ACCREDITATION CRITERIA FOR INSPECTION AGENCIES

AC98

February 2016
(Effective April 1, 2016)

PREFACE

The attached accreditation criteria has been issued to provide all interested parties with guidelines on
implementing performance features of the applicable standards referenced herein. The criteria was
developed and adopted following public hearings conducted by the International Accreditation Service,
Inc. (IAS), Accreditation Committee and is effective on the date shown above. All accreditations issued
or reissued on or after the effective date must comply with this criteria. If the criteria is an updated
version from a previous edition, solid vertical lines (|) in the outer margin within the criteria indicate a
technical change or addition from the previous edition. Deletion indicators (→) are provided in the outer
margins where a paragraph or item has been deleted if the deletion resulted from a technical change.
This criteria may be further revised as the need dictates.

IAS may consider alternate criteria provided the proponent submits substantiating data demonstrating
that the alternate criteria are at least equivalent to the attached criteria and otherwise meet applicable
accreditation requirements.

Copyright © 2016

1 IAS/AA/008
AC98
February 8, 2016
 ACCREDITATION CRITERIA FOR INSPECTION AGENCIES

1.0 INTRODUCTION NOTE: Whenever the word “CAB” is used in the text, it
applies to both the “applicant and accredited CABs” unless
1.1 Scope: This criteria sets forth the requirements
otherwise specified.
for obtaining and maintaining International Accreditation
Service, Inc. (IAS), inspection agency (“agency”) 3.5 Extending Accreditation: Process of enlarging
accreditation and for the qualifying data that must be the scope of accreditation.
submitted relating to the scope of inspection for which
3.6 Remote Surveillance Assessment: A remote
accreditation is sought. This criteria supplements the IAS
Rules of Procedure for Inspection Agency Accreditation. assessment tool used to evaluate compliance as part of
the IAS ongoing plan of surveillance. Remote surveillance
1.2 References and Normative Documents: assessments are limited in scope, typically covering a
Publications listed below refer to current editions (unless sampling of key requirements. Remote surveillance
otherwise stated), current editions of related construction assessments rely on computer-assisted auditing
codes published by the International Code Council or techniques, including teleconferencing, interactive web-
codes duly adopted by the relevant jurisdiction. based communications or remote access to management
system documentation and records. Remote surveillance
1.2.1 ISO/IEC (International Organization for assessments do not replace the requirement for initial
Standardization/International Electrotechnical assessments or periodic on-site reassessments of an
Commission) Standard 17020, Conformity assessment – accredited organization.
Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies
performing inspection. 3.7 Scope of Accreditation: Specific conformity
assessment services for which accreditation is sought or
1.2.2 IAS Rules of Procedure for Inspection Agency has been granted.
Accreditation.
3.8 Surveillance: Set of activities, except
1.2.3 ILAC P15, Application of ISO/IEC 17020:2012 reassessment, to monitor the continued fulfillment by
for the Accreditation of Inspection Bodies. accredited CABs of requirements for accreditation.
1.2.4 IAF/ILAC A5 – Application of ISO/IEC 17011. NOTE: Surveillance includes both surveillance on-site
1.2.5 IAS Policy on Accreditation Certificate Validity. assessments and other surveillance activities, such as the
following:
1.2.6 IAS Policy on Authorized Signatories.
a) Enquiries from the accreditation body to the CAB on
1.2.7 IAS Policy on the Expansion of the Scope of aspects concerning the accreditation;
Accreditation of Accredited Testing Laboratories and
Inspection Agencies. b) Reviewing the declarations of the CAB with respect to
what is covered by the accreditation;
2.0 BASIC INFORMATION
c) Requests to the CAB to provide documents and
The following basic information is necessary: records (e.g. audit reports, results of internal quality
2.1 Data showing compliance with the IAS Rules of control for verifying the validity of CAB services,
Procedure for Inspection Agency Accreditation. complaints records, management review records);

2.2 Data showing compliance with ISO/IEC Standard d) Monitoring the performance of the CAB (such as
17020:2012, Conformity assessment - requirements for results of participating in proficiency testing).
the operation of various types of bodies performing 3.9 Witnessing: Observation of the CAB carrying
inspection. out conformity assessment services within its scope of
3.0 DEFINITIONS accreditation.

3.1 Accreditation: Third-party attestation related to 4.0 SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

a conformity assessment body conveying formal Inspection Reports: Inspection reports shall accurately
demonstration of its competence to carry out specific and clearly outline the results of inspections. In addition to
conformity assessment tasks. the requirements listed in Section 7.4 of ISO/IEC Standard
3.2 Accreditation Body (AB): Authoritative body 17020, inspection reports shall contain the following
that performs accreditation. information, as applicable:

3.3 Assessment: Process undertaken by an 4.1 Inspection date, and arrival and departure times
accreditation body to assess the competence of a CAB, of the inspector.
based on particular standard(s) and/or other normative 4.2 Information pertaining to review of incoming-
documents and for a defined scope of accreditation. material records.
3.4 Conformity Assessment Body (CAB): Body 4.3 Products inspected.
that performs conformity assessment services and that
can be the object of accreditation. 4.4 Any changes in supervisory personnel, vendors,
production or process, and equipment relating to the
product inspected.

2 IAS/AA/008
AC98
February 8, 2016
 4.5 Results of tests observed or performed. inspector’s performance. Inspectors who grade well in field
monitoring and grade well in accordance with the criteria
4.6 Information pertaining to review of labeling and in Section 5.2.2, above, may have field monitoring
label control system. intervals extended, to a maximum of four years.
4.7 Evidence that the inspector has checked product Conversely, inspectors not grading well shall be monitored
traceability from incoming material to finished product yearly until an acceptable level of performance is
through product records. demonstrated. The agency shall retain records of the
monitoring of its inspectors.
4.8 Resolution of any discrepancies noted during
previous inspections. Note 1: Prior to formally authorizing an inspector, an on-
site observation may be beneficial.
4.9 Description of samples obtained, if any, including
quantity, dimensions and relevant physical characteristics. Note 2: Agencies whose inspectors are observed
conducting inspections in the field by an IAS assessor
4.10 Information pertaining to review of calibration during the reassessment process satisfy the once-in-
records for manufacturing and test equipment. three-year field monitoring requirement outlined in Section
4.11 Signatures of the inspector and a manufacturer’s 5.2.3. However, the inspection agency is still required to
representative. maintain annual performance review records required
under Section 5.2.2.
5.0 APPLICATION OF ISO/IEC 17020:2012
6.3 Authorization: The inspection body shall
The ILAC P15 document forms the basis of mutual maintain records of formal authorizations given to
recognition arrangements between accreditation bodies inspectors to perform work, including the authorized
and is considered necessary for the consistent application inspection activity, beginning of the authorization, the
of ISO/IEC 17020:2012. This document is available free of identity of person who performed the authorization and,
charge from the International Laboratory Accreditation where appropriate, the termination date of the
Cooperation (ILAC) website at [Link] authorization.
and-resources/ilac-documents/procedural-series/. P15 is
considered to be mandatory for the purposes of IAS 7.0 MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
accreditation. 7.1 Management Review: In accordance with a
6.0 TRAINING, AUTHORIZATION AND predetermined schedule and procedure, the agency's top
SUPERVISION/MONITORING OF INSPECTORS management shall periodically (a minimum of once per
year) conduct a review of the agency's management
Inspection agencies shall have procedures for the system and inspection activities to ensure their continuing
training and supervision/monitoring of inspectors. Detailed suitability and effectiveness, and to introduce necessary
records of training and supervision/monitoring activities changes or improvements. The review shall take account
and authorization of inspectors shall be maintained and be of:
made available for review by IAS during on-site
assessments, reassessments and surveillance visits. • Follow-up actions from previous management
reviews,
6.1 Inspector Training: All inspectors shall undergo
training in specific competencies by a supervisor or senior • Suitability of policies and procedures,
inspector or shall obtain training/education through other
• Reports from managerial and supervisory personnel,
formal arrangements that are applicable to the inspector’s
duties. Plans for continued training to keep pace with • Outcome of recent internal audits,
developing technology shall be considered.
• Corrective actions,
All such training shall be documented by the inspection
agency. • Assessments by external bodies,

6.2 Supervision/Monitoring of Inspectors • Changes in the volume and type of the work,

6.2.1 To ensure consistency in inspections and • Customer feedback,

compliance with accreditation requirements, inspection
• Complaints and appeals,
agencies shall have an effective supervision/monitoring
system for their inspectors. Section 6, Resource • Staff resourcing and training.
requirements, of ISO/IEC Standard 17020 provides
multiple alternatives to comply with this requirement. These reviews shall be conducted at least once a year.
Alternatively, a complete review broken up into segments
6.2.2 Each inspector shall undergo annual review of shall be completed within a 12-month time frame.
his/her performance in conducting inspections by the
agency. The annual review shall, at a minimum, include: Note: Results of management reviews should feed into
review of the inspector’s reports for adequacy and the inspection agency’s planning system and should
completeness, compliance of the inspector with the include the goals, objectives and action plans for the
agency’s internal SOPs and client feedback. coming year.

6.2.3 Inspectors shall be monitored periodically in 7.2 Internal Audit: The inspection body shall
the field but not less than once every three years. conduct internal audits covering all procedures in a
Inspector monitoring schedules may be based on the planned and systematic manner, in order to verify that the
management system is implemented and is effective.
3 IAS/AA/008
AC98
February 8, 2016
Internal audits shall be performed at least once every 12 every two years commencing from the date of initial
months. Such audits shall be carried out by trained and accreditation, for verification of continued compliance with
qualified personnel who are, wherever resources permit, IAS accreditation requirements.
independent of the activity to be audited.
11.0 WITNESSING INSPECTION ACTIVITIES
7.3 Management System Option: IAS reserves the
right to review the management system of inspection IAS will periodically witness actual on-site inspections by
bodies pursuing accreditation with IAS under Option B of each inspection body. Selection of the scope and
ISO/IEC Standard 17020:2012. inspector for the on-site inspection is based on various
factors – risk, complexity, personnel changes, technology
8.0 SUBCONTRACTING utilized, etc. Where possible, the full scope of accreditation
will be reviewed over a full accreditation cycle. In addition,
Sub-contracting is permitted only to Inspection Agencies as indicated in IAF/ILAC A5 clause [Link], it is not
(AA) that are accredited to the same scope of inspections
intended that every inspector has to be witnessed; a
by an accreditation body that is a partner with IAS in a representative sampling of inspectors shall be witnessed
Mutual Recognition Arrangement for inspections. A list of over a full accreditation cycle.
subcontractors must be maintained.
12.0 ADDITIONAL REQUIEMENTS FOR AGENCIES
9.0 CONTRACT WITH INDIVIDUAL INSPECTORS
PERFORMING INSPECTIONS AT IAS-ACCREDITED
Inspection Agencies may have contracts with individuals FABRICATORS
with the required competencies, including, where needed, IAS-accredited agencies that conduct quarterly
the ability to make professional judgments, to perform the inspections of IAS-accredited fabricator inspection
type, range and volume of its inspection activities. These
programs shall prepare and submit to IAS a cross-
individuals must operate under the inspection agency’s reference matrix to the fabricator’s management system
management system. manual showing that the manual addresses the general
10.0 ASSESSMENTS requirements in Section 4.0, data in Section 5.0 (6.0 in
AC472 and AC473, 5.1 to 5.7 in AC478), the statements
10.1 Prior to accreditation, inspection agencies are in Section 6.0 (7.0 in AC472 and AC473, 5.8 in AC478),
subject to an on-site assessment by IAS. This assessment and the written procedures noted in Section 7.0 (8.0 in
is to determine compliance with this criteria (AC98) and to AC472 and AC473) of the IAS Accreditation Criteria for
evaluate expertise in the area(s) of inspection where Fabricator Inspection Programs for Structural Steel
accreditation is sought. (AC172), or the IAS Accreditation Criteria for Fabricator
10.2 After the initial year of accreditation, inspection Inspection Programs for Reinforced and
agencies are subject to a remote surveillance assessment. Precast/Prestressed Concrete (AC157), or the
Upon request from IAS, all agencies shall provide the Accreditation Criteria for Fabricator Inspection Programs
following information: the agency’s internal audit and for Wood Wall Panels (AC196), or the Accreditation
management review reports/minutes; any complaints; Criteria for Inspection Programs for Manufacturers of
actions resulting from any Concerns noted in the previous Metal Building Systems (AC472), as applicable.
assessment report; any major changes in key personnel, The cross-reference matrix must be signed and dated
facilities or in the agency’s management system for by an authorized representative of the IAS-accredited
inspection areas that are within the agency’s scope with inspection agency attesting that the agency has reviewed
IAS. the fabricator’s management system and that it is
10.3 IAS will conduct an on-site reassessment of sufficiently compliant with the applicable accreditation
accredited inspection agencies at a minimum of once criteria to schedule an on-site joint assessment with IAS. ■

(Previously issued: September 2002, March 2004, May 2005, August 2006, October 2009, June 2013 and February
2015)

4 IAS/AA/008
AC98
February 8, 2016