Procedure for ISO 17021 Accreditation

• Certifiers (or Accreditation Bodies) should work in cognisance of ISO 17021.

• The license interaction assesses the documentation and the exercises of the candidate and uses a scoring convention to show up at a certification choice. Site visits and additionally video call-based evaluations by SDAB will be required.

• Candidates are expected to pay (i) an application charge and (ii) a yearly expense for each certificate they issue to their clients. Yearly, charges paid should rise to or surpass the yearly organization expense characterized to keep away from extra charges.

• All certificates should be enrolled at www.sanatanboards.com

Definite Method

1. Make a proper application for license. Candidates are supposed to be acquainted with this endlessly guide Skill Necessities.

2. The application structure will be looked into, and additional data might be mentioned. Once the application is acknowledged, a receipt for application organization charge and examiner reconnaissance day rate will be given.

3. The candidate certificate body is expected to agree with the necessities of ISO 17021 most recent version.

4. Proof of legitimate substance status should be given the application structure. This can be a connection to an internet based public or state register.

5. For existing Certifiers, other data (like minutes of unprejudiced nature council gatherings, names of unprejudiced nature council individuals, and inward review reports), ought to be given.

6. SDAB will send key records to the candidate that the candidate, if fruitful would have to follow. These are:

• Agreement and Update of understanding
• Agreements
• Governing set of rules
• Global Affiliations
• Authority
• Utilization of imprints
• Phrasing of authentications

7. The candidate ought to send faculty subtleties CVs/Profiles of staff engaged with the appraisal also, accreditation process.

8. The following stage is to present the complete bundle of ISO 17021 documentation for SDAB to lead a phase one Record Survey. This will also require the candidate finishing a Succeed based self-survey structure.

9. There might be a remedial activity cycle to get the documentation to a good state.

10. When fulfilled that the report audit meets our rules the candidate will be prepared to be without a doubt temporary license status by SDAB.

11. The candidate will be expected to print, sign, and seal the Agreement and Update of Grasping, examine it and shipping off SDAB. SDAB will send last Agreements and Memorandum of Understanding to the candidate. An example contract and MOU can be provided upon demand.

12. SDAB should give a temporary license declaration when fulfilled that the report structure is sufficient. The candidate is recorded on SDAB.

13. SDAB will give a license reference with the goal that the candidate might enlist certificates details of registrants and issue endorsements.

14. The candidate leads the main evaluation and certificate movement. The candidate sends SDAB filtered or electronic records of the multitude of reports connected with that evaluation and affirmation. These should be as per the records that SDAB had before investigated. (This cycle might have been directed before in the event that the candidate has been exchanging for quite a while).

15. The candidate directs a further four evaluations and send us duplicates of the desk work.

16. SDAB will lead site observer of the candidate’s action when is conceivable. The candidate is expected to pay SDAB day-rate, travel, and convenience costs. Where potential we will involve nearby SDAB agents for this reason. Candidates ought to observe that the site witness is certainly not a surefire finish of progress. Should tasks not meet the strategies accommodated the stage 1 Record Survey, then, at that point, full certify status will be denied. Along these lines, candidates are prompted not to make extreme or misdirecting claims.

17. The candidate license status will then become INTERMEDIATE or FULL. Candidate is recorded on SDAB site with admonition if fundamental. Certifiers are arranged.

18. The certifier proceeds to survey and issue authentications however doesn’t have to send desk work.

19. The candidate should exhort SDAB by all the accreditations that the certificate body has led at the time they are given to clients. Confirmation expenses are paid online at through the SDAB website.

20. SDAB will screen the level of the confirmation body movement and lead authorization audits as per risk factors, like level and geological reach of confirmation movement, past non-congruities, and so on.

Introduction and Scope

This document outlines the comprehensive procedure for the accreditation of Certification Bodies (CBs) seeking to demonstrate competence and impartiality in providing management system certification services, in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1 (hereafter referred to as ISO 17021).

