ISO/IEC 17020:2026 Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies performing inspection and ISO/IEC 17024:2026 Conformity assessment — General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons have been published by ISO (International Organization for Standardization) respectively on 31 March and 1 April 2026.
These standards are being used as so-called level 3 standards for accreditation purposes. For more information, see EA-1/06 EA Multilateral Agreement. Criteria for signing. Policy and procedures for development.
Revision of ISO/IEC 17020
ISO/IEC 17020 specifies the requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of inspection bodies.
Inspection plays a critical role in risk management. It helps detect defects, verify compliance, and ensure that products, systems, and processes are safe and fit for use.
ISO/IEC 17020 ensures that inspection bodies operate in a competent, consistent, and reliable way. By defining requirements for competence and impartiality, it builds trust in inspection results and supports their acceptance across markets and regulatory environments.
The main change is the simplification of independence categories from three types (A, B, and C) to two types: Type A and Type non-A. This reduces ambiguity and improves practical application. The revision also introduces risk-based thinking, more flexibility in requirements, and new provisions on data and information control.
Revision of ISO/IEC 17024
Certification of persons is one way of assuring that an individual meets defined competence requirements within a specific certification scheme.
ISO/IEC 17024 sets requirements for certification bodies operating certification of persons, aiming to ensure these bodies operate in a consistent, reliable, and internationally recognized manner.
The revision introduces a definition and requirements related to the use of AI in certification processes, updates terminology, and aligns with common CASCO elements. A new Annex B explains how key elements like certification activities, processes, assessments, applications, exams, and schemes fit together, making the standard easier to understand.
EA has published a directory of National Accreditation Bodies that intend to offer accreditation of verifiers for EU CBAM.
The references of the “EN ISO 20387:2020 Biotechnology – Biobanking – General requirements for biobanking” are published in the Official Journal of the EU as of 23 February 2026.
