Why inspection bodies need to prepare for the 2026 update of ISO/IEC 17020 for conformity assessment

Jennifer Foley, Programme Manager for the Inspection Body Programme at IANZ (International Accreditation New Zealand), is one of New Zealand’s representatives on ISO/CASCO Working Group 31 — the international committee responsible for developing the latest edition of ISO/IEC 17020 Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies performing inspection.

The updated 2026 version marks the first major revision of the standard in more than a decade. With a three‑year transition period planned, inspection bodies and regulators will need to familiarise themselves with the changes, many of which influence how competence, impartiality and consistency are assessed across a wide range of sectors.

Jennifer has spent almost nine years with IANZ, drawing on previous international laboratory experience to support accreditation programmes in New Zealand. Her involvement in the revision process has given her a unique, inside perspective on how the updates were shaped — and what they will mean for the industries that rely on accredited inspections every day.

Why ISO/IEC 17020 matters in everyday life

ISO/IEC 17020 is one of the most widely used inspection standards globally. In New Zealand, it underpins the accreditation of inspection bodies working across sectors such as:

• construction
• food safety
• mechanical and engineering services
• fire protection
• environmental inspections
• crane inspections and other regulated activities

In many cases, the use of accredited inspection bodies is written directly into regulation, making the standard critical to the safe and consistent functioning of essential services.

“It touches people’s everyday lives, even if they don’t realise it,” Jennifer explains. From restaurant inspections and asbestos checks to the safety of equipment used on worksites, accreditation helps ensure inspections are carried out competently, consistently and with integrity.

How the 2026 revision was developed

The revision of ISO/IEC 17020 was a three‑year international collaboration involving experts from Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, China, India, South America and beyond.

“It was amazing to work with people whose names I’d heard for years,” Jennifer says. “Some have been involved in inspection body accreditation for 20 or 30 years, so you can be confident the standard has been shaped by very experienced minds. I learned so much — not just from the decisions, but from the reasoning and debates behind them.”

The committee met several times in Geneva, supported by late‑night online meetings to accommodate global time zones. “Those 1am calls were probably the toughest part,” Jennifer laughs, “but it was absolutely worth it.”

One of the key challenges was ensuring the committee was not dominated by accreditation bodies alone. “We use the standard every day, but we’re not the ones accredited to it. Striking the right balance with strong industry representation was really important.”

Key changes in the 2026 revision

The updated standard represents a general modernisation of ISO/IEC 17020. Its aim is to improve clarity, reduce ambiguity and align terminology with other ISO standards — particularly ISO 9001 for quality management systems.

Some of the most significant changes include:

Strengthened independence and impartiality requirements

Independence was one of the most debated aspects of the revision. The updated requirements provide clearer expectations for managing conflicts of interest, preventing undue influence and ensuring inspectors remain impartial across different organisational and regulatory contexts.

“Different regions interpret independence differently,” Jennifer explains. “Reaching global consensus was difficult, but essential.”

Alignment with ISO’s common elements

ISO continues to harmonise structure and language across its conformity assessment standards. Aligning ISO/IEC 17020 with ISO 9001 helps organisations operating multiple management systems reduce duplication and conflicting interpretations.

Clearer definitions and requirements

Several clauses were rewritten to improve clarity and practicality, addressing areas that had caused confusion since the previous edition was published more than 13 years ago.

A refresh to reflect current practice

Inspection technology, regulatory expectations and industry practices have all evolved. The 2026 update brings the standard up to date with how inspections are carried out today.

What inspection bodies need to do next

With the publication of the updated standard, a three‑year transition period has now begun before IANZ will assess against the new requirements. Early planning will be key to a smooth transition.

Inspection bodies and regulators are encouraged to:

·       review and familiarise themselves with the updated standard

·       identify changes needed to management systems, procedures and training materials

·       plan ahead for future assessments against the 2026 version

IANZ will develop a clear transition timeline to support organisations through the change. “You can’t leave it to the final year,” Jennifer says. “Bodies will need time to make changes and demonstrate they’re ready to be assessed against the new standard.”

Aligning New Zealand with global best practice

“In New Zealand, we aren’t as heavily regulated in some areas as places like the EU,” Jennifer reflects. “Standards help ensure what we do here is consistent with global best practice, aligned for trade and supply chains, and trusted by consumers. To be part of shaping that internationally is incredibly meaningful.”

From protecting public safety to supporting international trade, accreditation and standards such as ISO/IEC 17020 play a vital role in keeping New Zealand connected to — and confident in — the global inspection community.

ISO/IEC 17020:2026 is in the final stage of production with ISO and due for publication very soon.