Which standards do apply to an inspection company?

source:KF Quality    author:KFQ    2020-12-28 22:06:50

ISO/IEC 17020:2012 specifies requirements for the competence of bodies performing inspection and for the impartiality and consistency of their inspection activities. It applies to inspection bodies of type A, B or C, as defined in ISO/IEC 17020:2012, and it applies to any stage of inspection.

ISO 9001:2015 specifies requirements for a quality management system when an organization:

a) needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, and

b) aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

All the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 are generic and are intended to be applicable to any organization, regardless of its type or size, or the products and services it provides.

So, both standards are applicable without any conflicts.

In the process approach section of ISO9001:2015 standard, a new concept “Risk-based thinking” is introduced, actually it has been implicit in previous editions, for example, carrying out preventive action to eliminate potential nonconformities, analyzing any nonconformities that do occur, and taking action to prevent recurrence that is appropriate for the effects of the nonconformity. To conform to this requirement, an organization needs to plan and implement actions to address risks and opportunities establishes a basis for increasing the effectiveness of the Quality Management System, achieving improved results and preventing negative effects.

For each service order, the inspection company shall review client’s requirements and specifications to ensure its capability and competence are capable, and identify the risks, e.g., which inspector will be allocated, what measures shall be taken in advance to avoid potential mistakes, and any necessity of special follow-ups or monitoring during the inspection.

Opportunities can arise as a result of a situation favorable to achieving an intended result, for example, a set of circumstances that allow the inspection companies to attract customers, develop new services or improve productivity. Actions to address opportunities can also include consideration of associated risks. Risk is the effect of uncertainty and any such uncertainty can have positive or negative effects. A positive deviation arising from a risk can provide an opportunity, but not all positive effects of risk result in opportunities.

For Risks and Opportunities, I do not recommend “Compromise”, however adequate analysis and sufficient precautions shall be made.

From kfquality.com