Personal Certification Body

Personnel Certification Body

ISO/IEC 17024 – Accreditation of Personnel Certification Bodies

ISO/IEC 17024 is an internationally recognized standard that specifies requirements for bodies operating certification of persons. The standard is designed to ensure that personnel certification is carried out in a competent, consistent, impartial, and reliable manner, providing confidence to regulators, employers, and the market.

As an accreditation body, the International Directorate of Accreditation (IDA) assesses and accredits Personnel Certification Bodies (PCBs) against the requirements of ISO/IEC 17024.

Purpose of ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation

ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation ensures that a Personnel Certification Body:

• operates impartial and independent certification processes
• evaluates competence based on defined qualification schemes
• applies consistent examination and assessment methods
• protects confidentiality and examination security
• maintains ongoing surveillance and recertification processes
• manages complaints, appeals, and conflicts of interest effectively

Accreditation confirms that the certification body is technically competent and that certified persons meet clearly defined professional competence criteria.

Role of International Directorate of Accreditation (IDA)

The International Directorate of Accreditation (IDA) provides accreditation to Personnel Certification Bodies in accordance with ISO/IEC 17024 through a structured and impartial assessment process.

IDA accreditation demonstrates that a certification body:

• complies fully with ISO/IEC 17024 requirements
• has competent personnel and assessors
• applies transparent certification decision-making
• maintains integrity, fairness, and credibility in personnel certification
• operates a management system that supports continual improvement

IDA conducts document reviews, on-site assessments, witness evaluations, and ongoing surveillance to ensure sustained compliance.

Scope of Personnel Certification

ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation applies to certification schemes for individuals in areas such as:

• Management system auditors
• Inspectors and technical professionals
• Health, safety, and environmental specialists
• Food safety and quality professionals
• Sustainability, agriculture, and supply-chain professionals
• Industry-specific technical roles

Each certification scheme is evaluated against defined competence criteria, examination methods, and certification rules.

Benefits of IDA Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17024

For Certification Bodies

• Enhanced credibility and international recognition
• Structured and reliable certification processes
• Improved stakeholder confidence
• Market acceptance of certified personnel

For Certified Persons

• Recognition of competence based on impartial assessment
• Improved professional mobility and career opportunities
• Confidence that certification is credible and robust

For Regulators and Industry

• Assurance that certified personnel meet defined competence standards
• Reduced risk through reliable qualification systems

Accreditation Process Overview

The IDA accreditation process typically includes:

1. Application and scope definition
2. Document review against ISO/IEC 17024
3. On-site assessment of certification operations
4. Witness assessment of examinations or evaluations
5. Accreditation decision by an independent committee
6. Ongoing surveillance and reassessment

This process ensures continued conformity and confidence in accredited certification bodies.

Commitment to Impartiality and Integrity

IDA operates with a strong commitment to:

• impartiality and independence
• transparency in accreditation decisions
• confidentiality of applicant information
• avoidance of conflicts of interest

These principles ensure trust in the accreditation and in the certifications issued by IDA-accredited bodies.