ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015: Beginner Auditor Course

Course description

This course introduces the standard that governs certification bodies which audit and certify management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. You will learn why independent certification exists, how impartiality is protected, how auditor competence is established, and exactly how a certification audit runs from application to certificate — including surveillance, recertification, suspension and appeals. Every clause is explained in plain language, illustrated with realistic situations, and reinforced with exercises and case studies.

Learning outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the purpose of third-party certification and the chain of trust from company to certification body to accreditation body to the International Accreditation Forum.
2. Describe the principles of Clause 4 — impartiality, competence, responsibility, openness, confidentiality, responsiveness to complaints and the risk-based approach — and recognise threats to each.
3. Apply the general and structural requirements of Clauses 5 and 6, including the consultancy prohibition, the two-year rule, liability and financing, and the impartiality committee.
4. Interpret the competence requirements of Clause 7 for each certification function and identify appropriate competence-evaluation methods.
5. Determine what information must be public, what must remain confidential, what a certification document must contain, and how certification marks may and may not be used (Clause 8).
6. Walk through the certification process of Clause 9: application review, audit time, Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits, audit findings, classification of nonconformities, certification decisions, surveillance, recertification, special audits, suspension, withdrawal, appeals and complaints.
7. Describe the two management system options available to a certification body (Clause 10) and outline a realistic personal route toward becoming a qualified auditor.