ISOIEC 17024: Conformity assessment - General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons is an ISO/IEC standard which specifies criteria for the operation of a personnel certification body (also known as a 'certification body for persons'). The standard includes requirements for the development and maintenance of the certification scheme for persons upon which the certification is based.
The major changes between the 2003 version and the 2012 version are within the detailed information regarding the development of the scheme for certification of persons. The 2003 version required the certification body to have a scheme committee that had overall responsibility for the development of the scheme, but it did not elaborate on the components that must be included in the scheme. The 2012 version has an entire clause (clause 8) that provides detailed information regarding the components that must be included in the development and maintenance of the scheme but allows the scheme owner to be outside of the certification body.
Other changes include a change in reference of "personnel certification body" to "certification body for persons", defining of additional terms such as "validity" and "reliability", and the addition of a "principles" section that defines the foundational principles for the standard.[3]
This section describes the general requirements for certification bodies. General requirements include criteria for the legal status of the certification body (the certification body must be a legal entity), criteria associated with the financial resources and liability responsibilities of the certification body (the certification body must have sufficient finances to cover its liabilities and for the operation of the entity), requirements regarding the impartiality and impartial operation of the certification body, and requirements that the certification body maintains responsibility for the decision on certification (the decision to award certification to a person cannot be outsourced to any other body).
This section describes the structural requirements for certification bodies. Structural requirements contain criteria for the organizational structure of the Certification Body for Persons including how it is managed. Specific requirements relating to the structure of the certification body in relation to training is included in this section. Specifically, if the certification body also offers training it must demonstrate how the impartiality of the certification is not compromised by the training.
This section describes the resource requirements for certification bodies. Resource requirements include criteria for the personnel and staff of the certification body. Specific requirements for persons (both internal to the organization and external to the organization such as consultants and volunteers) involved in certification activities are included as are criteria associated with outsourcing to other bodies. This section also includes requirements for other resources such as examination equipment required to operate the certification activities.
This section describes the records and information requirements for certification bodies. The requirements include criteria relating to the records of applicants, candidates and certified persons. Requirements regarding information that must be made public as well as information that must be kept confidential are included in this section and criteria for the information security (exam papers, etc.) are described.
This section includes requirements for the development and maintenance of the certification scheme. The certification scheme is the competence and other requirements for awarding the certification to a person and includes a scope of certification, job and task description, required competence, abilities (when applicable), prerequisites (when applicable), and a code of conduct (when applicable). Criteria for the initial certification and recertification must be part of the scheme and includes description of the assessment methods, and the criteria for suspending and withdrawing the certification.
This section includes requirements for the certification process including criteria for the certification application process, assessment process, examination process, and the decision on certification. Criteria for suspending, withdrawing or reducing the scope of certification and recertification requirements are included in this section. This section also includes requirements for the use of certificates, logos and marks, and requirements associated with appeals and complaints.
This section requires the certification body to establish, document, implement and maintain a management system capable of supporting the requirements of the standard. A body that has established and maintains a management system in accordance with ISO 9001 and that is capable of supporting the management system requirements of ISO/IEC 17024.
ISO/IEC 17024:2012 contains principles and requirements for a body certifying persons against specific requirements, and includes the development and maintenance of a certification scheme for persons.
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ISO/IEC 17024 is a global standard that sets out the requirements for the competence of personnel certification bodies and the certification of individuals. Achieving ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation demonstrates that a certification body meets internationally recognized standards for personnel certification, which can help increase its global recognition and provide added value to both businesses and consumers.
Through the partnership between the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.) and the International Accreditation Service (IAS), certification programs have the opportunity to add ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation to their NCCA-accredited programs. This dual accreditation leverages the strengths of both sets of standards and builds on the recognition and prestige of the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO's) broader portfolio of standards.
Dual accreditation demonstrates additional commitment to meeting best practices and credentialing standards, which can help increase confidence in the certification program and the certification body. Achieving ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation through the partnership between I.C.E. and IAS can provide added value to the certification program, the certification body, and its stakeholders, including businesses and consumers, by demonstrating a commitment to meeting globally recognized best practices and standards for personnel certification.
Receiving ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation through the partnership between I.C.E. and IAS can also help reduce costs for the applying organization. This includes efficiencies created from the large overlap in the requirements for both standards, use of an online application, time saved in the preparation of materials, as well as overall costs to maintain accreditation.
I.C.E.'s online accreditation portal is designed to automatically transfer details from the NCCA application that fully or partially satisfy the requirements of ISO/IEC 17024 standard. Enter the online portal and add the ISO/IEC 17024 application. I.C.E. will assist in starting, then mapping your NCCA application responses into the ISO/IEC 17024 application.
You can pursue accreditation under NCCA and ISO/IEC 17024 at the same time. NCCA accreditation must be achieved first, and accreditation under NCCA and ISO/IEC 17024 will not be granted until the full process is completed. Accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17024 can also be suspended or put on hold at any time if you choose to pursue only NCCA. Enter the online portal and add the ISO/IEC 17024 application. After your NCCA application is approved, I.C.E. will assist in mapping your NCCA application responses into the ISO/IEC 17024 application.
The ISO/IEC 17024 standard was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which represents members from 162 countries. During recent years, the standard has fundamentally altered the delivery of certifications. It has also created a strong drive to globalize personnel certification. ISO developed the standard based on the need for public protection by establishing that individuals have the required competency to perform their jobs.
Several government agencies worldwide have recognized the standard as a critical requirement for personnel certification bodies offering certification in areas related to public health, the environment, and national security. More than 40 agencies worldwide accredit personnel certification bodies based on ISO/IEC 17024. Most of them are government or government-approved.
Use of a common international standard recognized by government agencies, trade associations, industry partners, and professional associations provides a unique opportunity to globalize the certification of persons. The manufacturing and technology innovations in the 1950s were based on the quality movement. The globalization of persons in the 21st Century has to be similarly grounded in a quality certification standard.
Competencies are the foundational building blocks in creating a certification program. They need to be developed in a systematic manner using an empirically derived process such as job/practice analysis. The process should involve the key stakeholders and subject matter experts. Competencies denote the knowledge, skills, and abilities that an individual needs to perform the tasks.
To be market relevant, the certification should be developed with the involvement of all key stakeholder groups. High-quality certification requires inputs from business, industry, employers, educators, students, regulators, and consumers.
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