Overview
EN ISO/IEC 17000:2020 (ISO/IEC 17000:2020, Corrected version 2020-12) is the international vocabulary and general-principles standard for conformity assessment. Published by CEN/ISO/IEC, it replaces the 2004 edition and defines core terms, the functional approach to conformity assessment (Annex A), and how conformity assessment supports trade. The document clarifies language used across testing, inspection, accreditation and certification activities and notes interactions with management systems, metrology, standardization and statistics.
Key topics and requirements
- Vocabulary and definitions: Clauses 3–9 provide standardized terms related to conformity assessment in general, basic concepts, selection/determination, review/decision/attestation, surveillance, and trade/regulation.
- Functional approach: Annex A describes conformity assessment as a set of functions (selection, determination, review, decision, attestation, surveillance) rather than prescribing organizational models.
- Core activities defined: Terms include testing, inspection, validation, verification, certification and accreditation-helping ensure consistent usage across standards and contracts.
- New and revised terms (2020): additions such as object of conformity assessment, impartiality, independence, validation, verification, decision, expiry, and restoration.
- Scope boundaries: The standard specifies that conformity assessment interacts with related fields but does not rigidly define their boundaries.
- Trade facilitation: Clause 9 addresses terms used in regulatory and trade contexts to support harmonization and mutual recognition.
Practical applications
- Harmonizing terminology in standards development, accreditation rules and conformity assessment procedures.
- Supporting accreditation bodies, conformity assessment bodies (CABs), laboratories, inspection bodies and certification bodies by providing consistent definitions used in audits, reports and contractual documents.
- Assisting regulators and policymakers to align regulatory language and facilitate international trade and mutual recognition agreements.
- Guiding procurement teams, legal departments and supply-chain managers when specifying conformity assessment requirements in contracts and tenders.
- Training and capacity-building: used as a baseline glossary for training auditors, assessors and technical personnel.
Who uses this standard
- Accreditation bodies and conformity assessment bodies (testing, inspection, certification)
- Standards developers and technical committees
- Regulators and trade policy makers
- Laboratories, manufacturers, suppliers and purchasers
- Consultants, auditors and legal/procurement teams involved in conformity assessment
Related standards
- ISO/IEC standards for specific activities (e.g., accreditation, product certification, personnel certification) reference and build on the vocabulary in ISO/IEC 17000; Annex B lists related terms defined in other standards.
Keywords: EN ISO/IEC 17000:2020, ISO/IEC 17000:2020, conformity assessment, vocabulary, functional approach, accreditation, certification, testing, inspection, trade facilitation.
