“Instructions for Administration & Implementation of Accreditation
of Testing & Calibration Laboratories and Certification Bodies”
No. (1) for the Year 2002
(Approved by JISM Board of Directors on 30 January 2002)

Issued pursuant to Article (5) of the Law of Standards & Metrology
No. (22) for the Year 2000

Article (1): (Top)

1. These Instructions are called "Instructions for Administration & Implementation of Accreditation of Testing & Calibration Laboratories and Certification Bodies No. (1) for the Year 2002", and shall be effective from the date of their promulgation in the Official Gazette.

2. The following instructions are applicable to all kinds of testing & calibration laboratories and certification bodies that apply for accreditation to the unit.

3. These instructions were prepared according to the Accreditation Guide for Laboratories and Accreditation Guide for Certification Bodies.

Article (2) : Definitions (Top)

The following terms and phrases, whenever they occur in these Instructions, shall have the meanings specified hereunder unless otherwise indicated by the context:

• The law: Law of Standards & Metrology No. (22) for the Year 2000.

• The Institution: The Jordan Institution for Standards & Metrology.

• The Director General: The Director General of the Institution.

• The Instructions: Instructions for Administration & Implementation of Accreditation of Testing & Calibration Laboratories and Certification Bodies No. (1) for the Year 2002.

• The Unit: The Accreditation Unit in the Institution.

• The Standard: ISO/IEC Standard 17025: 1999 "General Requirements for the Competence of Calibration and Testing Laboratories", issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This Standard or any amendments that might occur thereon constitute an integral part of the Instructions.

• Guide 1: ISO/IEC Guide 62: 1996 "General Requirements for Bodies Operating Assessment and Certification/Registration of Quality Systems", issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This guide or any amendments that might occur thereon constitute an integral part of the Instructions.

• Guide 2: ISO/IEC Guide 65: 1996 "General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification System" issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This guide or any amendments that might occur thereon constitute an integral part of the Instructions.

• Guide 3: ISO/IEC Guide 66: 1999 "General Requirements for Bodies Operating Assessment and Certification/Registration of Environmental Management Systems (EMS)" issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This guide or any amendments that might occur thereon constitute an integral part of the Instructions.

• Specified Requirements: The general accreditation requirements specified in the Standard or in any of the above mentioned three Guides, the requirements of quality management system of the applicant or accredited body, and any additional technical requirements specified by the Unit in co-operation with the Technical Committee.

• The Accreditation Guide for Laboratories: ISO/ IEC Guide 58: 1993 “Calibration and Testing Laboratory Accreditation Systems - General Requirements for Operation and Recognition”, issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This guide or any amendments that might occur thereon constitute an integral part of the Instructions.

• The Accreditation Guide for Certification Bodies: ISO/IEC Guide 61: 1996 "General Requirements for Assessment and Accreditation of Certification/Registration Bodies", issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This guide or any amendments that might occur thereon constitute an integral part of the Instructions.

• The Applicant: The laboratory or certification body applying for accreditation.

• The Accredited Body: The laboratory or the certification body that was accredited according to the requirements of the Instructions.

• Scope of Accreditation: Specific tasks for which accreditation is sought for or has been granted.

• Accreditation: Formal third-party recognition that a body has fulfilled specified requirements and is competent to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks.

• The Corrective Action Period: The period of time during which the applicant or accredited body shall be committed to close out the non-conformities found in the quality manual or during the on-site assessment by taking the required corrective actions. The Unit shall approve both the period and the required corrective actions.

• Nonconformity: Non-compliance by the applicant or the accredited body with any of the specified requirements.

Article (3) : Conditions for Accreditation (Top)

The applicant shall fulfil the following conditions in order to achieve accreditation:

1. Compliance with the specified requirements.

2. Making the necessary arrangements to facilitate the accreditation and surveillance procedures.

3. Payment of all fees and expenses as specified in Sub-articles (12/a) and (12/b) of the Instructions.

4. Compliance with all the requirements stated and referred to in the Instructions including the internal accreditation procedures prepared by the Unit.

