ISO/IEC 17020:2012
Conformity assessment — Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection

What is ISO/IEC 17020?
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 is the international standard that specifies the requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of inspection bodies. It provides a structured framework for organizations conducting inspections to demonstrate technical capability, control impartiality risks, and deliver reliable, traceable outcomes.
Why ISO/IEC 17020 is Essential
Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17020 establishes trust and ensures your inspection body meets internationally accepted conformity assessment criteria.
Looking to align your inspection system with ISO/IEC 17020?
Key Benefits:
- Demonstrates impartiality and competence
- Builds trust with clients and regulators
- Supports third-party inspection recognition
- Ensures legal and contractual compliance
- Opens access to regulated global markets
Who Needs ISO/IEC 17020?
ISO/IEC 17020 applies to all types of inspection bodies performing first-, second-, or third-party inspections, including:
- Industrial and manufacturing inspection agencies
- Construction and infrastructure inspection units
- In-house inspection departments (Type B)
- Security, fire safety, and health & safety assessors
- Security, fire safety, and health & safety assessors
Whether you are Type A (independent), Type B (internal), or Type C (combined service providers), ISO/IEC 17020 ensures your practices align with global conformity assessment frameworks.

Accreditation Support for Inspection Bodies
Demonstrate technical competence, impartiality, and operational reliability with ITIC Global’s expert-led support—designed for Type A, B, and C inspection bodies worldwide.
Services We Offer:
Make your inspection body globally recognized with our expert-led training, audits, documents, and consultancy. Accreditation support for third-party, in-house, and government inspection bodies.
Build audit-ready competence with ISO/IEC 17020 training tailored for inspection bodies.
- Awareness to Lead Auditor courses tailored for ISO/IEC 17020 compliance.
- Focused on building inspection body competence and auditor skills.
- Covers internal audit techniques aligned with ISO 19011.
- Clause-wise implementation guidance with practical tools and templates.
- Designed for technical managers, quality staff, and inspection teams.
- Supports readiness for accreditation and ongoing conformity.
Get fully editable ISO/IEC 17020 documentation—ready to implement and mapped clause-by-clause.
- Editable templates aligned with ISO/IEC 17020:2012 clause-by-clause.
- Includes SOPs, policies, checklists, forms, and technical records.
- Standardizes processes—from inspector qualification to reporting.
- Reduces audit prep time and ensures clause-wise compliance.
- Designed to meet accreditation body expectations and reduce non-conformities.
- Ideal for new inspection bodies or those upgrading existing systems.
Professional ISO/IEC 17020 internal audits to identify gaps and strengthen accreditation readiness.
- Internal audits conducted by qualified ISO/IEC 17020 auditors.
- Covers all technical and management system requirements.
- Includes detailed audit report with nonconformity classification.
- Provides corrective action guidance aligned with accreditation needs.
- Ideal for pre-assessment, surveillance prep, or annual internal audit compliance.
End-to-end ISO/IEC 17020 consultancy to guide your inspection body to successful accreditation.
- End-to-end support from gap analysis to accreditation readiness.
- Guidance on implementing ISO/IEC 17020 clause-wise requirements.
- Development of procedures, records, and impartiality framework.
- Includes internal audit planning and management review setup.
- Ideal for new inspection bodies or those seeking scope expansion or reaccreditation.
Training Programs ISO/IEC 17020:2012
All trainings include a digital certificate and can be accessed via web or mobile.
Awareness Training
Understand ISO/IEC 17020 requirements, structure, and scope through our self-paced training—ideal for new inspection personnel.

Internal Auditor Training
Gain the skills to conduct ISO/IEC 17020 internal audits with confidence and meet accreditation requirements.

Lead Auditor Training
Learn to lead ISO/IEC 17020 audits effectively, from planning to reporting, with certification aligned to global auditor expectations.


ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Document Templates
Our document templates is designed to meet accreditation body expectations and simplify your compliance process—whether you are starting fresh or strengthening existing systems.
What’s Included:
- Manual mapped to ISO/IEC 17020:2012 clause-by-clause
- Standard Operating Procedures, forms, and inspection checklists
- Risk assessment, impartiality matrix, and organizational charts
- Fully editable Word format for easy customization
- Instant sample document download for preview

“find it marketing in Use! Privacy friendly Always facts. Unlimited access.”
Mikado sinson
ISO/IEC 17020 Consultancy
Achieve and maintain ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation with expert guidance tailored to your inspection body’s needs. We support the full compliance journey—from system design to successful external assessment.
Step 1-Gap Analysis
Evaluate current operations against ISO/IEC 17020 requirements
Step 2-Planning and Strategy
Define roadmap, responsibilities, and documentation needs
Step 3-System Implementation
Develop and apply compliant procedures and controls
Step 4-Internal Audit & MRM
Conduct audits and management review with findings support
Step 5-Support Accreditation
Prepare for final assessment, address Non Conformities if any
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Audit as a Service
Our audit services help identify gaps, validate implementation, and support corrective actions—ensuring you meet conformity assessment requirements with confidence.
What’s Included:
- Full internal audit aligned with ISO/IEC 17020:2012
- Remote or on-site execution based on your preference
- Competent, impartial auditors with technical expertise
- Detailed audit report with nonconformity classification
- Guidance on root cause analysis and corrective action tracking
Our Team Will Respond
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does ISO/IEC 17020 implementation take?
3 to 6 months depending on your current documentation and operational maturity.
Can we use our own formats?
Yes—our team helps align existing practices with ISO expectations, without forcing a total overhaul.
Do you assist during external audits?
We provide pre-audit checks, documentation reviews, and consultant presence if needed.
What’s the difference between Type A, B, and C bodies?
We offer a simple breakdown during onboarding, so your system matches your inspection model for a third-party (Type A), in-house (Type B), or combined-service (Type C) inspection body.