What is ISO-IEC 17029:2021?

ISO-IEC 17029:2021 is a technical standard that sets the guidelines for the conformity assessment of bodies performing validation and verification activities. It provides requirements and recommendations to ensure competence, impartiality, transparency, and consistency in these activities.

Understanding Conformity Assessment

Conformity assessment plays a crucial role in ensuring that products, services, and systems meet specified requirements. It involves evaluating their compliance with relevant standards, regulations, or specifications. The purpose is to instill trust and confidence in consumers, businesses, regulators, and other stakeholders.

Key Focus Areas of ISO-IEC 17029:2021

ISO-IEC 17029:2021 emphasizes several key areas to enhance the effectiveness and reliability of validation and verification activities:

Evaluation of competence: The standard requires that bodies performing these activities have the necessary expertise, qualifications, and resources. This ensures the delivery of accurate and reliable results.

Impartiality and independence: To maintain objectivity and avoid conflicts of interest, the standard emphasizes that these bodies should be free from any undue influence or pressure. They must operate independently and impartially.

Transparency and confidentiality: ISO-IEC 17029:2021 emphasizes the importance of transparency in the validation and verification process. It also highlights the need to protect confidential information obtained during these activities.

Consistency and comparability: The standard aims to establish consistent approaches and methodologies to achieve comparable results across different bodies. This facilitates the acceptance of validation and verification outcomes internationally.

The Benefits of ISO-IEC 17029:2021 Compliance

Compliance with ISO-IEC 17029:2021 brings several benefits to both the bodies performing validation and verification activities and their stakeholders:

Improved credibility: By adhering to this standard, these bodies demonstrate their commitment to quality, competence, and reliability. This enhances their reputation and instills confidence in their customers and partners.

Enhanced market access: Compliance with ISO-IEC 17029:2021 enables these bodies to participate in national and international markets more easily. It ensures that their validation and verification activities are recognized and accepted globally.

Reduced risks: Following the guidelines of this standard minimizes the risks of delivering inaccurate or inconsistent results. It improves the reliability of product, service, and system evaluations, thereby reducing potential negative impacts on safety, health, environment, and economy.