The process is designed to be rigorous, transparent, and fair, ensuring that accredited CBs operate to the highest international standards, thereby instilling confidence in the certificates they issue. This procedure, as administered by an Accreditation Body (here exemplarily referred to as SDAB – Sanatan Development Accreditation Board), covers the entire lifecycle from initial application through to ongoing surveillance and re-accreditation. The objective is not merely to grant a status but to foster a partnership dedicated to upholding the integrity of the certification market.

Core Principles

Before detailing the steps, it is essential to establish the core principles underpinning this accreditation procedure:

1. Impartiality and Independence: The entire process, and the operations of the CB, must be free from commercial, financial, and other pressures that could compromise impartiality. The CB must demonstrate effective management of conflicts of interest.
2. Competence: The CB must possess and demonstrate the technical and sector-specific competence required to audit and certify its clients’ management systems effectively.
3. Consistency and Reliability: The accreditation process ensures that all accredited CBs operate to the same robust standard, providing reliable and comparable certification outcomes globally.
4. Transparency: The process, requirements, and status of CBs are clear and accessible. Key documents and accreditation scopes are made public to inform the market.
5. Continuous Improvement: Accreditation is not a one-time event. It involves ongoing monitoring and a commitment from the CB to continually improve its own management system and certification activities.

Detailed Step-by-Step Procedure

Phase 0: Pre-Application and Readiness

• Step 0.1: Familiarization: Potential applicants must thoroughly familiarize themselves with the requirements of ISO 17021 (latest version), relevant sector-specific application documents (e.g., for quality, environmental, or information security management systems), and this accreditation procedure. Self-assessment against these requirements is strongly advised.
• Step 0.2: Inquiry: Interested organizations may make informal inquiries to the Accreditation Body’s (AB) secretariat to clarify initial questions regarding process, timelines, and costs.

Phase 1: Application and Document Review

• Step 1.1: Formal Application Submission: The candidate CB submits a formal, completed application form provided by the AB (e.g., SDAB). This form will request foundational information about the organization, its legal status, intended certification scopes, organizational structure, and details of its top management and impartiality committee.
• Step 1.2: Payment of Application Fee: Along with the application, the candidate pays a non-refundable application fee, which covers the initial administrative costs of processing the application and the preliminary document review.
• Step 1.3: Review of Application and Request for Information (RFI): The AB reviews the submitted application form for completeness. An RFI may be issued to gather missing or clarifying information. Upon acceptance of the application for further processing, a formal offer or invoice detailing the costs for the Stage 1 documentation review and subsequent assessments is issued.
• Step 1.4: Submission of Mandatory Evidence: The candidate must provide:
  • Proof of Legal Entity Status: A certificate of incorporation, business registration, or a verifiable link to an official online state/ national register.
  • Key Management System Documentation: The complete set of the CB’s management system documentation, aligned with ISO 17021. This includes the quality manual, procedures, policy statements, and records templates.
  • Evidence of Impartiality Governance: For existing CBs, this includes minutes of the Impartiality Committee (or similar supervisory board) meetings, its charter, and the names and profiles of its members, demonstrating a balance of interests.
  • Personnel Competence Records: Curriculum Vitae (CVs), qualifications, training records, and audit logs for all personnel involved in the certification process (management, auditors, technical experts, certification decision-makers).
• Step 1.5: Stage 1 Documentation Review (Desktop Audit): AB assessors conduct a thorough remote review of all submitted documentation. The purpose is to determine if the documented management system conforms to the requirements of ISO 17021 and the AB’s rules. The candidate may also be required to complete a detailed self-assessment checklist (e.g., in Excel format) to facilitate this review.
• Step 1.6: Corrective Action and Follow-up (if needed): The AB issues a report identifying any nonconformities (major or minor) or opportunities for improvement from the Stage 1 review. The candidate CB must analyze the root cause of any nonconformity, implement corrective actions, and provide evidence of their effectiveness within a specified timeframe.
• Step 1.7: Provision of AB Governing Documents: Concurrently, the AB provides the candidate with the key contractual and normative documents they must adhere to upon accreditation. These typically include:
  • Accreditation Agreement (and Addendum).
  • Schedule of Fees.
  • Rules for the Use of Accreditation Marks and Symbols.
  • Requirements for Certificate Wording and Structure.
  • Code of Conduct for Accredited Bodies.
  • Appeals, Complaints, and Dispute Resolution Procedures.

