Laboratory Excellence and AccreditationISO/IEC 17020 and Inspection Body Accreditation
Inspection bodies are accredited against a different standard from laboratories, and the differences matter most in independence and in the judgement an inspector is permitted to exercise. This course covers ISO/IEC 17020 in full. Delegates work through the types of inspection body and the independence requirements attaching to each, competence and authorisation of inspectors, inspection methods and procedures, and the reporting and certificate requirements. Impartiality is treated as the structural issue it is for a body inspecting work its parent organisation performed. The course closes on preparing for assessment and on the findings that most commonly arise.
Course objectives
- Distinguish the types of inspection body and their independence requirements
- Apply the impartiality requirements to a real organisational structure
- Establish competence criteria and authorisation for inspectors
- Document inspection methods and procedures to the standard
- Meet the reporting and inspection certificate requirements
- Operate a management system that satisfies the standard
- Prepare for assessment and anticipate common findings
Who should attend
- Inspection body managers and quality managers
- Inspectors and technical authorisers
- Organisations seeking ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation
- Internal auditors of inspection bodies
- Accreditation body assessors
Course outline
- 01Inspection against testing, and why the standard differs
- 02Types of inspection body and independence
- 03Impartiality within a group structure
- 04Inspector competence and authorisation
- 05Inspection methods and procedures
- 06Reporting and inspection certificates
- 07Management system requirements
- 08Assessment preparation and common findings
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 to 21 October 2026 | Maputo, Mozambique | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 16 to 18 November 2026 | Online | Online | R6,500 per delegate | Register Now |
| 18 to 20 January 2027 | Kigali, Rwanda | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |