ISO 17021: Ensuring the Integrity of Certification Bodies

ISO 17021 is an international standard that defines the requirements for certification bodies assessing management systems. Accreditation in accordance with this standard is crucial, as it ensures that certifying bodies operate in an impartial and competent manner. In order for a certification body to issue certificates that are recognized in the market and comply with ISO 17021, it must obtain accreditation from an accrediting organization.

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is a process in which an independent accrediting body evaluates and confirms that a certification body meets international standards, including ISO 17021. Accrediting bodies are themselves overseen by international organizations, such as the IAF (International Accreditation Forum), ensuring that their activities comply with established rules.

The significance of the accreditation mark on a certificate

Choosing the right accrediting body for the ISO certificate a company seeks to obtain is crucial for businesses striving to acquire a certificate recognized by key stakeholders. An important element of the certificate is the accrediting body's mark, which appears alongside the certifying body's name. This mark confirms that the certification process was carried out in accordance with international standards and that the certifying body operates with impartiality and competence.

The presence of the accreditation mark on the certificate is highly significant for companies, as it strengthens the credibility of the certificate and confirms that it is recognized internationally. In practice, this means that companies can compete effectively in global markets, and their certificates are acknowledged by customers, business partners, and regulatory authorities.

Interestingly, some certification bodies hold multiple accreditations from various accrediting organizations. This is often the case for bodies that wish to offer their services in multiple countries or industry sectors. Holding multiple accreditations allows companies greater flexibility in their choices and enhances their ability to meet the specific requirements of local markets.

An alphabetical list of major accrediting bodies for ISO 17021 compliance:

• A2LA (American Association for Laboratory Accreditation)
• AAC (Austrian Accreditation Council)
• AB Accreditation Body (Republic of Albania)
• Accredia (Ente Italiano di Accreditamento)
• ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board)
• BELAC (Belgian Accreditation Body)
• COARC (Costa Rican Accreditation Entity)
• COFRAC (Comité Français d'Accréditation)
• DAkkS (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle)
• EGAC (Egyptian Accreditation Council)
• ENAC (Entidad Nacional de Acreditación)
• ENAO (Ethiopian National Accreditation Office)
• FINAS (Finnish Accreditation Service)
• GCCAC (GCC Accreditation Center - Gulf Cooperation Council)
• IAAC (Inter American Accreditation Cooperation)
• INN (Instituto Nacional de Normalización - Chile)
• IPAC (Instituto Português de Acreditação)
• JAB (Japan Accreditation Board)
• JAS-ANZ (Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand)
• KAB (Korea Accreditation Board)
• KAS (Kosovo Accreditation Directorate)
• MAURITAS (Mauritius Accreditation Service)
• NABCB (National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies - India)
• NA (Nadcap - United States, Aerospace Accreditation)
• OLAS (Organismo de Acreditación del Uruguay)
• OAA (Organismo Argentino de Acreditación)
• PCA (Polish Centre for Accreditation)
• RENAR (Romanian Accreditation Association)
• SAC (Singapore Accreditation Council)
• SADCAS (Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service)
• SANAS (South African National Accreditation System)
• SAS (Swiss Accreditation Service)
• TÜRKAK (Turkish Accreditation Agency)
• TUNAC (Tunisian Accreditation Council)
• UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service)
• VLAC (Vietnam Laboratory Accreditation Scheme)

Why Choose Accredited ISO Certification Bodies?

Accredited ISO certification bodies possess the knowledge and competence to effectively and reliably assess management systems across various organizations. Certificates issued by these bodies are globally recognized, opening doors to international markets and enhancing a company’s credibility.

Certiget allows businesses to quickly gather and compare ISO certification offers, greatly simplifying the process of choosing the right certifying body. We invite you to explore our Worldwide ISO Certifying Bodies Catalog on the Certiget website!