This European standard specifies general criteria for the competence of impartial bodies performing inspection irrespective of the sector involved. It also specifies independence criteria.

This standard is intended for the use of inspection bodies and their accreditation bodies as well as other bodies concerned with recognizing the competence of inspection bodies.

This set of criteria may have to be interpreted when applied to particular sectors, or to in-service inspection.

This standard does not cover testing laboratories, certification bodies or the suppliers' declaration of conformity, the criteria for which are contained in other European Standards of the EN 45000 series.