As defined by ISO, an inspection involves examining a product, process, service, or installation, or their design, and determining if it is in compliance with specific requirements or, based on professional judgment, general requirements (ISO/IEC 17000 definition). These inspections are carried out by inspection bodies on behalf of the following:
- Clients in the private sector
- Organizations that are their parents, or
- Regulatory authorities, among others.
An inspection aims to provide the client with information about the conformity of the inspected items with specifications, which may be contained in regulations, standards, inspection schemes, or contracts. Clients can use inspections to determine whether their products or systems meet quality, safety, and fitness for purpose standards.
Inspection body accreditation (ISO/IEC 17020)
UAS provides ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation for organizations undertaking inspection, surveys and risk assessments across a range of activities. These include Engineering Inspection such as Pressure Systems, lifting equipment/Hoists, electrical installations, power presses, local exhaust ventilation, goods inspection prior to shipping, manufacture of boilers/pressure vessels, welding inspections, oil and gas metering in addition to Building and Construction Products. The same accreditation covers Food Inspection to ensure food safety and hygiene at each stage of manufacturing or processing. It also allows for animal welfare consideration in labelling products. Other services UAS can fulfil are Asbestos Surveys, Legionella Risk Assessments, Health and Social Care Care Home Inspection, Nuclear New Build Inspection, Fire Protection Systems Crime Scene Examination Railway Competence Plant Health Environmental Technology Verification. For all these types of inspections to be eligible for accreditation from UAS they should adhere to the requirements dictated by ISO/IEC 17020 Conformity assessment—Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing an inspection.
Documents for Accreditation
If you are interested in applying for UAS Accreditation for your Inspection Body in accordance with ISO 17020, please send an email to info@uasaccreditation.org to request the necessary documents for Accreditation.
- Accreditation Application for Inspection Body
- Requirements for Accreditation
- Conditions for the Use of UAS Accreditation Symbol
- Fees Associated with Accreditation
- Inspection Bodies’ Accreditation Requirements