5. Providing valid and correct information regarding accreditation to the Unit.

Article (4) : Application for Accreditation (Top)

1. The following Steps shall be followed when applying for accreditation:

   1. To obtain the application form for accreditation from the Unit, the "List of Documents Necessary for Accreditation" and a copy of the Instructions, the applicant shall pay the fees specified in clause (a/1) of article (12).

   2. The applicant shall submit to the Unit the documents required as per the "List of Documents Necessary for Accreditation" within 60 days from the date of submitting the application form.

   3. The applicant shall provide any other documents or information required by the Unit relevant to the scope of accreditation.

   4. The Unit checks the completeness of the submitted documents and informs the applicant in writing of the starting date of the official accreditation procedure as soon as it finishes such checks.

    

2. The application for accreditation shall be rejected in any one of the following cases:

   1. If the applicant fails to submit the documents referred to in Clause (a/2) of Article (4) within the specified period of this Article.

   2. If 14 days elapse from informing the applicant of the non-conformities found in the quality manual without informing the Unit of a date on which it intends to submit a corrected version of the quality manual.

   3. If the corrected version of the quality manual is not submitted to the Unit within the period agreed upon in Sub-clause (c/1) of Article (9).

   4. If after reviewing the corrected version of the quality manual, more than 60% of the non-conformities are not closed out.

    

3. The applicant shall be informed of the rejection decision and the reasons thereof. Re-application for accreditation is allowed only after the elapse of 60 days from the rejection date.

Article (5) : The Technical Accreditation Committees (Top)

1. The Director General shall form the following committees for the purpose of granting accreditation according to the internal procedures prepared by the Unit:

   1. The Accreditation Committee.

   2. The Technical Committee.

   3. The Appeals Committee.

2. The Unit is entitled to form other technical committees, as necessary, for accreditation purposes.

3. These committees shall take over the tasks assigned to them by the Unit in accordance with its internal procedures.

Article (6) : The Quality Assessors (Top)

1. The Unit decides upon the appointments of the quality assessors to undertake the tasks assigned to them in accordance with the internal procedures of the Unit.

2. The Unit is entitled to contract quality assessors other than its staff in accordance with the aforementioned internal procedures.

3. The Unit shall inform the applicant of the names of the selected quality assessors. The applicant has the right to object to any of these names and request their replacement (the objection must be justified).

Article (7) : The Technical Assessors and/or Technical Experts (Top)

1. The Unit decides upon the appointments of the technical assessors proposed by the Technical Committee in accordance with the internal procedures of the Unit in order to assess the technical competence of the applicant or the accredited body and to ensure compliance with the specified requirements. These assessors shall take over the tasks assigned to them in the aforementioned procedures.

2. The Unit is entitled to appoint technical experts to:

   1. Assist the assessment team in assessing the technical competence of the applicant and to ensure compliance with the specified requirements in case competent technical assessors are not available, or

   2. Train the technical assessors nominated by the Technical Committee, or

   3. Take over any other technical tasks to support the implementation of the accreditation procedures in accordance with the internal procedures of the Unit.

3. The technical experts are selected according to the internal procedures of the Unit based on the purpose for which they were appointed. The technical experts shall take over the tasks assigned to them in accordance with the internal procedures of the Unit.

4. The Unit is entitled to subcontract technical assessors and/or technical experts other than its staff in accordance with the aforementioned procedures.

5. The Unit shall inform the applicant of the names of the selected technical assessors and/or technical experts. The applicant has the right to object to any of these names and request their replacement (the objection must be justified).

Article (8) : The Assessment Team (Top)

1. The Unit decides upon the formation of the assessment team consisting of quality assessors and technical assessors and/or technical experts.

