How To Develop A Quality Manual For Iso/iec 17021?

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Creating a Quality Manual for ISO/IEC 17021:2015 is a representation of an organization's dedication to maintaining the highest conformity assessment standards and serves as a blueprint for excellence. The requirements set forth by ISO/IEC 17021:2015 apply to certifying bodies that conduct audits and issue management system certifications. Ensuring the competence and impartiality of these bodies is crucial for fostering trust in international trade.

What is the ISO/IEC 17021 Standard?
An essential standard for certification bodies that audit and certify different management systems is ISO/IEC 17021:2015. It maintains a high level of technical expertise and guarantees impartial, consistent services. The standard addresses quality, environmental, and security management systems, among others. For certifying bodies, a quality manual that outlines required procedures, regulations, and standard operating procedures is essential. It also offers a detailed roadmap for adhering to accreditation regulations and internal governance.

To Understand the Quality Manual
A key component of ISO/IEC 17021, the standard ...
... that certifies bodies that grant certifications for different management systems, is the Quality Manual. It highlights the certifying body's dedication to upholding technical competence and objectivity for third-party assessments and provides guidelines and procedures for accrediting management systems. By demonstrating the certifying body's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality management, a well-written quality manual promotes trust among stakeholders and clients.
By offering precise standards and standard operating procedures, ISO/IEC 17021:2015 promotes uniformity and openness throughout certification efforts. A quality manual should include the following essential elements: the scope of certification operations; specifics of processes and interactions; a policy for ensuring impartiality; roles and duties; and records and document management procedures.

First Actions for Creating a Quality Manual
The first steps are critical to a good end when developing a Quality Manual by ISO/IEC 17021 criteria. The two most important first steps in this approach are creating a development team and performing a gap analysis.
• Performing a Gap Analysis: Assessing the ISO 17021 documents and existing practices requires the completion of this step. By employing the gap analysis, certification bodies can pinpoint weaknesses and potential areas for enhancement in their management systems. A systematic comparison is part of the process, which yields important data for creating the Quality Manual.
• Creating a Development Team: The next tactical step is to form a focused development team. Bringing important individuals and stakeholders together guarantees a cross-functional approach to the creation of the Quality Manual. Every team member is assigned distinct duties and responsibilities, which cultivates the cooperative atmosphere required for creating an extensive manual.
• Creating a Plan: The following stage involves setting specific goals when a competent team and ideas from the gap analysis have been incorporated. Creating a strategy that details the objectives, the schedule, and the important checkpoints creates a workable path toward the completion of a strong quality manual.

Structuring the Quality Manual
For certifying bodies working under ISO/IEC 17021, the Quality Manual is an essential guide for management system assessments and certifications. It guarantees impartiality, technical proficiency, and compliance with certifying requirements. A Table of Contents offers quick access to content and facilitates navigation in a well-organized manual. It comprises an introduction, a summary of the certifying organization, a scope, and the quality policy of the business.
The organization's goal, purpose, and values are outlined in the quality manual, which serves as a thorough manual for certification operations. It lists all the many kinds of management systems that have been evaluated, including security and quality management systems. A summary of the organization, required protocols, standard operating procedures for certification and auditing, and the handling of external documentation are all included in the manual. To maintain the organization's standing as a reliable certifying body and to represent the dynamic character of the body's operations, the manual should change over time.

Documenting Procedures
The ISO/IEC 17021 standard requires documentation of procedures to guarantee consistency in certification activities and preserve the objectivity and integrity of certifying organizations. The following are crucial processes that certifying bodies need to carefully record:
Procedure for Document Control
A strong document control procedure needs to be in place to protect the credibility of certification processes. This comprises:
• Methodical document generation, review, and approval.
• Preserving records so that pertinent people can access them and they remain current.
Method of Auditing
Certification is based on successful audits. Recording this process entails:
• Thorough preparation and performance of audits.
• Recording audit findings and taking the necessary corrective action afterwards

Decision-Making Process for Certification
Sustaining confidence in the ISO/IEC 17021 system requires an open and honest certification decision-making process. It consists of:
• Comprehensive record-keeping of certification determinations.
• Ensuring that choices are made impartially, competently, and free from conflicts of interest.
Procedure for Complaints and Appeals
A procedure that exhibits a dedication to equity and responsiveness entails:
• Accepting complaints and reviewing appeals.
• Resolutions that are documented and shared with the parties concerned.

Source Link: ISO 17021 documents