ISO/IEC 17024:2026 transition arrangements

ISO/IEC 17024:2026, Conformity assessment – General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons, was published on 31 March 2026 and replaces ISO/IEC 17024:2012.

UKAS has adopted the internationally agreed transition arrangements and certification bodies accredited to ISO/IEC 17024:2012 will be required to transition to ISO/IEC 17024:2026 within the agreed transition period. The transition arrangements are based on the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI) mandatory transition requirements.

Key updates to the standard include: 

• Enhanced focus on confidence in certification through clearer requirements relating to fairness, security, comparability, validity and traceability across the certification lifecycle.
• Updated and expanded terminology, including revised definitions and terminology covering areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), bias, invigilation and recertification.
• New requirements for artificial intelligence (AI), including controls relating to validation, monitoring, competence, human oversight, fairness, transparency and management of associated risks.
• Strengthened impartiality requirements, including explicit consideration of risks arising from AI tools, automated decision support and outsourced activities.
• Greater emphasis on competence management, including competence determination, ongoing monitoring, examiner competence and management of externally provided personnel.
• Enhanced requirements for examination and assessment activities, ensuring fairness, comparability, security and consistency across all certification methods.
• Increased focus on examination security and integrity, including controls for remote assessment and technology-enabled delivery.
• Expanded requirements for recertification, requiring certification bodies to demonstrate continued confidence in the competence of certified persons throughout the certification cycle.
• Improved requirements for records, information management and data control, reflecting increased use of digital systems and technology-enabled certification processes.
• Greater emphasis on risk-based thinking, governance, oversight and management system effectiveness throughout the operation of certification schemes.
• Updated requirements relating to fairness and accessibility, ensuring certification activities remain objective, equitable and free from undue bias.

Further support is available through the UKAS Academy, including ISO/IEC 17024:2026 transition awareness and implementation training developed to support certification bodies in understanding and implementing the revised requirements.

The ISO/IEC 17024:2026 standard is available from BSI here

Useful information for customers:

Information regarding the transition timetable, UKAS transition process and certification body obligations can be found in the UKAS Technical Bulletin and Transition Requirements documentation.

A transition gap analysis template is available for certification bodies and applicant organisations. This document must be completed and submitted to UKAS as part of the transition process.

Certification bodies are expected to undertake a documented review of all changes introduced by ISO/IEC 17024:2026 and demonstrate implementation of the revised requirements before a transition decision can be made.

Particular attention should be given to the use of AI, examiner and invigilator controls, examination security, recertification processes, competence management, risk management and impartiality arrangements.

Transition assessments will focus on demonstrable implementation and evidence of effectiveness rather than revised procedures alone.

For general enquiries regarding the transition to ISO/IEC 17024:2026, please contact your Assessment Manager.