ISO 17021-1 management systems, is there a minimum level of witnessing required for the 5 year cycle.
For example we have very small CABs issuing <50 certificates per year and then we have every large CABs issuing >1500 certificates.
March 2023
No, there is no minimum level written as such for very small CABs; the witness is to be made by clusters. But, based on IAF MD 17:2019 clause 2.3.3, which uses the number of certificates as an entry point to determine the number of witnesses to be performed, it can be understood that the minimum is one witness for the selected IAF codes, as determined using the clusters approach, and possibly more, according to AB’s policy, if the CB has a large number of clients in an IAF code.
In IAF MD 17,
2.3.3. When deciding how many and which audits are to be witnessed, the AB shall
take into account factors such as:
…
vii) number of clients within the CB’s scope of accreditation;
…
and,
The following additional factors may be taken into account to select witnessing
activities:
- i) number of certificates issued;
…