ISO/IEC 17020:2026 transition arrangements

ISO/IEC 17020:2026 Conformity assessment – Requirements for bodies performing inspection was published on 27th March 2026. The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) now Global ACI has agreed that there shall be a three-year transition period; by the end of this period inspection bodies accredited to ISO/IEC 17020:2012 worldwide must have been assessed and accredited to ISO/IEC 17020:2026. 

Key updates to the standard include: 

• ISO/IEC 17020:2026 introduces clearer structure, simplified wording, and improved alignment with CASCO standards. 
• Definitions have been updated, consolidated, or removed, including new terms like client and item.  
• Impartiality and independence requirements are strengthened, with clearer organisational expectations.  
• Competence requirements now focus on having access to competent personnel and enhanced monitoring.  
• Facilities and equipment controls expanded to include in service checks, tech systems, AI, and remote tools.  
• Externally provided products/services controls are significantly broadened, including mandatory provider registers.  
• Inspection methods require planned development, stricter content expectations, and validation of non-standard methods.  
• A new section formalises requirements for data and information control, including software validation and security.  
• Appeals and complaints processes are simplified and must now be publicly available.  
• Risk and opportunity management replaces preventive action, with strengthened corrective action and risk-based auditing. 
• Further support, including ISO/IEC 17020:2026 transition training courses designed to help organisations understand and implement the updated requirements, is available through the UKAS Academy and can be found here

The ISO/IEC 17020:2026 standard is available from BSI here

Useful information for customers:

• Information for the transition to the new version of the standard, including timeframes can be found here
• A link to the gap analysis template that applicants and transitioning customers will be required to submit to UKAS can be found here 

For general enquiries related to the transition contact your Assessment manager