ILAC/IAF Conference September 23-25, 2002 in Berlin

Session 1

Peer Assess ment

for bodies engaged in
Conformity Assess ment

Ian Cleare, Health & Safety Executive/UK

Peer Assessment
Peer Groups
How PA differs from other assessments
Key Elements for effective PA
W ork of ISO/CASC O on PA Standard
Co mpetition between bodies engaged in
CA
How Peer Groups could use accreditation
PA = Peer Assessment, CA = Conformity Assessment
Bodies engaged in CA = CA Bodies and Accreditation Bodies

Peer Group
Group of bodies engaged in conformity
assessment with rules for me mbership
of the group(prIS O/IEC 17040)
Sa me kind of expertise and facilities
Sa me type of work
Sa me/similar client base

Purpose of Peer Groups

Providing benefits to me mbers and
their clients through:
Sharing information and experience
Representation of membersinterests
Providing a service network to clients
Exchanging conformity assessment
results

How PA differs from other

assessments
1st Party - by supplier on themselves
2nd Party - by purchaser on supplier
3rd Party - by certification body on
supplier
PA - by peer group me mbers on each
other

3rd Party
Product
1st Party

2nd Party

Peer Group

Key elements for effective PA

Specified criteria to be met by members
W ell-defined assessment process
Suitably qualified peer assessors
Proper management structure of group
Procedure for using outcome of PA

W ork of ISO/CASC O on PA
W G 19 set up in December 1999
Good representation sectors, countries
First CD circulated October 2001
Positive vote >2/3 BUT many com ments
Second CD to be discussed November
2002
Target publication 2005
CD = Committee Draft

prISO/IEC 17040 issues

Peer group management requirements
Clear and consistent terminology
Relationship with accreditation

Co mpetition between CA bodies

Global marketplace
Basis of competition
Upholding standard of work
Peer Group as guardian or cartel?
Accreditation and Peer Assessment

Accreditation and PA
Peer Group rules of membership
Co mplementary activities
Contribution of accreditation
Avoiding duplication of assessments
Standard and consistency of
accreditation

Conclusion
New standard
= Effective Peer Assessment
Co-operation with ILAC & IAF
= Added value of Accreditation to
Peer Assessment