Need to know? Steps from Conformity assessment to ISO/IEC certification –

The authoritative hierarchy of the bodies in the global perspective and the flow of authenticity of the management system and product certification. There are 6 steps –

Step -1 :: 

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) – an independent a non-governmental global body keeps creating, modifying and updating the standards. As of mid‑2024, ISO has published over 25 000 international standards across all domains. Among these, there are around 70–80 distinct ISO management system standards are in active use globally. The most widely‑recognized “Type A” requirement standards include ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 27001, 20000‑1, 22301, 50001, etc.  These are topic‑specific management system (e.g. food safety, energy, security printing, educational organizations, tourism, privacy, asset management and so forth).  

Step – 2 :: IAF (International Accreditation Forum)

The global association of accreditation bodies. The highest authoritative body regrading conformity principles and guidelines and mandatory documents – International Accreditation Forum – for global oversight and recognition. It ensures conformity assessment and mutual acceptance of accreditation certification through MLA – Multilateral Recognition Arrangement. It engages Regional Accreditation Cooperation Bodies to do the peer evaluation of accreditation bodies through the IAF’s published conformity assessment guidance and MDs (mandatory documents). 

Step -3 :: 

In this hierarchy RACB (Regional Accreditation Cooperation Bodies) like APAC (Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation), EA (European Cooperation for Accreditation), IAAC, ARAC, AFRAC, SADCA – who are responsible and engaged by IAF to conduct peer evaluation on the ABs (National Accreditation Bodies) according to the IAF’s conformity assessment guidance and mandatory documents and report to the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and maintain regional MLA – linked to IAF’s MLA.

Step – 4 ::

The next top-down authoritative bodies are ABs – National accreditation bodies who are evaluated by Regional Accreditation Cooperation Bodies through the conformance of ISO/IEC 17011 international standards and IAF’s guidelines. The top-most in the global ranking are UKAS (United Kingdom), ANAB (USA), DAKKS (Germany), BAB (Bangladesh) etc. They accredit the CBs – certification bodies in compliance with ISO/IEC 17021 (Management System) and ISO/IEC 17065 (Product Certification).

Step – 5 :: CBs – The certification bodies and accredited by ABs.

The function of CBs is to audit and certify organizations to standards (ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001 etc.). maintaining impartiality, transparency. 

Step – 6:: Certified Organizations 

Get audited and certified by CBs, undergo surveillance and recertification audits. Continual improvement and compliance with ISO standards.