Environmental, Health, Safety, and Quality
Management Services for Business and Industry, and Federal, State, and
Local Government.
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 ISO
17020, entitled "General Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of
Bodies Performing Inspection", is an internationally recognized standard
for the competence of inspection bodies. ISO 17020 should not be confused
with ISO 9001, which is specific to quality management systems. ISO 9001
does not require evaluation of the technical competence of an inspection
body and it should not be regarded as an ‘acceptable’ alternative to ISO
17020.
Overview of ISO 17020
The requirements of ISO
17020 are contained in 14 major sections including:
- Administrative
requirements
- Requirements for
independence, impartiality, and integrity
- Confidentiality
- Organization and
management
- Quality system
- Personnel
- Facilities and
equipment
- Inspection
methods and procedures
- Handling of
inspection samples and items
- Control of
records
- Inspection
reports and inspection certificates
- Subcontracting
- Complaints and
appeals
- Cooperation with
other inspection bodies
Like ISO 9001 and
ISO 17025, ISO 17020 requires procedures in several important areas,
including:
 | Procedure to
ensure that persons or organizations external to the inspection body
cannot influence the results of inspections by the ISO 17020-accredited
organization |
| Procedure for
feedback |
| Procedure for
corrective action |
| Procedure for
the care and maintenance of equipment |
| Procedure for
selecting qualified suppliers |
| Procedure for
purchasing |
| Procedure for
inspection of materials received by the organization |
| Procedure for
appropriate storage facilities |
| Procedure for
protecting the integrity of data produced by the organization |
| Procedure for
ensuring the security of data produced by the organization |
| Procedure for
dealing with defective equipment |
| Procedure(s) for
performing inspections |
| Procedure(s) for
performing non-standard inspections |
| Procedure(s) for
avoiding deterioration or damage to inspection items |
| Procedure for
dealing with complaints |
| Procedure for
dealing with appeals against the results of inspections |
In addition EHS
recommends the following additional procedures as a minimum supplement to
the required procedures:
| Control of
non-conforming work |
| Preventive
action |
| Internal
auditing |
| Management
review |
| Training |
| Calibration of
equipment |
| Contract review |
| Document control |
| Records control |
| Reporting the
results of an inspection |
Capabilities
EHS offers comprehensive
services that will help you achieve your ISO 17020 quality goals. We can:
| Conduct an
initial gap analysis |
| Help you
establish policies and objectives |
| Identify
documentation requirements |
| Make assignments
and prepare schedules |
| Prepare
documentation |
| Coordinate
document preparation, reviews, approvals, and production |
| Prepare the
following key documents:
 | Quality Policy |
| Quality Manual |
| Procedures |
| Master List of
Documents |
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| Manage
implementation schedules, training, follow-up actions |
| Help you select
a Registrar that has experience in your industry |
| Prepare status
reports and monitor progress |
| Conduct training |
| Conduct internal
audits |
| Request
registration |
| Conduct vendor
and supplier audits |
| Conduct customer
satisfaction surveys |
| Develop quality
system intranets to help you manage your documents |
For additional information:
Click Contact Us to send
us your comments or to request information about our ISO 17020
services and capabilities. Of course, you may also contact us by
telephone, toll-free, at 877-670-7841.
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Click
Contact Us
to send us your comments or to request information about our ISO 17020
services and capabilities. Of course, you may also contact us by
telephone, toll-free,
at 877-670-7841.
In Maryland -
301-865-6380
In Virginia - 540-349-3220
Or email us:
info@ehsservices.com |
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