2. The assessment team shall include at least two members.

3. The Unit shall assign a lead assessor, provided that he/she is the most experienced of the assessment team in the assessment scope in accordance with the internal procedures of the Unit.

4. The assessment team shall review the quality manual, assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the quality management system and the technical competence of the applicant or the accredited body according to the specified requirements, and thereafter prepare the report referred to in Article (11).

Article (9) : Review of the Quality Manual (Top)

1. The quality assessor shall review the quality manual according to the specified requirements within a period of time specified by the Unit.

2. The Unit accepts the quality manual if the quality assessor deems that it complies with the specified requirements. The applicant shall be informed thereof.

3. If the quality assessor finds non-conformities in the quality manual, the unit shall inform the applicant thereof as soon as the quality assessor concludes reviewing the quality manuals. The following actions shall be taken:

   1. The applicant shall define a corrective action period within 7 days from the date of being informed about the nonconformities.

   2. The corrected version of the quality manual shall be reviewed upon resubmission. It shall be accepted if non-conformities are closed out. The applicant shall be informed of the acceptance of the corrected version of the quality manual.

4. After completing the review of the quality manual, the Unit prepares for the on-site assessment.

Article (10) : The On-site Assessment of Competence (Top)

1. After accepting the quality manual, the assessment team shall make an on-site assessment of the applicant's competence in performing the tests or calibrations or certification tasks defined in the scope of accreditation according to the specified requirements.

2. The assessment shall cover both the quality management system and the technical competence of the applicant.

3. The Unit Director shall determine the number of the working days required for the on-site assessment. As a general rule, the number of working hours per working day shall not be less than seven and shall not exceed nine, excluding the time allocated for breaks.

4. If the applicant is found to be in compliance with the specified requirements, the lead assessor shall inform the applicant immediately thereof.

5. If the assessment team find non-conformities, the lead assessor shall inform the applicant thereof, and the following actions shall be taken:

   1. The applicant shall specify the corrective action period and the corrective actions to be taken in the closing meeting of the on-site assessment.

   2. In case the corrective action period exceeds 8 months from the date of the on-site assessment of the applicant, the Unit shall conduct an additional on-site assessment. The applicant shall pay any extra fees and expenses resulting from the reassessment.

   3. The applicant shall be deemed competent if the corrective actions taken are satisfactory and lead to closing out all non-conformities. The applicant shall be informed thereof.

Article (11) : The Assessment Report (Top)

1. The assessment team shall submit a report to the Unit after assessing the quality manual, the quality management system and the technical competence of the applicant, and after verifying that all non-conformities have been closed out within the corrective action period. The assessment report shall be submitted within 14 days after the end of the corrective action period.

2. The report shall contain the findings of the assessment of the applicant's quality management system, the technical competence and the team recommendations concerning the accreditation.

3. After the the report is reviewed by the Unit, it is sent to the relevant sectorial working group of the Technical Committee for review, if necessary, to evaluate the assessment results and submit its recommendations to the relevant accreditation committee thereafter. The relevant accreditation committee shall in turn review the report and take its final decision concerning the accreditation according to the recommendations of the Technical Committee.

4. Members of the assessment team are not allowed to take part in the final evaluation of the report, or be members in the accreditation committee or the relevant sectorial working group of the Technical Committee.

Article (12) : Fees and Expenses (Top)

1. The applicant shall pay all fees resulting from the operation of the accreditation system:

2. 1- The assessors or the technical experts associated with the assessment of the quality manual or the assessment of the quality management system or the technical competence shall be paid their fees as follows:

2. If the assessors appointed to review the quality manual or assess the quality management system or the technical competence are from the Unit staff, the Unit shall get 25% of their fees.

3. The applicant shall pay travel and accommodation expenses of assessors who are brought from outside Jordan as well as the transport expenses of Jordanian assessors to and from the applicant's premises.

