BS EN ISO/IEC 17040:2005

Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Structural requirements
5 Human resource requirements
  5.1 Qualifications and selection
  5.2 Languages - translation
6 Information and documentation
7 Peer assessment process requirements
  7.1 General
  7.2 Application for peer assessment or an extension
       of scope
  7.3 Review and acceptance of the application
  7.4 Preparation for the peer assessment process
  7.5 Appointment of peer assessment team
  7.6 Documentation review
  7.7 On-site assessment
  7.8 Analysis of findings
  7.9 Peer assessment report
  7.10 Review of the peer assessment report
  7.11 Peer assessment in support of continuing membership
       of agreement group
  7.12 Notification of changes
8 Confidentiality
9 Complaints
Annex A (informative) Financial aspects
Annex B (informative) Assessment techniques for use by
        peer assessment teams
Annex C (normative) Information to be included in the
        peer assessment report
Bibliography

Provides the general requirements for the peer assessment process to be carried out by agreement groups of accreditation bodies or conformity assessment bodies. Addresses the structure and operation of the agreement group only insofar as they relate to the peer assessment process.

1.1 This International Standard specifies the general requirements for the peer assessment process to be carried out by agreement groups of accreditation bodies or conformity assessment bodies. It addresses the structure and operation of the agreement group only insofar as they relate to the peer assessment process. 1.2 This International Standard is not concerned with the wider issues of the arrangements for the formation, organization and management of the agreement group, and does not cover how the group will use peer assessment in deciding membership of the group. Such matters, which could for example include a procedure for applicants to appeal against decisions of the agreement group, are outside the scope of this International Standard. NOTE 1 Further information on the wider issues is contained in ISO/IEC Guide 68. 1.3 This International Standard is applicable to peer assessment of conformity assessment bodies performing activities such as testing, product certification, inspection, management system certification (sometimes also called registration), and personnel certification. More than one type of activity can be included in a peer assessment process. This can be considered particularly appropriate when the body under assessment conducts combined assessments of multiple conformity assessment activities. This International Standard is also applicable to peer assessment amongst accreditation bodies, which is also known as peer evaluation. NOTE 2 Bodies that are members of an agreement group might wish to rely on the soundness of the peer assessment process for evaluating the competence of a peer body as a potential subcontractor.