ISO/IEC 17065 (5.2.1) requires a CB to have a mechanism for safeguarding its impartiality.
In addition
clause 5.2.2 The mechanism shall be formally documented to ensure the following:
a) a balanced representation of significantly interested parties, such that no single interest predominates (internal or external personnel of the certification body are considered to be a single interest, and shall not predominate).
clause 5.2.4 Although every interest cannot be represented in the mechanism, a certification body shall identify and invite significantly interested parties.
Taking into account the above requirements and specifically the need to ensure a balance of interest, is there any circumstance under which it would be acceptable for such a mechanism to be set up with only 1 person?
March 2022
It is quite unlikely that the mechanism for safeguarding impartiality is comprised of just one individual.
The CB shall identify and invite major interested parties in accordance with the requirements of 17065 (e.g. article 5.2.4) and shall not allow any party to be dominant in this mechanism. It also shall provide a balanced representation. Even though one individual has the power or authority to speak for a number of important interested parties, they are not allowed to do so. Other parties can be represented by different persons.