Overview
SIST EN ISO/IEC 17067:2013 is an internationally recognized standard that lays out the essential principles for product certification and provides comprehensive guidelines for the development, operation, and maintenance of product certification schemes. Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and adopted as a Slovenian standard by SIST, this document targets all stakeholders interested in product certification-especially scheme owners, certification bodies, regulators, industry groups, and consumer organizations.
The standard offers a functional framework for third-party conformity assessment activities, helping organizations provide confidence that products, processes, and services meet specific requirements outlined in normative documents such as standards or regulations. By promoting impartiality, transparency, and consistency, ISO/IEC 17067:2013 supports quality assurance and trust in global and local markets.
Key Topics
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Fundamentals of Product Certification
- Describes the principles behind product certification, including impartial third-party assessment to verify conformance to specified requirements.
- Highlights the role of product certification in enhancing consumer confidence, ensuring safety and performance, and facilitating market access.
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Certification Schemes
- Defines what constitutes a certification scheme: a set of rules, procedures, and management for carrying out certification for specified products, processes, or services.
- Explains the scheme owner’s responsibilities, including the development, documentation, and ongoing improvement of schemes.
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Types of Certification Schemes
- Outlines several types of product certification schemes, with variations based on determination activities and surveillance methods (e.g., testing, inspection, management system audits).
- Discusses schemes for batch certification, ongoing production, and services or processes.
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Development and Maintenance
- Offers step-by-step guidance for establishing a certification scheme, from defining objectives and engaging stakeholders to periodic review and public information.
- Covers essential scheme content: scope, referenced standards, conformity assessment activities, criteria for certification bodies, and confidentiality management.
Applications
The practical applications of SIST EN ISO/IEC 17067:2013 are wide-ranging and valuable for organizations seeking to create or enhance product certification schemes:
- Certification Scheme Owners: Enables conformity assessment bodies, government agencies, trade associations, and industry groups to design robust schemes for their sectors.
- Manufacturers and Suppliers: Assists suppliers in demonstrating impartial certification to increase acceptance, improve marketability, and comply with regulatory or contractual requirements.
- Regulators: Provides a basis for establishing or endorsing schemes to meet public policy, health, safety, or environmental objectives.
- Purchasing and Consumer Protection Agencies: Helps organizations distinguish certified products, supporting informed decision-making and confidence in supply chains.
- Global Trade: Facilitates the recognition of certified products across borders, reducing technical barriers and promoting international trade.
Related Standards
ISO/IEC 17067:2013 aligns with the broader family of standards for conformity assessment and product certification, including:
- ISO/IEC 17065: Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes, and services - defines the organizational requirements for operating a product certification body.
- ISO/IEC 17000: Vocabulary and general principles of conformity assessment - provides definitions and general principles applicable across all conformity assessment activities.
- ISO/IEC 17007: Guidance for drafting specified requirements - aids in the formulation of clear, unambiguous requirements in standards and certification schemes.
By adhering to SIST EN ISO/IEC 17067:2013 and related standards, organizations ensure the integrity, credibility, and international acceptance of their product certification schemes, meeting both regulatory demands and market expectations.
