ISO/IEC 17020:2012, Conformity assessment — Requirements for the operation of bodies performing inspection, defines the criteria for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of inspection bodies. Since its publication, it has served as a cornerstone standard for inspection activities globally.
In 2022, CASCO conducted a ballot to determine whether a revision was necessary. The feedback indicated a clear need to align ISO/IEC 17020 with recently updated ISO/IEC 17000 series standards—such as ISO/IEC 17025—and to address a range of practical implementation challenges raised by stakeholders. As a result, a revision was approved to ensure the standard remains current, relevant, and reflective of evolving best practices and technological advancements.
Following this decision, Working Group 31 (WG 31) was tasked with leading the review and revision process. The standard has since undergone a comprehensive update, with key areas of focus including integration of ILAC P15 principles (where relevant), inclusion of changes that reflect clarification requests received through various CASCO communication channels, and a thorough review and refinement of impartiality and independence requirements.
Additional notable updates include revised and clarified terms and definitions, a simplified independence classification model that reduced the previous three types (Type A, B and C) to only two (Type A and non-Type A) consolidated under Section 5 and updates to key sections, including facilities and equipment, externally provided products and services, inspection processes, and the management system, to better reflect current expectations and best practices.
The revised standard is currently at the Draft International Standard (DIS) stage. The DIS ballot, which opened on 7 February 2025 and closed on 2 May 2025, resulted in approval of the draft, although a number of comments were received.
A small drafting group within WG 31 is now reviewing and addressing the submitted comments. These will be considered at the next working group meeting scheduled for September 2025 as part of the process toward finalising the standard.
The revised version of ISO/IEC 17020 is expected to be published by the end of 2025.
For additional information, please contact amir.murad@nata.com.au