Accreditation Consultancy

ITMAD provides consultancy to organisations seeking accreditation as conformity assessment bodies. This is a distinct service from certification, and it is the only consultancy we are permitted to offer.

Why a certification body can offer this

Under ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065, a certification body is prohibited from providing consultancy on the standards it certifies against. ITMAD observes that prohibition strictly: we will not advise any organisation on building an ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 or similar management system. The standards below are accreditation standards. Organisations are accredited to them by an accreditation body such as EIAC or GAC, not certified by ITMAD, so no conflict of interest arises.

Standards we consult on

• ISO/IEC 17025 — Testing and calibration laboratories
• ISO/IEC 17020 — Bodies performing inspection
• ISO/IEC 17024 — Bodies certifying persons
• ISO 15189 — Medical and clinical laboratories
• ISO/IEC 17043 — Proficiency testing providers
• ISO 17034 — Reference material producers

What the engagement covers

• Gap analysis against the standard and against your chosen accreditation body's rules
• Quality manual, procedures and records framework, built around how you already work
• Method validation and verification, and estimation of measurement uncertainty
• Equipment control, traceability and intermediate checks
• Proficiency testing and interlaboratory comparison planning
• Personnel competence, authorisation and training records
• Internal audit and management review, run with your team so they can repeat them
• Preparation and submission of the accreditation application
• Pre-assessment readiness review before the accreditation body attends
• Support in responding to findings raised at assessment

Supporting software

Where a paper system will not scale, our software team supplies and implements laboratory information management systems, document and record control systems, and custom applications built to the requirements of the standard. We configure and deploy the system; the technical content of your management system remains authored and owned by your own personnel.

Who we work with

• Testing and calibration laboratories seeking first accreditation or extending scope
• Inspection bodies in oil and gas, construction, lifting and marine
• Medical laboratories working toward ISO 15189 for DoH or DHA requirements
• Training providers establishing personnel certification schemes
• Accredited bodies preparing for surveillance or reassessment

How we work

Engagements are led by technical experts with operational experience in the relevant discipline, not by generalist auditors working from a checklist. We are involved from the first visit through to the accreditation decision, and clients we have supported have achieved accreditation with their chosen accreditation body. Accreditation is granted by the accreditation body on the evidence you present, so no consultant can guarantee the outcome. What we can do is make sure nothing avoidable stands in the way of it.