The Scopes
Currently there are two main scopes: Management Systems and Product Certification.
There are two sub-scopes for Management Systems:
Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
A main scope means certificates are ‘equally reliable’ because the conformity assessment bodies conform to the same standard
A sub-scope means the certificates are ‘equivalent’ because the management systems, products, services or persons conform to the same standard.
The number of IAF MLA Signatories at 23 November 2010 is as follows:
- Main scope of ISO/IEC 17021 and the sub-scope of ISO 9001: 3 Regional Accreditation Groups (EA, PAC & IAAC) and 46 Accreditation Bodies
- Main scope of ISO/IEC 17021 and the sub-scope of ISO 14001: 3 Regional Accreditation Groups (EA, PAC & IAAC) and 41 Accreditation Bodies
- Main scope of ISO/IEC Guide 65: 32 Regional Accreditation Groups (EA, PAC & IAAC) and 38 Accreditation Bodies
Note: There are currently no sub-scopes under the main scope of ISO/IEC Guide 65. To include sub-scopes under the main scope of ISO/IEC Guide 65, schemes have to be endorsed by the IAF. The process for the endorsement of schemes can be found under IAF PL 3:2009 Policy and Procedure for Expansion of the Scope of the MLA in Policy Documents (PL series). |