3. The Unit shall pay each member of the committees formed for the purpose of accreditation a remuneration of JD 20 per meeting with a maximum of JD 140 per year including the sectorial working groups of the Technical Committee and in accordance with the internal procedures of the Unit, with the exception of the Unit staff.

4. The Unit shall pay each technical expert appointed to undertake technical tasks other than the assessment aforementioned in Clause (b/1). The Unit Director shall determine the fees for the technical experts based on the type of the tasks assigned to him/her and in consultation with the expert.

Article (13) : Granting the Accreditation (Top)

1. The applicant shall be granted an accreditation certificate demonstrating the scope of accreditation valid for five years, based on the decision of the relevant accreditation committee and after payment of the fees stated in Article (12).

2. The accredited body is entitled to use the Jordanian Accreditation System Logo on its test reports, calibration certificates and certificates of conformity within the scope of accreditation and in accordance with the internal procedures of the Unit.

Article (14) : Surveillance and Re-assessment (Top)

1. The Unit shall make the necessary arrangements to ensure the continuous compliance of the accredited body with the specified requirements. This is done through conducting surveillance visits and re-assessing the competence of the accredited body periodically.

2. The Unit shall prepare a five-year time schedule in which the dates of the surveillance visits as well as those of the re-assessments are specified.

3. a- The length of the time period between consecutive surveillance visits is dependent upon the size of the accreditation scope and the competence of the accredited body. As a general rule, this time period shall not exceed 12 months for the first surveillance visit, and 18 months for the following surveillance visits.                                                                                              b- For the re-assessments, this period shall not exceed 60 months, as a general rule.

4. The accredited body shall pay the fees stated in Article (12) of the Instructions.

Article (15) : Expansion of the Scope of Accreditation (Top)

1. The accredited body is entitled to expand its accreditation scope by adding new test or calibration methods or adding new certification activities to the scope of accreditation.

2. The accredited body shall inform the Unit of its intension to expand the scope in writing. In this case, the Unit shall follow the same previous accreditation procedures to assess the compliance of the new scope of the accredited body with the specified requirements referred to in these instructions, provided that the assessment of the new scope will be carried out in the next surveillance visit.

3. The accredited body is entitled to request the assessment of the new scope before the date of the next surveillance visit, and it shall pay the assessment fees accordingly.

4. A new accreditation certificate shall be issued reflecting the new accreditation scope if the accredited body continued to comply with the requirements of the instructions.

5. The accredited body shall pay the fees stated in Article (12) resulting from expanding the scope of accreditation.

Article (16) : Accreditation Renewal (Top)

1. The accreditation is renewable every five years. The renewal application shall be submitted to the unit 60 days before the expiry date of the accreditation certificate. Otherwise, the unit would deem the accreditation cancelled from the expiry date of the certificate.

2. The accredited body is entitled to change the accreditation scope in the renewal application by adding or cancelling some test or calibration methods or certification methodologies.

3. If the accredited body changes its accreditation scope in the renewal application, the unit shall follow the same accreditation procedure referred to in the Instructions in order to ensure its continuous compliance with the specified requirements.

4. The accredited body shall pay the fees stated in Article (12) resulting from the renewal of accreditation.

Article (17) : Ensuring Confidentiality (Top)

The Unit shall make all necessary arrangements to ensure the confidentiality of all documents and information provided from or about the laboratory or the certification body in accordance with the internal procedures of the Unit.

Article (18) : Changes to the Accreditation Requirements (Top)

1. The Unit shall publish basic changes to the accreditation requirements specified in the Standard, Guide 1, Guide 2, or Guide 3 in the Official Gazette.

2. The accredited body shall contact the Unit within 21 days from the date of promulgation of such changes in the Official Gazette in order to agree upon the necessary period of time to carry out the necessary changes according to the new requirements (amendments) of the Standard or any of the three Guides.

3. After the time period referred to in Clause (b) is expired, the Unit - through the appropriate assessment team - shall assess, if required, the compliance of the accredited body with the changes through the periodically conducted surveillance visits.

