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FAQ Question 50.4 Competence criteria and evaluation for members of committee for safeguarding impartiality
Question 50.4 Competence criteria and evaluation for members of committee for safeguarding impartiality

Background:

According to the earlier IAF MD10:2013 cl. 3.4 ‘The AB shall verify that the CB has determined competence criteria for: (b) Members of its committee for safeguarding impartiality’.

Since the introduction of ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, the committee for safeguarding impartiality as stipulated in ISO/IEC 17021:2011 cl. 6.2 has been replaced by ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 cl. 5.2. According to ISO/IEC 17021-1 cl. 5.2.3 NOTE 3: ‘One way of fulfilling the consultation requirement of this clause is by the use of a committee of these interested parties’. There are no further relevant changes communicated from ISO/CASCO and/or IAF Technical Committee regarding the earlier IAF MD10:2013 cl. 3.4 and related ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 requirements.

Question(s):

  1. Are competence criteria for, and evaluation of members of committee for safeguarding impartiality requirements required, in case the CAB uses a committee for safeguarding impartiality?
  2. If yes, are ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 cl. 7.1.2 and 7.1.3 the applicable requirements in case a CAB uses a committee for safeguarding?
  3. If no, what would be a sensible approach to ensure adequate outcomes from this group of representatives of interested parties (committee or otherwise)?
  4. In case of ISO/IEC 17065, is a similar answer applicable and must requirements be imposed on the “mechanism?

September 2025

  1. No, unless they are involved in activities related to the certification process (ref. Annex A), then cl.7.1 applies.
  2. Not applicable.
  3. ISO/IEC 17021-1 does not provide competence requirements for the members of an impartiality committee; the only enforceable aspect is demonstrable effectiveness of “identification of and consultation with appropriate interested parties to advise on matters affecting impartiality including openness and public perception. The consultation with appropriate interested parties shall be balanced with no single interest predominating.” Also note the requirements of cl. 5.2.12 “All certification body personnel, either internal or external, or committees, who could influence the certification activities, shall act impartially and shall not allow commercial, financial or other pressures to compromise impartiality.”
  4. Same approach for ISO/IEC 17065.