Q34: Can Accreditation Bodies carry out consecutive assessments during the COVID lockdown period using remote techniques? ISO/IEC 17011 states in 7.9.3 “The time between consecutive on-site assessments shall not exceed 2 years. However, if the accreditation body determines that an on-site assessment is not applicable, it shall use another assessment technique to achieve the same objective as the on-site assessment being replaced and justify the use of such techniques (e.g. remote assessment).” Therefore is it correct that the AB can justify using alternative techniques in this situation?

Posted on by IAF FAQ TF

A34: Yes, considering the current restrictions on travel it would be a suitable justification, subject to risk assessment, to use remote techniques in consecutive assessments within a 2 year period.