Overview
ISO/IEC 17000:2020 - Conformity assessment - Vocabulary and general principles is the ISO/IEC CASCO vocabulary for conformity assessment. This second edition defines core terms and definitions used across conformity assessment activities (testing, inspection, validation, verification, certification and accreditation) and describes the functional approach and general principles (Annex A). The standard supports consistent language for accreditation bodies, conformity assessment bodies, regulators and stakeholders involved in trade facilitation.
Key Topics
The standard organizes terminology and principles into clear topics:
- Scope and purpose: vocabulary for conformity assessment and its use to facilitate trade.
- General terms (Clauses 4–9): definitions such as conformity assessment, object of conformity assessment, first/second/third‑party activities, conformity assessment body, accreditation body, scheme, system, owner, participant.
- Basic concepts: specified requirement, procedure, impartiality, independence - foundational concepts for trust and credibility.
- Selection and determination: terms for sampling, testing, validation, verification and related activities.
- Review, decision and attestation: terminology covering decisions, certification, accreditation and attestation processes.
- Surveillance and scheme lifecycle: terms for surveillance, expiry and restoration of attestation.
- Trade and regulation: standardized terms to support regulatory frameworks and international trade.
- Annexes: Annex A explains the functional approach; Annex B lists related terms defined in other standards.
Applications
ISO/IEC 17000:2020 is practical for:
- Standardizing terminology in accreditation, certification, testing and inspection programs.
- Ensuring clear communication between conformity assessment bodies, accreditation bodies, regulators, suppliers and purchasers.
- Supporting regulators and policy makers in drafting legislation and technical regulations that rely on conformity assessment.
- Facilitating international trade by aligning definitions used in contracts, procurement and mutual recognition arrangements.
- Integrating conformity assessment vocabulary with management systems, metrology, standardization and statistics.
Who should use it
- Conformity assessment bodies (laboratories, inspection bodies, certification bodies)
- Accreditation bodies and scheme owners
- Regulators, procurement agencies and trade facilitators
- Standards writers, auditors and consultants
Related standards
ISO/IEC 17000:2020 complements other conformity assessment standards and references terms defined elsewhere (see Annex B). It provides the consistent vocabulary and general principles needed when implementing or referencing specific conformity assessment standards and accreditation schemes.
