In this opening session, we explore the foundation of trust within inspection bodies by unpacking Clause 4 and Clause 5 of the newly released ISO/IEC 17020:2026 standard. The session will focus on Clause 4.1 Impartiality and Clause 4.2 Confidentiality, as well as the structural requirements defined in Clause 5. These elements form the ethical and organisational backbone of any inspection body and are critical in ensuring credibility and confidence in inspection outcomes.
We will examine the updated expectations around impartiality, including how inspection bodies are required to identify, assess and actively manage risks that may threaten objectivity. Confidentiality will be explored not only as a requirement, but as a key enabler of trust between the inspection body and its clients. In addition, we will unpack the structural requirements necessary to ensure independence, clear governance, and accountability within the organisation.
This session will also highlight the key changes from ISO/IEC 17020:2012 and provide practical guidance on how inspection bodies can assess their current systems and implement the necessary updates to align with the new standard. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how these requirements move beyond compliance and into building ethical, trust-driven inspection practices.