Certification body for management systems SCESm
Certification bodies for management systems independently assess whether organisations meet the requirements for standards relating to quality, the environment or information security. Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17021-1 guarantees professional, impartial and transparent audits. Objective audit evidence forms the basis for reliable certifications that build trust among customers, public authorities and markets.
A certification body for management systems is an independent and expert conformity assessment body (CAB) that evaluates whether an organisation’s management system – for example, for quality, the environment or information security – meets the requirements of a recognised standard. This is based on the international standard ISO/IEC 17021-1, which the CAB must use to define its management system and processes for conformity assessment by a third party.
Certification bodies carry out certification audits in which they verify whether the management system meets specified requirements, is implemented effectively and is capable of achieving the organisation’s defined aims and policies. These include initial, monitoring and recertification audits. Based on objective audit evidence, the certification body makes an impartial decision on whether to grant, maintain, suspend or withdraw certification and issues the corresponding certificate.
The aim of the certification is to build trust among customers, public authorities and other interested parties. Key principles of the standard include impartiality, professional competence, transparency, confidentiality, effective complaints handling and a risk-based approach. It is also important to maintain a clear separation between certification and management system consultancy.
General requirements
SAS-Dokument 506
Referenzdokument zur Norm ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 für die Akkreditierung von Stellen, die Managementsysteme auditieren und zertifizieren (German version)
SAS-Dokument 506
Referenzdokument zur Norm ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 für die Akkreditierung von Stellen, die Managementsysteme auditieren und zertifizieren (German version)
SAS-Document 509
Addendum to SAS document 741 for the accreditation of certification bodies
SAS-Dokument 517
Leitfaden für die Beurteilung der Kompetenz der Auditoren von Zertifizierungsstellen (available in German only)
SAS-Document 525
Merkblatt zur Verwendung des IAF-MLA-Zeichens im Rahmen des Lizenzvertrages (German version)
SAS-Document 526
Merkblatt zur Ermittlung der Dauer eines Zertifizierungsaudits für Managementsysteme (available in German only)
SAS-Document 529
Erhebung von Leistungskennzahlen bei den Zertifizierungsstellen für Managementsysteme gemäss Dokument IAF MD15 (German version)
Witnessing
Witnessing einfach erklärt (German version)
Transitional arrangements
Transitional arrangements FSSC 220000
Transitional arrangements from FSSC 22000 Version 6 to FSSC 22000 Version 7 (German version)
Transitional arrangements ISO 21001
Transitional arrangements from ISO 21001:2018 to ISO 21001:2025 (German version)
Transitional arrangements IN-Qualis
Transitional arrangements from IN-Qualis 2018 to IN-Qualis-2024-AIS (German version)
MS in public health
MS in computer science
MS in welding technology
Index
Key areas of application for this accreditation
Medicine and Health
The medicine and health sector safeguards the quality of life of humans and animals.
Cybersecurity and data protection
Cybersecurity, information security and data protection are central to protecting digital systems and data in an interconnected world.
Society and Services
This society and services sector covers key areas of everyday life, including education, care and leisure.
Contact
Swiss Accreditation Service SAS
Holzikofenweg 36
CH - 3003 Bern