Accreditation of Product Certification Bodies
What does a Product Certification Body do?
A Product Certification Body is an organization tasked with evaluating and certifying products, systems, or processes against predetermined criteria or standards. These criteria may encompass regulatory requirements, industry specifications, or customer-defined parameters. Product Certification Bodies play a pivotal role in guaranteeing the adherence to quality, safety, and regulatory compliance standards across diverse industries. Their independent and impartial assessments aid organizations in identifying non-conformities, mitigating risks, and enhancing overall performance, thereby fostering consumer confidence and facilitating market access.
Accreditation Criteria: ISO/IEC 17065
ISO/IEC 17065 outlines requirements for the impartiality, competence, and consistency of certification bodies, ensuring the integrity and credibility of certification processes. Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17065 demonstrates that a Product Certification Bodies has established rigorous processes for assessing conformity, maintaining impartiality, and managing conflicts of interest.
Accreditation Process
Application
The Product Certification Body initiate the accreditation process by submitting an application form along with documentation demonstrating compliance with ISO/IEC 17065 requirements. This documentation typically includes certification policies, procedures, and evidence of technical competence.
Assessment
Accreditation bodies conduct an assessment to evaluate the Product Certification Body’s compliance with ISO/IEC 17065 requirements. This assessment includes a review of documentation, interviews with personnel, and observation of certification activities.
Review by Accreditation Committee
The assessment findings are reviewed by the accreditation committee, which determines whether the certification body meets the accreditation criteria. The committee may request additional information or clarification before making a decision.
Committee Decision
Based on the assessment findings and recommendations, the accreditation committee makes a decision regarding accreditation status. Accredited certification bodies receive a certificate and are listed on the accreditation body’s official registry.
Annual Surveillance
Accredited certification bodies undergo regular surveillance assessments to ensure ongoing compliance with accreditation requirements. These assessments may include document reviews, audits of certification processes, and observations of assessment activities.
Reaccreditation at 5 Years
Accreditation is typically valid for a specified period, usually five years. To maintain accreditation, certification bodies must undergo re-accreditation at the end of this period. Reaccreditation involves a comprehensive reassessment of the certification body’s operations, including its management system, certification processes, and compliance with ISO/IEC 17065 requirements.
Accreditation Scope Domains
The accreditation scope for ISO/IEC 17065 certification bodies encompasses a wide range of sectors and technical areas, drawn from the domains covered under ISO/IEC 17020, ISO/IEC 17021-x, ISO/IEC 17024, and ISO/IEC 17025. These sectors and technical areas are determined by ABA under the advisement of the Technical Committee, depending on the proposed certification scheme proposed by the Product Certification Body.
Our Office
13800 Coppermine Road
Herndon, Virginia, USA 20171
Contact Us
Phone: 703-234-5326
Email: info@abofamerica.com