Get Started For Free

Perform the ISO 17020:2012 Assessment using eAuditor

ISO 17020:2012 is an international standard that specifies requirements for the competence of bodies performing inspections and for the impartiality and consistency of their inspection activities. It is widely used by inspection bodies (public or private) that assess products, processes, services, or installations to determine their conformity with specific requirements.

Performing the ISO 17020:2012 Assessment using eAuditor ensures a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of an inspection body’s competence, impartiality, operational consistency, and management system integrity. eAuditor enables a seamless digital experience through interactive checklists, evidence documentation, automated action tracking, and compliance reporting, all critical for accreditation readiness, regulatory assurance, and internal performance improvement.

1. Planning the ISO 17020 Assessment in eAuditor

1.1 Establish Scope and Objectives

• Define Audit Goals:
  • Confirm adherence to ISO 17020 requirements across all inspection activities.
  • Identify any risks to impartiality, reliability, and consistency.
  • Prepare for third-party accreditation or ongoing compliance maintenance.
• Set Scope Parameters:
  • Full body assessment or focused functional audits (e.g., resource adequacy, inspection procedures, quality systems).
  • Single-location or multi-site audits.
  • Type of inspection body (Type A, B, or C) considerations.

1.2 Collect Pre-Audit Documentation

Gather internal materials required for reference or evidence:

• Organizational structure diagrams and legal identity documents
• Conflict of interest and impartiality declarations
• Records of personnel qualifications, training, and evaluations
• Inspection methodology documentation and process flowcharts
• Equipment calibration, maintenance logs, and procurement records
• Subcontractor evaluation procedures
• Internal audit reports and corrective action logs
• Confidentiality agreements and data security protocols

1.3 Build a Digitized ISO 17020 Checklist in eAuditor

Structure the checklist to mirror the standard’s clauses:

• General Requirements
• Structural Requirements
• Resource Requirements
• Process Requirements
• Management System Requirements

Features to include:

• Dropdown response fields (Compliant, Partial, Non-Compliant)
• Comment and observation fields
• File upload and photo attachment options
• Action assignment for immediate follow-up
• Time-stamped and geotagged entries for traceability

2. Conducting the ISO 17020:2012 Assessment Using eAuditor

2.1 Evaluate Each Clause Thoroughly

1. General Requirements

• Are impartiality policies documented, enforced, and reviewed?
• Have risks to impartiality been identified and mitigated effectively?
• Are confidentiality and data protection measures clearly established?

1. Structural Requirements

• Is the inspection body a legally identifiable entity with clear accountability?
• Are responsibilities defined to safeguard independence and operational integrity?
• Are governance mechanisms in place to prevent influence from related organizations?

1. Resource Requirements

• Are staff qualifications, certifications, and evaluations up to date?
• Are inspectors trained in applicable standards, methods, and ethical guidelines?
• Is there a competency matrix or training needs assessment system?
• Is inspection and test equipment adequate, maintained, and traceable to national/international standards?
• Are external providers (labs, consultants) assessed for quality and suitability?

1. Process Requirements

• Are all inspection methods validated and documented?
• Are instructions for inspection, sampling, and test execution available and applied consistently?
• Have deviations from documented procedures been handled through formal change controls?
• Are inspection records complete, traceable, and securely stored?
• Are reports and certificates clear, accurate, and approved by authorized personnel?
• Have appeals and complaints been addressed systematically and impartially?

1. Management System Requirements

• Is there a documented management system (either aligned with ISO 9001 or tailored to ISO 17020)?
• Are policies and procedures version-controlled and accessible?
• Are internal audits scheduled, performed independently, and documented?
• Have nonconformities been corrected with documented root-cause analyses and preventive actions?
• Are annual management reviews conducted with data-driven decisions?

2.2 Use eAuditor for Live Evidence Collection

• Conduct assessments using tablets, smartphones, or desktop devices
• Attach photos (e.g., of calibration labels, procedural postings, workstation setups)
• Upload training certificates, SOPs, logs, or test reports directly to the checklist items
• Add auditor comments, sign-offs, and time-stamped entries for full audit traceability

2.3 Assign and Track Corrective Actions

• Flag findings and immediately assign the responsible staff using the “Actions” feature
• Set deadlines, risk priority levels, and verification requirements
• Track action progress through the centralized Actions Dashboard
• Attach completion evidence and conduct verification audits or spot checks

3. Post-Audit Reporting and Improvement Tracking

3.1 Generate and Share ISO 17020 Audit Reports

• eAuditor automatically compiles all data into a professional report
• Reports include:
  • Section-wise summaries of findings
  • Photos, attachments, and observations
  • Action items by priority, clause, and department
  • Audit score or compliance rating
• Share reports as PDF, Excel, or cloud-based links with auditors, managers, or certifiers

3.2 Close the Loop on Corrective Actions

• Follow up on the action resolution status within eAuditor
• Attach resolution documentation (e.g., new procedures, retraining evidence, updated records)
• Verify and validate effectiveness before marking issues as closed
• Use verification audits or sampling to confirm sustained compliance

3.3 Analyze Audit Trends Using eAuditor Analytics

• View compliance trends over time and across departments or locations
• Identify recurring issues or systemic gaps
• Filter actions by status, clause, site, or team
• Use analytics to inform continuous improvement, resource planning, and policy updates

4. Essential Elements to Include in the eAuditor ISO 17020 Template

• Independence declarations and impartiality records
• Inspector certification, ongoing competence tracking, and evaluation
• Validated inspection methods and documented procedures
• Maintenance and calibration logs for critical equipment
• Record retention policies and data security measures
• Client communication protocols and complaint handling mechanisms
• Document control systems, versioning, and access protocols
• Audit logs and records of management review meetings
• Status of previous audit findings and continuous improvement activities

5. Benefits of Using eAuditor for ISO 17020 Assessment

• Clarity and Consistency: Standardized checklists ensure assessments are complete and repeatable
• Mobility and Flexibility: Perform audits anywhere—on-site, in the field, or remotely
• Real-Time Documentation: Instant capture of findings, photos, and corrective actions
• Team Collaboration: Assign tasks directly within the audit, keep communication traceable
• Custom Reporting: Generate reports tailored to accreditation, internal stakeholders, or regulatory needs
• Insightful Dashboards: Visualize progress, identify risks, and align audit outcomes with strategic goals
• Audit History: Maintain an accessible and secure digital archive of all inspections

Summary

Conducting an ISO 17020:2012 Assessment using eAuditor equips inspection bodies with a scalable, efficient, and audit-ready method to ensure full compliance with international standards. By digitizing the inspection of your inspection processes, eAuditor enables quality assurance, real-time corrective action tracking, and audit transparency—ultimately enhancing reliability, integrity, and readiness for accreditation or client trust.

Get Started For Free