgements: those objectives can only by reached by
on-site observation
6.2.3.2 Conflicts of interest by other personnel involved in the

assessment have to be handled and recorded.
6.3 Outsourcing (-> Subcontracting): the responsibility for

certification remains at the certification body and cannot outsourced
(see clause 4.2) .
6.4 Other resources: the CB has to use adequate premises,

including examination sites, equipment and resources for carrying out its
certification activities
see also:
-> 7.4.2 Security policies / procedures on examination materials

-> 9.3.4 Technical equipment verified and calibrated
7. Records and information requirements

7.1.3 The certified person has to inform the certification body of
matters that can affect the capability of the certified person to perform
the job (physical or mental capability) this duty of the certified person
shall be part of enforceable arrangements.
7.2 Information upon request: if an individual holds a current, valid

certificate / scope of certification (depending on legal restrictions)
Information publicly available without request: scope of certification and
general description, list of all pre-requisites of the scheme.
The certification scheme itself must not be made publicly available!

7. Records and information requirements

7.3 Confidentiality: activities of related bodies (e.g. training center)
have to be included in the management of confidentiality.
7.4 Security; more focus now on:

a. the security of the examination process
b. prevention of fraudulent examination practices
Candidates have to sign an agreement indicating their commitment not

to release confidential examination materials or participate in fraudulent
test-taking practices.
8. Certification Schemes
8.1 There shall be certification scheme for each category of certification
Category of certification (see also ISO 17011 clause 7.9.5 a) example:
-> welders, NDT persons, nurses, construction inspectors.,
The category of persons shall be identified in the scope of accreditation.

8.2 Elements of certification scheme:
a. scope of certification
b. job and task description (job profile)
c. required competence
d. abilities (when applicable)
e. prerequisites (when applicable)
f. code of conduct (when applicable)
Abilities: physical capabilities such as vision, hearing and mobility

Code of conduct: ethical or personal behavior required by the scheme
8.3 Requirements for certification process:
a. criteria for initial certification and recertification

b. assessment methods for initial certification and recertification;
c. surveillance methods and criteria (if applicable);
d. criteria for suspending and withdrawing certification;
e. criteria for changing the scope or level of certification (if applicable).
8.4 Development and review of Certification Scheme
(from the Annex A of ISO/IEC 17024:2003)
a) involvement of appropriate experts
b) use of an appropriate structure that fairly represents the interests of
all parties significantly concerned, without any interest predominating
(Note: the previous format based on a scheme committee is not a
requirement)
c) the identification and alignment of prerequisites, if applicable, with
the competence requirements
d) the identification and alignment of the assessment mechanisms with
the competence requirements
8.4 Development and review of Certification Scheme
Job or practice analysis:
-> identify the tasks

-> identify the required competence for each task
-> identify prerequisites
-> confirm the assessment mechanisms, examination content
-> identify the recertification requirements and interval.
8.6 When the certification body is not the scheme owner of a
certification scheme it implements, the certification body shall ensure
that the requirements on Certification Schemes are met.
-> contractual agreement with scheme owner

-> CB participate in scheme committee
9. Certification process requirements

9.1 Application process: signed application where applicant confirms
scope and compliance with:
-> certification requirements

-> scheme prerequisites

9.2. Assessment process: CB has to
verify the methods
for assessing candidates to ensure fair and valid assessment.
The assessment process can be subcontracted to another body.


9.3 Examination process requirements on the design of examinations:
a. results of each single examination

comparability of: b. in content and difficulty
c. validity of fail / pass decisions

9.3 Examination process:
Technical equipment shall be verified or calibrated where appropriate.
Statistical data has to be collected from each examination and analysed

in defined intervals.

9.4 Decision on certification:
Decision based on sufficient information sufficient for traceablity in

the event of appeals or complaints.
Decision on certification can not be outsourced.
For decision knowledge of and experience with the certification process

is required.

9.4 Certificates shall contain following information:
a. name of certified person

b. unique identification
c. the name of the certification body
d. reference to the certification scheme, standard incl. issue date
e. scope of the certification
f. the effective date of certification and date of expiry.
Designed to reduce the risk of counterfeiting.


9.5 Suspending, withdrawing or reducing the scope of certification:
The acceptable intervall for suspension has to be defined by the CB.
CB shall have enforceable arrangements with any certified person to

stop the use of all references to a certifies status in case of withdrawal.

