Impartiality and Independence in ISO/IEC 17020:2012

Introduction

Impartiality is the cornerstone of inspection. Clients rely on inspection bodies to provide objective, unbiased judgments. ISO/IEC 17020:2012 places heavy emphasis on this, requiring inspection bodies to identify and manage risks to their impartiality.

What is Impartiality?

Impartiality means the presence of objectivity. It implies that conflicts of interest do not exist, or are resolved so as not to adversely influence the activities of the inspection body.

Independence Categories (Annex A)

The standard categorizes inspection bodies into three types based on their relationship with the items they inspect.

Type A Inspection Body

• Definition: Fully independent “third party.”
• Requirements:
  • Must not be the designer, manufacturer, supplier, installer, purchaser, owner, user, or maintainer of the items inspected.
  • Must not be part of a legal entity that engages in those activities.
  • Must not be linked to parties engaged in those activities (e.g., common ownership).

Type B Inspection Body

• Definition: A separate and identifiable part of an organization that is involved in the design, manufacture, supply, installation, use, or maintenance of the items inspected.
• Requirements:
  • Supplies inspection services only to its parent organization.
  • A clear separation of responsibilities must exist between inspection personnel and those performing other functions.

Type C Inspection Body

• Definition: An identifiable part of an organization that is involved in the design, manufacture, supply, installation, use, or maintenance of the items inspected.
• Requirements:
  • Can supply inspection services to its parent organization and/or other parties.
  • Safeguards within the organization must ensure adequate segregation of responsibilities.

Managing Risks to Impartiality (Clause 4.1)

The inspection body must:

1. Identify Risks: Continuously identify risks arising from its activities, relationships, or the relationships of its personnel.
2. Eliminate or Minimize: If a risk is identified, the body must demonstrate how it eliminates or minimizes it.
3. Commitment: Top management must be committed to impartiality.

Practical Steps

• Risk Assessment: Conduct a formal risk assessment for impartiality.
• Conflict of Interest Declarations: Have all staff sign annual declarations.
• Code of Ethics: Establish a code of conduct.
• Review: Regularly review relationships with clients, suppliers, and related companies.