The World Accreditation Day is celebrated on 9 June.
GOST ISO/IEC 17011-2018, Conformity assessment. Requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies, came into force last year to replace the same name GOST ISO/IEC 17011-2009.
This document establishes requirements for the competence, consistency and impartiality of accreditation bodies carrying out conformity assessment and accreditation of conformity assessment bodies.
The activities covered by the accreditation cover testing, calibration, inspection, management systems certification, personnel, products, processes and services, qualification verification, production of reference materials, validation and verification.
According to the text, the accrediting body should establish legally binding procedures for the relationship with each conformity assessment body. On this basis, the conformity assessment body should refer to accreditation only with regard to the accredited field of activity; organize a certificate evaluation of conformity assessment activities; immediately inform the accreditation body about any significant changes related to accreditation.
The criteria of competence should be defined for each accreditation scheme and should include the required knowledge and skills to carry out the activities in that field.
The accreditation body should establish and implement a documented process for the initial assessment and continuous monitoring of the workforce; should identify training needs and ensure access to specific training to ensure that all personnel involved in the accreditation process are competent to carry out their accreditation activities.
The impartiality requirement implies that the accreditation body should not allow commercial, financial or other pressure. The policies, processes and procedures of the accreditation body should not be discriminatory.
The accreditation cycle starts from the date on which the decision to grant initial accreditation is made. After that, the accreditation body applies the conformity assessment programme of the conformity assessment body, which is a knowledge base about its activities and management system.
If there is evidence of fraudulent behavior or the conformity assessment body intentionally provides inaccurate information, the accreditation body should initiate the withdrawal of the accreditation.
The accreditation body shall establish, document, implement and maintain a management system capable of ensuring and demonstrating continuous compliance with this standard. The management system of the accreditation body shall include: documentation management, records management, non-conformance and corrective actions, improvement, internal audits and management analysis.