TC/45/03

The Role and Granting of Accreditation Scopes

Discussions in the last few meetings of the Technical Committee have pointed to inconsistency by Accreditation Bodies (ABs) in their approach to granting accreditation scopes to certification/registration bodies (CRBs).

This proposal aims to test whether the elements of a common approach exist.

Accreditation scopes exist to limit the recognition of the competence of CRBs by ABs. They are different in their effect on specialist CRBs, for whom a defined scope is a shop window reflecting their chosen competence area as confirmed by the AB, and for generalist CRBs, for whom the accreditation scope they have usually represents the stage they are at on the road to scopelessness (full scope).

For both types of CRB, the scope represents a shop window that it can use to define the area in which it can sell its accredited services.

As such, it is not proposed to change the current list of 39 scopes at this stage. The market is familiar with them, and they are adequate as shop windows.

On the other hand, ABs need to examine technical competence in greater depth than can be conveyed by focussing on the broad areas covered by most of the 39 scopes (see new IAF Guidance on clause 2.2 of Guide 62). The measurement of the competence of the CBs needs greater precision than can be related to these descriptors. For generalists, accreditation for one of the 39 scope headings does not usually equate with demonstration of competence across the whole of that scope, or at least not initially.

We would suggest that accreditation scopes should be used by ABs in the following manner:

New applicant CRB:

  1. Proves its ability to work in one or more technical areas through competence analysis and demonstration of its ability to deliver the service as defined.

(As part of an initial accreditation this entails witnessing of some certification activity by the AB, probably at the sensitive end of the scope range if there is a choice, to confirm that the delivery matches the expectations it has from the system. The witnessing programme reflects the range of scopes requested by the CRB, and complements technical review activities by the AB in the CRB’s office.)

  1. The CRB, when successful, achieves accreditation for one or more of the 39 scopes as is appropriate to cover the technical areas in which it has demonstrated its competence.
  1. Usually the shop window of scope headings under the 39 is wider than what has actually been demonstrated. But in every case, competence in some technical area has been demonstrated in depth, and an understanding exists between the AB and the CRB that no other technical areas can be subject to certification without use of the equivalent depth of competence on the part of the CRB.
  1. The shop window package of scopes is likely to include areas where the CRB has not demonstrated actual competence. The AB may therefore require the CRB to notify it when it moves into new technical areas within each “shop window of scopes” so as to enable the AB to review how the CRB is applying its system in these new areas. This gives the AB the opportunity for technical review or witnessing as may be required by the AB’s system. The AB should not, however, hold the CRB up from performing its contract with its customer (the CRB is acting within its formal accreditation). Intervention by the AB is a check measure that is useful whenever performed. The consequences for the CRB of not performing at the level expected under accreditation would be imposition of sanctions.
  1. To expand its formal scope into a new one of the 39, the CRB needs to apply to the AB and await the necessary steps before firming up arrangements with its customers. The AB should not if possible cause the CRB to offer an unaccredited service before it can achieve accreditation.

The Technical Committee is invited to discuss whether the approach described here matches practice by IAF member ABs, and, if not, whether difficulties can be foreseen in using scopes in this manner. If the discussion is positive, it is proposed that the Technical Committee develops further guidance on the granting of scopes as an outcome of the new IAF Guidance on QMS CRB Competence (clause 2.2 of ISO/IEC Guide 62).

2 September 2003