Phase 2: Pre-Accreditation & Initial Certification Witnessing

• Step 2.1: Granting of “Provisional” or “Ready for Assessment” Status: Once the AB is satisfied that the documented system is adequate and any Stage 1 nonconformities are resolved, it grants the CB a “Provisional” status. This is not accreditation but indicates the CB is ready to proceed to the next stage involving witnessed audits. The CB is listed on the AB’s website with this provisional status.
• Step 2.2: Execution of Legal Agreements: The CB prints, signs, seals, and returns the scanned copies of the Accreditation Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding to the AB. Upon counter-signature, the contractual relationship is established.
• Step 2.3: Submission of “Initial Certification” Case Files: The CB must conduct a minimum number of complete certification audits (often 5 is a standard requirement) for real clients within its proposed scope. For each of these audits (from application review to certification decision and issue of certificate), the CB must submit the complete audit file (client application, audit plans, audit reports, nonconformity reports, corrective action evidence, certification review minutes, and the issued certificate) to the AB for review. This demonstrates the application of its documented procedures in practice.
• Step 2.4: Stage 2 On-Site Assessment (Witnessing of CB Activities): This is the core evaluation of the CB’s operational competence and effectiveness. AB assessors will:
  • Conduct an on-site visit to the CB’s head office (and possibly other locations) to audit its internal management processes, personnel management, complaint handling, and internal audit program.
  • Witness live audits: AB assessors will accompany the CB’s auditors on-site at a client’s organization (or observe remotely via video link for remote audit processes) to directly assess the competence, professionalism, and adherence to procedures of the audit team. Multiple witnesses across different audit stages (stage 1, stage 2, surveillance) and scopes are typically required.
  • Note on Costs: The CB is responsible for all costs associated with the Stage 2 assessment, including the AB assessors’ day-rate fees, all travel, accommodation, and subsistence expenses. The AB will endeavor to use locally-based assessors to minimize costs where possible.
• Step 2.5: Corrective Actions from Stage 2: The AB issues a comprehensive Stage 2 assessment report detailing findings. Any nonconformities must be addressed by the CB with robust corrective action evidence before accreditation can be granted. The CB is strongly advised not to make definitive promises to its own clients about its accreditation status until the AB’s final decision is communicated in writing.

Phase 3: Accreditation Decision and Granting

• Step 3.1: Evaluation by AB Decision-Making Committee: All assessment reports, corrective action evidence, and the CB’s overall profile are presented to an independent decision-making committee within the AB (often separate from the assessment team). This committee reviews the entire case to ensure impartiality, consistency, and that all requirements have been met.
• Step 3.2: Accreditation Decision: The committee makes the final decision to grant, deny, or defer accreditation. The decision is based solely on objective evidence of conformity.
• Step 3.3: Issuance of Accreditation Certificate: Upon a positive decision, the AB issues a formal Accreditation Certificate to the CB. This certificate lists the specific scopes (e.g., “ISO 9001:2015 for the manufacture of mechanical components”) for which the CB is accredited. The certificate has a defined validity period (e.g., 4 years).
• Step 3.4: Listing on Public Register: The CB’s name, accreditation number, and granted scopes are published on the AB’s official online register (e.g., www.sanatanboards.com). The status is updated from “Provisional” to “Accredited.” The AB also provides the CB with a unique license reference to use when registering certificates on this public database.
• Step 3.5: Certificate Registration Mandate: From the moment of accreditation, the CB is contractually obligated to register all certificates it issues under the accredited scope on the AB’s public register. This is a critical mechanism for transparency and allows end-users to verify the validity of a certificate.

