ISO/IEC 17021
Management System Certification Body Accreditation
Accreditation of management system certification bodies under ISO 17021.
Certification bodies audit organisations and certify that their management systems meet standards such as ISO 9001 or ISO 14001. ISO/IEC 17021-1 sets the requirements for those certification bodies: their impartiality, competence, audit process and management system.
Accreditation by ANAP is how a certification body shows that its certificates are issued by a competent and impartial organisation, which gives the certificates their credibility with the market.
What we offer
Management System Certification Bodies: what is covered
Multi-scheme accreditation
Accreditation across management system schemes including quality, environmental, occupational health and safety, medical devices, energy, food safety and information security.
Auditor competence review
Assessment of how the body selects, trains, monitors and authorises its auditors and technical experts for each scheme and sector.
Audit process evaluation
Review of the audit programme, from application review and Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits through to certification decisions and surveillance.
Witness assessment
Assessors observe the body's auditors at real client audits to confirm competence in practice.
How it works
The accreditation process
Apply
Submit your application and the scope you want accredited.
Systems assessment
Your documented system is reviewed against the standard.
Assessment
Assessors evaluate your competence and operations in practice.
Review
The assessment report is independently reviewed.
Certificate
If appropriate, the accreditation certificate is issued.
Benefits
Why it matters
- Certificates that are recognised and trusted by the market
- Demonstrated impartiality and competence
- A consistent, repeatable audit process
- Confidence for clients choosing a certification body
- Independent evaluation that supports continual improvement
Who it is for
Is this right for you?
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which schemes can be accredited?+
ANAP accredits against ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 13485, ISO 50001, ISO 22000 and ISO 27001.
Does a certification body need accreditation to operate?+
Not always. Many buyers, regulators and tender processes ask for accredited certificates, because accreditation shows the certifier has been independently assessed.
What is witness assessment?+
Assessors observe the certification body's auditors during real client audits to confirm they apply the requirements competently.