ISO/IEC 17021-1
Management Systems Certification Bodies
For bodies that audit and certify quality, environmental, information security and other management systems.
Learn more
Competence • Impartiality • Confidence
Building Confidence Through Trusted Accreditation
CSEAB accredits conformity assessment bodies against ISO/IEC standards, giving regulators, buyers and the public an independent basis for relying on certificates, inspection reports and test results.
Assessment Frameworks
- ISO/IEC 17021-1
- ISO/IEC 17020
- ISO/IEC 17024
- ISO/IEC 17025
- ISO/IEC 17065
- ISO/IEC 17029
Competence
Assessments examine technical capability, not paperwork alone.
Impartiality
Decisions are separated from assessment and free from commercial pressure.
Transparency
Rules, processes and accreditation status are open to scrutiny.
Consistency
The same criteria are applied to every applicant and every assessment.
Accreditation Programs
View all programsAccreditation for every type of conformity assessment body
Each program is assessed against the international standard that defines competent, impartial and consistent operation for that activity.
ISO/IEC 17020
Inspection Bodies
For organisations that examine products, installations, processes or services and determine their conformity.
Learn moreISO/IEC 17024
Personnel Certification Bodies
For bodies that certify the competence of individuals through structured, impartial examination.
Learn moreISO/IEC 17025
Testing & Calibration Laboratories
For laboratories whose test and calibration results must be technically valid and traceable.
Learn moreISO/IEC 17065
Product Certification Bodies
For bodies that certify that products, processes or services meet specified requirements.
Learn moreISO/IEC 17029
Validation & Verification Bodies
For bodies that validate or verify claims, such as environmental and greenhouse gas statements.
Learn moreProgram availability and the scope that can be offered are confirmed during the review of each application request.
Our roleIndependent evaluation of conformity assessment bodies
About CSEAB
An accreditation body built around evidence, not assumptions
Certificates, inspection reports and laboratory results are only as reliable as the organisations that issue them.
CSEAB examines how those organisations work: the competence of their people, the soundness of their methods, the safeguards that protect their impartiality and the records that show their decisions are consistent. Accreditation is granted only where that evidence meets the requirements of the relevant ISO/IEC standard, and it is maintained through ongoing surveillance.
- Competence-based evaluation
- Separation of assessment and decision
- Documented, published rules
- Ongoing surveillance
The Accreditation System
Independent, impartial and transparent accreditation
Accreditation is the formal recognition that a conformity assessment body is competent to carry out specific tasks. It sits at the top of the quality infrastructure, providing confidence in everything that is certified, inspected or tested beneath it.
01 — DEFINITION
What is accreditation?
An independent evaluation of a conformity assessment body against recognised standards, confirming its competence, impartiality and consistent operation for a defined scope of activities.
02 — PURPOSE
Why it matters
It gives buyers, regulators and the public a reasoned basis for accepting a certificate or result without repeating the work, reducing duplicated testing and supporting trade.
03 — BENEFITS
Who benefits
- CABsDemonstrated competence
- BusinessesReliable suppliers
- RegulatorsEvidence for decisions
- ConsumersSafer products and services
Accreditation Process
Process detailsA structured path from application to accreditation
Every applicant follows the same documented sequence, so outcomes depend on evidence rather than on who is applying.
Application
The applicant submits an application request with its organisation details and the scope it is seeking.
Application Review
CSEAB confirms that the request is complete and that it has the competence to assess the requested scope.
Document Review
The management system and procedures are reviewed against the applicable standard.
Assessment
Assessors evaluate activities on site or remotely, including witnessing work where required.
Corrective Actions
Any nonconformities are addressed with evidence of cause analysis and effective correction.
Accreditation Decision
Persons not involved in the assessment review the evidence and make the decision.
Certificate & Scope
The accreditation certificate and defined scope are issued and listed in the directory.
Surveillance
Periodic surveillance confirms that the requirements continue to be met.
Reassessment
A full reassessment is carried out before the accreditation cycle ends.
Why CSEAB
Rigour that stands up to scrutiny
Accreditation only adds value when the people relying on it can trust how it was granted.
Independent Assessment
Assessors are selected so that they have no current or recent links with the body being assessed.
Competence-Based Evaluation
Evaluation focuses on whether work is performed correctly, including witnessing activities where relevant.
Impartial Decision Making
Accreditation decisions are taken by people who did not carry out the assessment.
Transparent Processes
Rules, obligations and the status of accredited bodies are documented and available.
Qualified Assessors
Assessors and technical experts are evaluated for knowledge of the standard and the technical field.
Standards-Based Accreditation
Requirements come from published ISO/IEC standards rather than from internal preference.
Standards & Frameworks
The international standards behind each program
CSEAB programs assess conformity assessment bodies against the ISO/IEC 17000 series of standards.
ISO/IEC 17021-1Management system certification
ISO/IEC 17020Inspection
ISO/IEC 17024Certification of persons
ISO/IEC 17025Testing & calibration
ISO/IEC 17065Product certification
ISO/IEC 17029Validation & verification
Standards are referenced as assessment criteria. Their listing does not imply membership of, or endorsement by, ISO, IEC or any other organisation.
Publications
View DocumentsRules and documents, openly available
Controlled CSEAB documents are published with their document number, revision and effective date.
Application Forms
Forms used to request accreditation and provide applicant information.
Policies
Policies on impartiality, confidentiality, use of the CSEAB mark and more.
Procedures
How assessments, decisions, complaints and appeals are handled.
Accreditation Criteria
Requirements and guidance applied to each accreditation program.
Fee Information
The basis on which accreditation fees are calculated.
Notices
Updates on rules, transitions and changes affecting accredited bodies.
News & Notices
All noticesLatest from CSEAB
Online application requests now open
Conformity assessment bodies interested in accreditation can submit an application request through the Apply for Accreditation page. CSEAB will review each request, confirm the…
Read noticeCSEAB launches its new website
The new CSEAB website brings together information on accreditation programs, the accreditation process, the directory of accredited bodies and CSEAB publications in one place.…
Read noticeVerify Before You Rely
Check whether a certificate is backed by CSEAB accreditation
Search the directory by organisation name or accreditation number to confirm current status and scope.
Contact CSEAB
How can we help?
Send your enquiry using the form and the appropriate CSEAB team will respond by email.
General & accreditation enquiries
Questions about programs, the process or an existing application.
Verify an accreditation
Search the CSEAB Directory or ask us to confirm a certificate.
Complaints, appeals & misuse
Select the relevant enquiry type in the form. Every report is recorded and reviewed.