4. The relevant accreditation committee shall suspend accreditation temporarily – either for the whole or part of the scope of accreditation – for a period of time not exceeding 60 days – based on Article (22) – in either of the following cases:

   1. If the accredited body does not contact the Unit within 21 days from the date of promulgation of the changes in the Official Gazette.

   2. If the accredited body does not comply with the changes within the time period referred to in Clause (b).

5. If the accredited body does not take any action to comply with the new requirements within the suspension period referred to in Clause (d), the accreditation committee shall withdraw the accreditation (either partially or totally).

Article (19) : Amendments to the Standard(s) Test or Calibration Methods (according to which accreditation was granted) (Top)

1. If the accredited lab is using test or calibration methods published in national or international standard(s), it shall use the latest issue of such standard(s).

2. If the issuing bodies of these standards make basic amendments thereto, the accredited lab shall comply with these new amendments within a period of time specified by the Unit in consultation with the accredited lab.

3. The Unit shall assess the compliance of the accredited lab with the new amendments within the specified period.

4. The relevant accreditation committee shall suspend accreditation temporarily – either partially or totally – for a period of time not exceeding 60 days – based on Article (22) – if the accredited lab does not comply with the amendments on the standards within the time period referred to in Clause (b).

5. Furthermore, if the accredited lab does not take any actions to comply with the new requirements within the suspension period referred to in Clause (d), the relevant accreditation committee shall withdraw the accreditation (either partially or totally).

Article (20) : Withdrawal of the Standard(s) Test or Calibration Methods (according to which accreditation was granted) (Top)

If the accredited lab is using test or calibration methods published in national or international standard(s), and if the issuing bodies withdraw any of them, the accreditation shall be affected as follows:

1. If the accredited lab intends to stop using the method(s) published in the withdrawn standard(s), these methods shall be cancelled from the accreditation scope and a new accreditation certificate shall be issued to reflect the new status.

2. If the accredited lab continues using the method(s) published in the cancelled standard(s), the Unit shall be informed thereof in order to ensure that these test methods are validated and in compliance with the technical requirements of the standard. Based on that, the decision about sustaining the accreditation or withdrawing it is taken by the relevant accreditation committee.

Article (21) : Changes in the Accredited Body (Top)

1. The accredited body shall notify the Unit of any intended changes that may affect the following:

   1. The organization chart; which includes changes in personnel whose work affects the quality of the accredited test or calibration results or certification activities.

   2. The quality management system.

   3. The quality manual.

   4. The means of publicizing the accreditation agreed upon with the Unit.

   5. The equipment or tools used in the accredited test or calibration methods.

   6. The premises, facilities or the environmental conditions affecting the accredited test or calibration methods.

   7. The legal or commercial status of the accredited body.

   8. Any other changes which might affect the accreditation scope.

2. The Unit shall check the compliance of the accredited body with the requirements of the Instructions, in view of any of the aforementioned changes, through the periodically conducted surveillance visits.

Article (22) : Withdrawal or Suspension of the Accreditation (Top)

1. The relevant accreditation committee is entitled to suspend accreditation temporarily – either for the whole or part of the accreditation scope – if the assessment team finds major non-conformities in the accredited body during the surveillance visits or re-assessments that might cast doubt on its competence to perform the tests or calibrations or certification methodologies specified in the scope of accreditation, or if the accredited body does not comply with any other procedures relevant to accreditation set by the Unit. The suspension period shall not exceed 60 days.

2. The accredited body shall be informed of the suspension decision, whether it is total or partial, and the reasons thereof as soon as it is taken.

3.  

   1. In case of total suspension: If the suspension period expires and the accredited body is still not in compliance with the necessary requirements, the relevant accreditation committee shall withdraw the accreditation certificate from the accredited body.

