Introduction: Project Kick-off and Gap Analysis   

Introductory Tasks

1.1 ISO/IEC 17065 Kick-off and Awareness

Task: Organize Kick-off Meeting

• Description: Conduct a kick-off meeting to introduce the ISO/IEC 17065:2012 project to key stakeholders. Discuss objectives, timelines, scope, and responsibilities.
• Deliverables: Project plan, meeting agenda, and minutes.
• Meeting: Initial consultation with senior management, certification program heads, and the implementation team.

1.2 Perform Gap Analysis

Task: Conduct Gap Analysis Against ISO/IEC 17065:2012 Requirements

• Description: Assess current certification processes, management systems, and technical operations against ISO/IEC 17065:2012 requirements to identify gaps.
• Deliverables: Gap analysis report with identified non-conformities.
• Meeting: Present findings to senior management and certification teams.

Section 1: Certification Scheme Development and Documentation  

2.1 Develop Certification Scheme (ISO 17065 Clause 7.1)

Task: Define Certification Scheme and Requirements

• Description: Establish the certification scheme, specifying product or service requirements, assessment methods, qualification criteria, and decision-making processes for certification.
• Deliverables: Certification scheme document, competence requirements, and assessment criteria.
• Meeting: Review and approve the certification scheme with senior management and program heads.

2.2 Develop Certification Process Documentation (ISO 17065 Clauses 7.2-7.7)

Task: Document Certification Processes (Application, Evaluation, Decision)

• Description: Develop necessary documentation for the certification process, including application forms, evaluation procedures, and decision-making guidelines for certification decisions.
• Deliverables: Certification process documentation, application forms, evaluation and decision-making guidelines.
• Meeting: Review certification process documentation with certification teams.

Section 2: Impartiality, Confidentiality, and Competence  

3.1 Establish Policies for Impartiality and Confidentiality (ISO 17065 Clauses 4.2 & 4.5)

Task: Develop Impartiality and Confidentiality Policies

• Description: Establish policies to ensure that certification activities are carried out impartially and that confidentiality of client information is maintained.
• Deliverables: Impartiality and confidentiality policies.
• Meeting: Review policies with senior management, certification program managers, and relevant stakeholders.

3.2 Define Competence Requirements for Certification Personnel (ISO 17065 Clauses 6.1-6.3)

Task: Establish Competence Criteria for Certification Personnel

• Description: Define the qualifications, experience, and skills required for personnel involved in certification activities, including evaluators and decision-makers.
• Deliverables: Competence matrix, job descriptions, and training plans.
• Meeting: Review competence criteria with HR and certification team leaders.

Section 3: Certification Process Implementation  

4.1 Implement Certification Procedures (ISO 17065 Clauses 7.2-7.7)

Task: Roll Out Certification Application, Evaluation, and Decision-Making Processes

• Description: Implement the certification procedures for receiving and processing applications, evaluating candidate products/services, and making certification decisions.
• Deliverables: Certification procedure roll-out, evaluation forms, and decision-making protocols.
• Meeting: Train certification staff on new processes and tools.

4.2 Implement Decision-Making Process (ISO 17065 Clause 7.6)

Task: Establish the Certification Decision-Making Process

• Description: Implement a structured decision-making process based on evaluation outcomes to ensure fair, consistent, and impartial certification decisions.
• Deliverables: Certification decision-making procedures and records.
• Meeting: Train decision-makers and review the decision-making process with relevant personnel.

Section 4: Control of Documents and Records  

5.1 Implement Document Control System (ISO 17065 Clause 8.4)

Task: Establish Procedures for Document Control

• Description: Implement a document control system to ensure all certification-related documents, policies, and records are reviewed, updated, and managed according to ISO 17065.
• Deliverables: Document control procedures and document register.
• Meeting: Train staff on the document control system.

5.2 Implement Record Keeping and Traceability (ISO 17065 Clause 8.5)

Task: Establish Procedures for Certification Record Control

• Description: Develop procedures to securely manage and retain records of certification activities, ensuring traceability of evaluations and decisions.
• Deliverables: Record control procedures, record retention schedules.
• Meeting: Review procedures with the quality team and train staff on record management.

Section 5:Surveillance, Recertification, and Corrective Actions  

6.1 Implement Surveillance and Recertification Procedures (ISO 17065 Clauses 7.9 & 7.11)

Task: Develop Procedures for Certification Surveillance and Recertification

• Description: Establish procedures for ongoing surveillance and recertification of certified products, processes, and services to ensure continued compliance with the certification scheme.
• Deliverables: Recertification procedures, surveillance schedules, and documentation.
• Meeting: Review recertification processes with certification teams and train staff.

6.2 Implement Non-Conformity and Corrective Action Procedures (ISO 17065 Clause 8.7)

Task: Develop Procedures for Managing Non-Conformities and Corrective Actions

• Description: Establish procedures to handle non-conformities in certification processes and implement corrective actions to address root causes.
• Deliverables: Non-conformance reports, corrective action plans.
• Meeting: Review corrective actions and non-conformity handling with senior management.

Section 6: Internal Audits and Management Review  

7.1 Develop Internal Audit Program (ISO 17065 Clause 8.6)

Task: Create Internal Audit Plan

• Description: Develop an internal audit program to regularly assess the effectiveness of the certification body’s processes and compliance with ISO/IEC 17065 requirements.
• Deliverables: Internal audit plan, audit schedule, and checklist.
• Meeting: Review audit plan with internal auditors and certification management.

7.2 Conduct Internal Audits

Task: Perform Internal Audits

• Description: Conduct internal audits to evaluate the certification body’s adherence to ISO/IEC 17065 standards, including impartiality, confidentiality, and competence requirements.
• Deliverables: Internal audit reports, non-conformance reports.
• Meeting: Post-audit review meeting to discuss findings and corrective actions.

7.3 Conduct Management Review (ISO 17065 Clause 8.7)

Task: Perform Management Review of the Certification Body’s QMS

• Description: Conduct a management review to evaluate the performance of the certification body, including an analysis of audit results, recertification outcomes, and opportunities for improvement.
• Deliverables: Management review minutes and action plans.
• Meeting: Present findings and improvement plans to senior management.

Final Assessment: Certification Preparation and External Audit  

8.1 Conduct Pre-Certification Internal Audit

Task: Perform Pre-Certification Internal Audit

• Description: Conduct a final internal audit to ensure the certification body meets ISO/IEC 17065:2012 requirements and is ready for external accreditation.
• Deliverables: Pre-certification audit report, corrective action plans.
• Meeting: Final review meeting with senior management and the certification team.

8.2 Certification Body Selection and External Audit

Task: Select Certification Body and Schedule Certification Audit

• Description: Research and select an accredited certification body for ISO/IEC 17065. Schedule the external audit and ensure the organization is fully prepared.
• Deliverables: Certification body selection report, external audit schedule.
• Meeting: Final meeting with management and certification teams to confirm readiness for accreditation.

This 8-month project plan for ISO/IEC 17065:2012 implementation ensures a structured approach to achieving accreditation for certification bodies that certify products, processes, and services. It covers key areas such as impartiality, confidentiality, competence, non-conformance management, internal audits, and continual improvement, aligning the organization with ISO/IEC 17065 requirements for certification bodies.