This International Standard specifies general requirements for accreditation bodies assessing and accrediting conformity assessment bodies (CABs). It is also appropriate as a requirements document for the peer evaluation process for mutual recognition arrangements between accreditation bodies.

Accreditation bodies operating in accordance with this International Standard do not have to offer accreditation to all types of CABs.

For the purposes of this International Standard, CABs are organizations providing the following conformity assessment services: testing, inspection, management system certification, personnel certification, product certification and, in the context of this International Standard, calibration.