World Organic Accreditation Board (WOAB)
Transition Policy for Management System Certification Bodies (MSCBs)
Transition to ISO/IEC 17021-1: Latest Edition
Document No.: WOAB-POL-17021-1-001
Version: 1.0
Effective Date: [Insert Date]
Issued by: World Organic Accreditation Board (WOAB)
1. Introduction
The World Organic Accreditation Board (WOAB) is committed to maintaining internationally recognized accreditation services that promote competence, impartiality, consistency, and confidence in management system certification.
As international standards continue to evolve, accredited organizations must transition to revised editions in a timely and systematic manner. WOAB has therefore established this Transition Policy to guide all accredited and applicant Management System Certification Bodies (MSCBs) through the implementation of the latest edition of ISO/IEC 17021-1.
This policy defines the procedures, responsibilities, timelines, assessment methods, and documentation requirements applicable during the transition period. It ensures that certification bodies continue to demonstrate compliance with internationally accepted accreditation principles while maintaining confidence among regulators, industry, customers, and other interested parties.
The purpose of this document is to provide a transparent framework for managing the transition process and ensuring that all accredited organizations implement the revised requirements effectively.
2. Purpose
This policy has been developed to:
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- Establish a uniform transition process for all accredited and applicant certification bodies.
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- Ensure continued compliance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 requirements.
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- Maintain confidence in accredited certification services.
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- Promote consistency in accreditation assessments.
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- Define the responsibilities of WOAB and accredited certification bodies.
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- Support continual improvement within accredited organizations.
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- Ensure impartiality and competence throughout the accreditation process.
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- Facilitate smooth implementation of revised international standards.
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- Minimize disruption to accredited organizations during the transition period.
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- Protect the integrity and credibility of WOAB accreditation.
3. Scope
This policy applies to all organizations accredited by WOAB or seeking accreditation for the certification of management systems under ISO/IEC 17021-1.
The policy covers:
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- Initial accreditation applicants
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- Existing accredited certification bodies
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- Extension of accreditation scope
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- Surveillance assessments
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- Reassessment activities
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- Witness assessments
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- Special assessments
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- Transition audits
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- Document reviews
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- Corrective action verification
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- Accreditation decision-making
This document shall be followed by all WOAB personnel, assessors, technical experts, accreditation committee members, and certification bodies operating under WOAB accreditation.
4. Policy Statement
WOAB recognizes ISO/IEC 17021-1 as the primary international standard governing bodies that audit and certify management systems.
Accordingly, all accredited and applicant certification bodies shall implement the requirements of the latest edition of ISO/IEC 17021-1 within the transition period established by WOAB.
Certification bodies are expected to:
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- Revise their management systems.
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- Update procedures and policies.
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- Train personnel.
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- Demonstrate competence.
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- Implement revised audit methodologies.
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- Maintain records of implementation.
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- Cooperate fully during assessments.
Failure to comply with this policy may result in suspension, reduction of scope, or withdrawal of accreditation.
5. Objectives of the Transition Programme
The objectives of the WOAB Transition Programme are to:
5.1 Ensure International Alignment
Maintain alignment with internationally recognized conformity assessment standards and best practices.
5.2 Promote Confidence
Increase confidence among regulators, customers, government agencies, and certification users regarding accredited certifications.
5.3 Improve Competence
Ensure auditors, technical experts, decision-makers, and certification personnel possess the competence required under the revised standard.
5.4 Enhance Risk-Based Thinking
Encourage certification bodies to incorporate risk-based approaches into certification activities.
5.5 Improve Impartiality
Strengthen mechanisms that prevent conflicts of interest and preserve impartial certification decisions.
5.6 Improve Consistency
Promote consistent assessment practices across all accredited certification bodies.
5.7 Support Continual Improvement
Encourage organizations to continually improve their management systems and certification processes.
6. Definitions
For the purpose of this policy, the following definitions apply.
Accreditation
Third-party attestation related to a conformity assessment body conveying formal demonstration of its competence to carry out specific conformity assessment activities.
Accreditation Body
An organization that performs accreditation of conformity assessment bodies according to internationally recognized standards.
Certification Body (CB)
An organization that conducts audits and grants certification of management systems.
Applicant Certification Body
A certification body applying for accreditation by WOAB.
Accredited Certification Body
A certification body that has successfully met WOAB accreditation requirements.
Management System
A set of interrelated processes used to establish policies, objectives, and achieve those objectives.
Examples include:
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- Quality Management Systems
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- Environmental Management Systems
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- Food Safety Management Systems
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- Information Security Management Systems
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- Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems
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- Energy Management Systems
Nonconformity
Failure to meet a specified requirement of ISO/IEC 17021-1 or WOAB accreditation criteria.
Corrective Action
Action taken to eliminate the cause of a detected nonconformity.
Observation
A statement identifying opportunities for improvement without constituting a nonconformity.
Surveillance Assessment
Periodic assessment conducted to verify continued compliance with accreditation requirements.
Reassessment
A comprehensive evaluation conducted before renewal of accreditation.
Witness Assessment
Observation of certification activities performed by WOAB assessors to verify competence.
7. Normative References
This policy should be read in conjunction with the latest editions of the following standards and guidance documents, where applicable:
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- ISO/IEC 17021-1 – Conformity Assessment – Requirements for Bodies Providing Audit and Certification of Management Systems
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- ISO/IEC 17011 – Conformity Assessment – Requirements for Accreditation Bodies Accrediting Conformity Assessment Bodies
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- ISO 19011 – Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems
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- Applicable International Accreditation Forum (IAF) Mandatory Documents
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- Applicable WOAB Accreditation Rules
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- WOAB Procedures and Technical Guidance Documents
8. General Principles
WOAB operates under the following fundamental principles:
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- Independence
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- Impartiality
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- Competence
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- Confidentiality
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- Transparency
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- Accountability
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- Consistency
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- Professionalism
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- Fairness
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- Integrity
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- Continuous Improvement
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- International Recognition
All accreditation decisions shall be based solely upon objective evidence demonstrating conformity with applicable accreditation requirements.