Phase 4: Surveillance and Ongoing Compliance

• Step 4.1: Annual Surveillance Assessments: To ensure continued compliance, the AB conducts periodic surveillance assessments. These are typically annual but can be more frequent based on a risk analysis. Surveillance includes:
  • A review of the CB’s internal management system changes and performance.
  • A review of a sample of the CB’s recent certification files.
  • Continuing witness audits of the CB’s auditors in the field.
  • Review of complaints and appeals handled by the CB.
• Step 4.2: Payment of Annual Fees: The CB must pay an annual accreditation fee. This fee is structured to cover the AB’s costs of maintaining the accreditation system, including surveillance. The fee is also linked to the volume of certificates issued (annual organization fee), ensuring the CB’s contribution is proportional to its scale of activity.
• Step 4.3: Notification of Certification Activities: The CB must periodically (often quarterly or in real-time via the database) inform the AB of all certifications completed, suspended, withdrawn, or extended. This maintains the accuracy of the public register.
• Step 4.4: Management of Changes: The CB must notify the AB, and often seek prior approval, for significant changes such as:
  • Changes to legal, commercial, or organizational status.
  • Changes to top management, key personnel, or the Impartiality Committee.
  • Extensions to its accredited scope (which require a separate assessment).
  • Major changes to its management system.
• Step 4.5: Special Inspections and Unannounced Visits: The AB reserves the right to conduct unannounced visits or special inspections if there is evidence of serious nonconformity, a high volume of complaints, or other risk factors.

Phase 5: Re-accreditation

• Prior to the expiry of the accreditation certificate (e.g., at the 4-year mark), the CB must undergo a full re-accreditation assessment. This process mirrors the initial accreditation process in depth and rigor (including Stage 1 and Stage 2 elements) to ensure the CB’s systems and competence remain fully compliant. A successful re-assessment results in the issuance of a new accreditation certificate.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Governance

• The Accreditation Body (AB): Responsible for developing and maintaining the accreditation criteria, conducting competent and impartial assessments, making accreditation decisions, maintaining the public register, and taking disciplinary action against non-compliant CBs. It must itself operate according to ISO/IEC 17011.
• The Certification Body (CB): Responsible for implementing and maintaining a management system compliant with ISO 17021, applying for accreditation, providing all necessary information and access, paying fees promptly, operating with integrity and competence, registering certificates, and informing the AB of all relevant changes.
• Impartiality Committee (within the CB): A governance body, independent of the CB’s operational management, that oversees matters affecting impartiality, including the review of audit and certification processes, policies, and handling of complaints.

Conclusion

Accreditation to ISO 17021 is a demanding yet invaluable process that serves as the bedrock of trust in management system certification. It provides a clear, multi-phase roadmap for Certification Bodies to achieve and demonstrate excellence. For the market—clients, regulators, and specifiers—it provides an assurance that an accredited CB operates to internationally recognized standards of competence, consistency, and impartiality. This detailed procedure, encompassing application, rigorous assessment, decision-making, and ongoing surveillance, ensures that the value of the accredited certificate is protected and enhanced for all stakeholders.

Branches

SDAB Accreditation

SDAB Head Office

SDAB Sanatan Dharma Accreditation Board
SDAB House
C/O Mr.Garry 54, Glengarnock Avenue,
E-14 3BP Isle Of Dogs, London UK
Tel .: +44-8369083940
email: info@sanatanboards.com
Website: www.sanatanboards.com

MUMBAI Head Office

Sanatan Dharma Accreditation Board (SDAB)
SDAB House
B-401, New Om Kaveri Chs. Ltd., Nagindas pada,
Next To Shiv Sena Office, Nallasopara (E)
Tel .: +91-7499991895
email: info@sanatanboards.com
Website: www.sanatanboards.com

DELHI-NCR Regd. Office

Sanatan Dharma Accreditation Board (SDAB)
SDAB House
Asaoti, Dist Palwal
Faridabad Delhi NCR, Haryana
Tel .: +91-7979801035
Fax: +91-250 2341170
Website: www.sanatanboards.com