Conformity Assessment
Trust in product certification rests upon a foundation of rigorous international standards. The LICQual ISO/IEC 17065:2012 Conformity Assessment Foundation Course provides a comprehensive exploration of the benchmark standard governing certification body operations worldwide. This ISO 17065 foundation training online delivers a thorough examination of the accreditation framework that ensures product, process, and service certifications remain credible and consistent across global markets.
Structured as an entry-level ISO 17065 certification, the curriculum systematically addresses the core components defining competent certification practices. Learners engage with the structural requirements that certification organizations must establish, the principles of impartiality that underpin trustworthy assessments, and the complete certification cycle spanning initial application through final decision-making. The course also examines the critical resource requirements, personnel competence criteria, and established protocols for managing complaints and appeals.
As a recognized conformity assessment foundation qualification, this LICQual Conformity Assessment Foundation course translates complex accreditation mandates into accessible professional knowledge. Learner develops a sophisticated understanding of what constitutes robust certification practices without requiring prior industry experience.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual ISO/IEC 17065:2012 Conformity Assessment Foundation Course
Total Units
6
Total Credits
40
GLH
120
Qualification #
LICQ2201345
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual ISO/IEC 17065:2012 Conformity Assessment Foundation Course applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201345-1 |
Introduction to ISO/IEC 17065:2012 and Conformity Assessment Fundamentals |
8 |
24 |
|
LICQ2201345-2 |
Structural Requirements for Certification Bodies |
8 |
24 |
|
LICQ2201345-3 |
Resource Requirements and Personnel Competence |
6 |
18 |
|
LICQ2201345-4 |
Information and Certification Process Requirements |
6 |
18 |
|
LICQ2201345-5 |
Management System Requirements for Certification Bodies |
6 |
18 |
|
LICQ2201345-6 |
Certification Decision, Appeals, and Complaints Procedures |
6 |
18 |
By the end of this course, Applicants will be able to:
Introduction to ISO/IEC 17065:2012 and Conformity Assessment Fundamentals
- Understand the historical development and global significance of ISO/IEC 17065 for certification bodies.
- Define the core concept of conformity assessment and its role in product, process, and service certification.
- Explain the difference between certification, inspection, and testing within the conformity assessment landscape.
- Identify the key stakeholders involved in certification including certification bodies, clients, and regulators.
- Recognize the importance of international standards in facilitating global trade and market acceptance.
Structural Requirements for Certification Bodies
- Describe the legal and organizational structure requirements for certification bodies seeking accreditation.
- Explain the governance arrangements necessary to ensure impartiality in certification activities.
- Identify the mechanisms for maintaining independence from commercial, financial, or other pressures.
- Understand the organizational chart and reporting lines that support objective decision-making.
- Outline the committee structures required to safeguard impartiality including stakeholder participation.
Resource Requirements and Personnel Competence
- Identify the personnel competence criteria for staff involved in certification activities.
- Describe the process for determining and verifying the competence of auditors and technical experts.
- Explain the requirements for initial qualification and ongoing professional development of certification personnel.
- Understand the resource allocation necessary for conducting certification activities effectively.
- Recognize the importance of documented evidence demonstrating personnel competence and qualifications.
Information and Certification Process Requirements
- Outline the complete certification lifecycle from initial application to granting certification.
- Describe the information requirements for certification applicants including scope and standards sought.
- Explain the evaluation process including document review, assessment, and audit activities.
- Understand the decision-making protocols for granting, maintaining, extending, and reducing certification.
- Identify the requirements for certification documentation including scope statements and certificates.
Management System Requirements for Certification Bodies
- Describe the management system options available to certification bodies under ISO/IEC 17065.
- Explain the documentation requirements including policies, procedures, and quality manuals.
- Identify the internal audit processes necessary for monitoring management system effectiveness.
- Understand the management review requirements for evaluating certification body performance.
- Outline the corrective action procedures for addressing identified nonconformities.
Certification Decision, Appeals, and Complaints Procedures
- Understand the impartial decision-making process for granting or refusing certification.
- Describe the appeals handling procedure for certification applicants challenging decisions.
- Explain the complaints handling process for receiving and addressing stakeholder concerns.
- Identify the records and documentation required for appeals and complaints management.
- Recognize the ongoing surveillance requirements for maintaining valid certification over time.
This course is ideal for:
- Certification body personnel seeking to formalize their understanding of international accreditation requirements.
- Quality managers working in organizations that undergo product certification and need to understand the process.
- Internal auditors responsible for assessing conformity against certification scheme requirements.
- Technical experts involved in product evaluation and testing who need context on certification decisions.
- Regulatory affairs professionals managing product approvals in markets requiring third-party certification.
- Accreditation assessors looking to deepen their knowledge of certification body operations.
- Compliance officers ensuring organizational products meet mandatory certification scheme requirements.
- Laboratory staff whose testing results feed into product certification decisions.
- Manufacturing professionals whose products require certification for market access.
- Scheme owners developing certification programs who must align with international standards.
- Consultants advising organizations on achieving and maintaining product certification.
- Recent graduates in engineering or quality fields aiming to specialize in conformity assessment.
- Procurement specialists evaluating supplier certifications for authenticity and credibility.
- Trade association representatives developing industry certification schemes for members.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.
