ISO accreditation in the UK is the process of ensuring that a certification body is qualified to assess and issue ISO certification. Accreditation is typically carried out by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), which is the national accreditation body for the UK. UKAS is recognized by the UK government to assess and accredit certification bodies against internationally recognized standards.
The accreditation process for ISO certification bodies in the UK typically involves the following steps:
Application: The certification body applies to UKAS for accreditation.
Evaluation: UKAS evaluates the certification body's policies, procedures, and competence against ISO/IEC 17021-1, the international standard for certification bodies.
Initial assessment: UKAS carries out an initial assessment of the certification body's management system and assessors to ensure that they are competent to carry out assessments.
Witness assessment: UKAS witnesses the certification body's assessments to ensure that they are carried out in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021-1.
Decision: UKAS makes a decision on whether to accredit the certification body based on the evaluation and assessments carried out.
Surveillance assessments: UKAS carries out periodic surveillance assessments of the certification body to ensure that they continue to meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1.
Accreditation by UKAS provides assurance that a certification body is competent and impartial in carrying out ISO certification assessments. It also ensures that the certification is recognized internationally, which can be beneficial for businesses that operate globally.
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