The question concerns certification schemes where inspection is (part of) the evaluation activities. Which independence criteria would apply to inspection bodies or individually hired inspectors?
As certification and the inclusive components like inspection are a third party activity, we would assume that the requirements of ISO/IEC 17020: 2012 Clause 4.1.6.a / Clause A.1. apply in full.
September 2016
It is for the certification scheme (and accordingly for the scheme owner) to specify the independence requirements applicable to the nature of the evaluation activity. So in general, inspection bodies type A, B or C might be specified to be used where inspection is (part) of the evaluation activities. In the other hand it is for the CB to demonstrate that both internal and external resources meet the independence requirements stipulated in the relevant standard.
A) Individually hired inspectors (ISO 17065 6.2.1 internal resources )
The requirements for personnel including the inspectors are described in the Standard.(ISO/IEC 17020:2012) regardless of the type (A, B or C ) of inspection body from which they derive.B) Outsourced Inspection body (ISO 17065 6.2.2 external resources )
ISO 17065 6.2.2.2 allows the CB to outsource activities to “non independent” bodies like the testing lab. of the client of the certification body. Certification is a third-party activity, but Inspection as a part of the certification scheme may include “different parties´” activities: from Type A inspection Bodies (third-party inspection), Type B and/or Type C inspection bodies (first party inspection for its parent organization ).Type A inspection bodies may always be used for evaluation activities complying with the rest of requirements of the ISO 17065.
The use of type B and C implies that the CB analyzes the potential conflicts of interest and adopts measures to eliminate or reduce it. Type B inspection bodies all should not be involved in the certification of its parent company but may be used for evaluation activities complying with the rest of requirements of the ISO 17065.The use of Type C inspection bodies as part of the evaluation may be used for evaluation activities complying with the rest of requirements of the ISO 17065 but this fact should be communicated in advance to the client of certification.
Probably it is going to be easier for a CB to demonstrate independence when using Type A inspection bodies while it will require more work when using Type C inspection bodies.