   2. In case of partial suspension: If the suspension period expires and part of the activities of the accredited body is still not in compliance with the necessary requirements, the relevant accreditation committee shall cancel the said part from the previous accreditation scope. A new accreditation certificate shall be issued clarifying the current accreditation scope.

Article (23) : Appeals (Top)

1. The accredited body whose accreditation was either withdrawn or suspended – totally or partially – shall have the right to lodge an appeal to the Unit within 30 days from the date on which the withdrawal or the suspension decision was taken.

2. The Director General shall form an appeals committee to consider the appeal and make recommendations in accordance with the internal procedures prepared by the Unit for this purpose.

3. The members of the assessment team, against whom the appeal was raised, shall neither take part in discussing it nor in making recommendations.

4. The Unit is entitled to use persons other than its staff to participate in the work of the appeals committee work, provided that they have the necessary experience, competence and impartiality. The appealing party shall be charged with all the expenses resulting from arrangements taken to resolve its appeal.

5. The Unit shall inform the appealing body of the decision taken by the appeals committee concerning its appeal and the reasons thereof. This decision is deemed final.

Article (24) : Voluntary Withdrawal of Accreditation (Top)

1. If the accredited body decides to withdraw voluntarily some of its accredited test or calibration methods or certification methodologies from its accreditation scope, it shall inform the Unit of the date on which this partial withdrawal will start to be effective. The old accreditation certificate shall be replaced with a new one reflecting the current accreditation scope.

2. If the accredited body decides to withdraw voluntarily from accreditation, it shall inform the Unit in good time of the date on which it will withdraw totally from accreditation. The accreditation is deemed withdrawn after that date.

Article (25) : Foreign Accreditation (Top)

1. If a lab or certification body that has been granted accreditation by a foreign accreditation body for a certain scope of accreditation applies for accreditation to the Unit for the same scope, the Unit, in co-operation with the relevant sectorial workgroup in the Technical Committee and the relevant accreditation committee, shall check the criteria upon which the foreign accreditation was granted and accordingly the following actions are taken:

   1. If such criteria are similar to those described in the Instructions, the Unit shall grant the Jordanian accreditation without following all the accreditation procedures. All the provisions of the Instructions shall then be applicable to the accredited body.

   2. If such criteria are different than those described in the Instructions, the Unit shall follow all the accreditation procedures taking into consideration that this is an accredited body.

2. If a lab or certification body which has been granted accreditation by a foreign accreditation body for a certain scope of accreditation applies for accreditation to the Unit for a different scope, the Unit shall follow the complete accreditation procedures described in the Instructions.

Article (26) : Promulgation in the Official Gazette (Top)

1. The Unit promulgates the following in the Official Gazette:

   1. Granting, expanding and renewal of accreditation.

   2. Withdrawal of accreditation – either partially or totally – and the reasons thereof. These shall be promulgated after 30 days from the date of taking the decision of withdrawal.

   3. Amendments to the Standard, Guide 1, Guide 2 or Guide 3.

   4. Amendments to the Instructions.

2. In case of withdrawal of the accreditation, if the accredited body lodges an appeal to the Institution, the withdrawal decision shall not be promulgated in the Official Gazette until the Director General has made his decision regarding this appeal.

Article (27) : General Provisions (Top)

1. If a case arises that is not tackled in the Instructions or if any conflict regarding the implementation of the Instructions comes up, it shall be referred to the Director General who is entitled to make the appropriate decision thereof.

2. All formerly accredited labs by the institution prior to the issuance of the instructions which intend to sustain their accreditation according to the new criteria set up herein shall adjust their current situation and comply with requirements of the instructions.

3. These Instructions supersede and replace "The Instructions for Administration and Implementation of Accreditation of Testing and Calibration Laboratories No. (4) for the Year 2001".

Article (28) : Legal Violations of the Instructions (Top)

If an accredited body violates any of the Instructions, the Director General shall be entitled to penalize the violator as is commensurate with the violation and in accordance with the provisions of the Law.