ISO / IEC 17020 :2012 - Conformity assessment – Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection, was published in March 2012 and will replace ISO / IEC 17020: 1998.
The implementation of the new standard will be subject to a transition period still to be agreed at the international level but is likely to be at least 2, and possibly 3 years from the date of publication.
UKAS now has a project underway to facilitate the transition which includes reviewing and updating related in–house documentation, preparation and delivery of internal training for UKAS assessors, decision makers and other roles.
The intention is that UKAS will be in a position to start assessing to the new standard from January 2013 and from this date will not accept any new applications to ISO 17020: 1998, applications already being progressed at that time should be discussed with your Assessment Manager to agree which edition of the standard should be used. Transition assessments will take place at the time of your scheduled UKAS visits.
In the meantime the new standard is available through BSI. CABs should carry out a gap analysis against their existing process and plan the implementation in preparation for the transition programme. At least 1 month prior to their transition assessment CABs should provide a summary of any changes made or being progressed to meet the new standard and provide any changed Management System documentation.
More detailed information regarding the transition will be issued by UKAS as soon as the transition period is announced by ILAC & ISO.
For further information please contact: -
UKAS Technical Manager – Kevin Belson – kevin.belson@ukas.com
UKAS Development Manager – Lal Ilan – lal.ilan@ukas.com