IAF MD11 (IAF Mandatory Document for the Application of ISO/IEC 17021 for Audits of Integrated Management Systems) states that “This document is mandatory for the consistent application of ISO/IEC 17021 by Certification Bodies (CBs) for planning and delivery of Audits of Integrated Management Systems (IMS).”
We are facing the following situation: a CB is performing audits for Integrated Management Systems for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001; this CB is accredited for ISO 9001 certification but is not accredited for ISO 14001 certification.
The CB applies IAF MD11 for both certifications, i.e., applying 20% supplementary audit time reduction for ISO 9001 (depending on the level of integration and the competence resource of the certification body), the audit duration for the ISO 14001 is very small and outside any audit time rules.
Questions:
- Is it acceptable that a CB applies the 20% reduction for the ISO 9001 audit time of an Integrated Management System audit, where only one of the 2 certification standards concerned by the Integrated Management System is covered by accreditation? In other words, is IAF MD11 applicable where a CB is not accredited for all management system certification standards concerned by the Integrated Management System?
- If answer is YES, how the AB can check the application of IAF MD11?
- If answer is NO, the audit time must be calculated separately for the Management System which is under accreditation, without considering IAF MD11.
Our view is:
This situation is not acceptable, audit time must be calculated separately for the management system which is under accreditation (in that case ISO 9001), without considering IAF MD11.
March 2023
The general question, “In other words, is IAF MD11 applicable where a CB is not accredited for all management system certification standards concerned by the Integrated Management System?” was considered, not the practical case.
1) The answer is NO, as the consistent application of ISO/IEC 17021 by the CB for all integrated management systems, as required by IAF MD11, has not been assessed as they are not part of the accreditation scope. This applies even if the CB can reasonably justify and demonstrate that applicable requirements are followed for the standard(s) which is (are) delivered non-accredited.
2) NA
3) YES