Following the publication of ISO/IEC 17024:2026, this bulletin has been produced to update Certification Bodies and stakeholders on the UKAS transition process and overall timelines for transition of accreditation to this new version of the standard.
Summary of changes
Below is a brief summary of the changes that have been made to the standard, this is not detailed and as such personnel Certification Bodies will be expected to fully review the standard against their current processes and procedures
- Expanded definitions and AI inclusion: The 2026 version adds new terms like “artificial intelligence”, “invigilation” and “bias”, expanding the scope of definitions to address modern certification challenges
- Enhanced impartiality and AI management: The 2026 version introduces explicit requirements for managing impartiality in AI use, including ongoing monitoring of threats and conflict of interest management
- New AI resource requirements: A new clause mandates Certification Bodies to validate, oversee, and disclose AI use, ensuring human oversight and expert validation of AI outcomes
- Strengthened data privacy and risk management: The updated standard strengthens data privacy and security requirements, particularly concerning technology and AI, and incorporates risk-based thinking aligned with ISO 9001:2015
Timeline
| Date | Milestone / Activity |
|---|---|
| 31 March 2026 | ISO/IEC 17024:2026 published |
| April 2026 to December 2026 | UKAS preparation |
| 01 January 2027 | UKAS ready to start assessing to ISO/IEC 17024:2026 |
| 01 January 2027 to 31 December 2027 | Optional stage: Certification Bodies can choose to be assessed to the 2026 version or remain with the 2012 version; in any case reports may highlight any major deviations from the new standard |
| 01 January 2027 onwards | Only applications to ISO/IEC 17024:2026 accepted |
| 01 January 2027 onwards | All initial assessments will be to ISO/IEC 17024:2026 |
| 01 January 2028 onwards | Mandatory stage: all assessments will be to ISO/IEC 17024:2026 |
| 01 April 2029 | Accreditations to ISO/IEC 17024:2012 cease to be valid; Certification Bodies that have not transitioned to the 2026 version by this date will no longer be able to claim accreditation for their certification activities |
UKAS transition process for accredited Certification Bodies
UKAS will be ready to begin the transition of its accredited personnel Certification Bodies from 01 January 2027. However, assessments to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17024:2026 will not be mandatory until 01 January 2028. Therefore, during the period of 01 January 2027 to the end of December 2027, personnel Certification Bodies will be given the option of deferring their transition until the following year or deciding to have the assessment in 2027. It is proposed that the transition assessments be undertaken with the scheduled annual UKAS assessment.
When arrangements are being made for the 2027 assessment, organisations will need to inform UKAS if they wish the assessment to be conducted to the 2026 version of the standard. UKAS will contact customers directly; there will be no need for a formal application requesting transition to be completed.
From the beginning of 2028, all UKAS assessments of accredited personnel Certification Bodies will be conducted against the requirements of ISO/IEC 17024:2026. These will be combined with the personnel Certification Body’s annual assessment visits.
In preparation for the transition assessment, each accredited provider will be required to complete an ‘assessment readiness’ gap analysis proforma and return it to UKAS at least 1 month prior to the assessment date. This proforma will be provided by UKAS at the time the transition assessment is arranged, although it will also be made available on the UKAS website.
The proforma will identify where changes have been made in ISO/IEC 17024:2026, and it will be the responsibility of the personnel Certification Body to consider the extent and impact of these changes, and to complete the form to state what changes (where necessary) it has made in order to meet the revised and new requirements in ISO/IEC 17024:2026.
Additional office time will be required by UKAS to review the changes made by the personnel Certification Body, as highlighted in the proforma. Subject to the extent of the changes made by the personnel Certification Body, it is not anticipated that additional site time will be required for most personnel Certification Bodies. The additional time required as part of the transition will be chargeable, with a fee to cover the desktop assessment, primarily of the assessment readiness questionnaire and submitted supported documentation. This will vary depending on the size/complexity of the personnel Certification Body and hence the expected time to complete the review. If significant changes are made by the personnel Certification Body to the training and/or examination process, then an additional witnessed assessment may be required.
The following detail gives an overview of the minimum effort required dependant on the CB size and complexity.
- Assessment Manager – office administration time – minimum 0.25 days
- Small CB / low complexity – a minimum of 0.5 days of desktop assessment time for the Lead Assessor with an extra 0.25 days for report; the effort required for the TA will be 0.5 + 0.25 days for report
- Medium CB / medium complexity – a minimum of 0.75-1 day of desktop assessment time for the Lead Assessor with an extra 0.25 days for report; the effort required for the TA will be 0.75-1.0 days + 0.25 days for report
- Large CB / high complexity – a minimum of 1.0-1.25 days of desktop assessment time for the Lead Assessor with an extra 0.25 days for report; the effort required for the TA will be 1.0-1.25 days + 0.25 days for report
Any additional site visits arranged to specifically assess the transition to ISO/IEC 17024:2026 will need to cover changes to both the management system and technical requirements for personnel Certification Body accreditation and, as such, will require input from both UKAS Lead and Technical Assessors. Such visits will be chargeable at the rate in force at the time (see UKAS Terms of Business) and will require more effort (assessment days) than if combined with the annual assessment.
The effectiveness of the changes shall be verified by the assessment team during the site visit. If areas are identified that do not adequately fulfil the requirements, then these will be raised as findings, with a one-month deadline for evidence submission. All mandatory findings must be addressed by the personnel Certification Body via the normal process before accreditation can be formally transitioned to ISO/IEC 17024:2026.
The deadline for transition to the new version has been internationally agreed as three years from the date of publication, meaning that from 01 April 2029 only accreditation to the 2026 version will be valid. It is therefore imperative that all accredited personnel Certification Bodies are fully transitioned before this date, and the UKAS transition timeline is based around this.
A new certificate and schedule of accreditation referencing ISO/IEC 17024:2026 shall be issued to each customer following the successful decision on its transition. Annual visit dates, current year in the accreditation cycle, initial accreditation dates and UKAS reference number will remain unchanged.
The accreditation of personnel Certification Bodies that fail to transition by the deadline of 31 March 2029 will cease to be valid after that date; their accreditation will be listed as ‘suspended’ for up to six months until such time that they can demonstrate to UKAS that they meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17024:2026.
UKAS transition process for applicant personnel Certification Bodies
Personnel Certification Bodies that have already applied to UKAS for accreditation to ISO/IEC 17024:2012 but have not yet had their accreditation granted, may continue with the accreditation process to ISO/IEC 17024:2012 (following grant of accreditation these personnel Certification Bodies will need to transition to ISO/IEC 17024:2026 before 31 March 2029). However, if the assessment has not been conducted by 01 January 2027, then the applicant will need to change to, and be assessed against, the requirements of ISO/IEC 17024:2026, with any mandatory findings being satisfactorily addressed before accreditation can be granted.
Personnel Certification Bodies that are considering applying to UKAS for accreditation under ISO/IEC 17024 should develop their systems and processes in accordance with ISO/IEC 17024:2026. Those that have already prepared an application against the 2012 version can still submit it, but should be aware of the dates specified above, and that they will then need to transition to the 2026 version before the deadline.
UKAS will not accept any new applications for accreditation to ISO/IEC 17024:2012 after 01 January 2027.
Further details and contact
Further details on the transition of ISO/IEC 17024:2026, including how to obtain a copy of the new version, can be found in the customer area of the UKAS website.
Queries regarding the transition process should be directed to the personnel Certification Body’s appointed Assessment Manager.
Download a pdf copy of this Bulletin here.