9.6 Recertification process: the CB shall ensure that recertification
process confirms continued competence of the certified person and
ongoing compliance with current scheme requirements by the certified
person.
regulatory requirements
changes to normative documents
changes in scheme requirements
Recertification period: situation of industry / service field
risks resulting from incompetent person
development in technology
interested parties
surveillance methods if relevant

9.6 Recertification process: The selected recertification activity
/activities shall be adequate to ensure that there is impartial assessment
to confirm the continuing competence of the certified person.
On-site assessment
professional development
Recertification shall structured interviews
consider at least: confirmation cont. work experience
examination
checks on physical capability in
relation to the competence concerned

9.7 Use of certificates, logos and marks: The CB shall require that a
certified persons signs an agreement for the following reasons:
a. -/ -
b. to make claims regarding certification only with respect to the scope
for which certification has been granted
c. -/-
d. to discontinue the use of all claims to certification that contain any
reference to the certification body or certification upon suspension or
withdrawal of certification, and to return any certificates issued by the
certification body.

9.8 Appeals against decisions on certifications:
A description of the appeals-handling process shall be publicly accessible

without request.
The CB shall provide the appellant with progress reports and the
outcome.
The CB shall give formal notice to the appellant of the end of the appeals
handling process.

9.8 Complaints:
A description of the complaints-handling process shall be accessible
without request.
The CB shall confirm wether the complaint relates to certification

activities for which it is responsible.
Any substantiated complaint about a certified person shall also be

referred by the certification body to the certified person in question at
an appropriate time.
10. Management system requirements

10.1 General: the CB has to implement a management system:
Option A: management system with specific elements according 10.2
Option B: management system based on ISO 9001 incl. 10.2

10. Management system requirements

Specific elements of management system according to 10.2:
Management system documentation

Controls of documents
Controls of records
Management review (incl. input / output specification)
Internal Audits (every 12 month or longer when proven stability)
Corrective actions (incl. determining causes of nonconformity)
Preventive actions (incl. reviewing effectiveness of action taken)

Changes in New ISO/IEC 17024:2012

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Changes in New ISO/IEC 17024:2012

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Changes in new ISO/IEC 17024:2012

ISO/IEC 17024:2012 was

Intention of the Revision:

1. Include Development and maintenance of a

more documentation, security, data safety

more clear requirements on scheme design

more systematic approach on impartiality

3. Terms and Definitions

3.1 certification Process: evaluation was changed to assessment

3.4 scheme owner: -> can be the certification body itself

3.6 competence: ability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve

3.7 qualification: demonstrated education, training and work experience,

3. Terms and Definitions

3.8 assessment: this process includes now the evaluation

3.10 examiner: person competent to conduct and score an examination

3.11 invigilator: person authorized by the certification body who

3.12 personnel: including internal, external persons as well as

3. Terms and Definitions

3.13 applicant: must be a natural person not a legal entity/person

3.14 candidate applicant: who has fulfilled specified prerequisites and

3.15 impartiality: presence of objectivity (-> Conflicts of interest do not

3. Terms and Definitions

3.16 fairness: equal opportunity for success provided to each candidate

3.17 validity: evidence that the assessment measures what it is intended

3.18 reliability: indicator of the extend to which examination scores are

3. Terms and Definitions

3.19 appeal: request by applicant, candidate or certified person for

3.20 complaint: expression of dissatisfaction other than appeal by an

3. Terms and Definitions

3.19 appeal: request by applicant, candidate or certified person for

3.20 complaint: expression of dissatisfaction other than appeal by an

3. Terms and Definitions

3.21 interested party: individual, group or organisation affected by the

3.22 surveillance: period monitoring, during the period of certification, of

Principles - Annex A (informative)

Principles support the credibility of certification.

The principles are included in the Annex A (informative).

Principles are not requirements .

Principles - Annex A (informative)

Certification of persons is:

1. to recognize an individuals competence

2. that only those who demonstrated competence are awarded

3. a valid assessment, by a third party, reconfirmed at defined

4. to provide confidence to interested parties in its competence,

Principles - Annex A (informative)

1. Impartiality -> not influenced by other interest or other parties

2. Competence -> competence of the personnel of CB

3. Confidentiality and openness -> balance between conf. & openness

4. Responsiveness to complaints and appeals -> effective resolution of

5. Responsibility -> CB is responsible to obtain sufficient objective

4.2 Responsibility for decision on certification: -> no delegation outside

4.3.8 A balanced involvement of interested parties

REMARK: a conflicts of interests exists, when the design of a complete

4. 4 Finance and liability

Remark: financial planning shall consider at least on certification cycle

5.1 Management and organization structure - key responsibilities:

a. policies and procedures relating for operation

5.2 Structure of the certification body in relation to training

5.2.1 A certain training can be a prerequisite of a certification scheme

5.2.2 Maintain impartiality meads not promoting specific training

6.2.1 Declaration of conflict of interests from all CBpersonnel -> to

6.2.2 Requirements for examiners:

6.2.3.2 Conflicts of interest by other personnel involved in the