DIN EN ISO/IEC 17024 is the internationally recognised standard for bodies that certify persons. It defines the requirements for the organisation, processes, examinations, impartiality and competence of personnel certification bodies, thereby establishing the foundation for trustworthy, comparable and internationally recognised personnel certifications. Certificates issued under this standard are intended to ensure that certified persons possess demonstrated competences for defined activities, functions or occupational profiles.
The publication of the new standard is of particular significance for SECTOR Cert. As an accredited personnel certification body, we were not only users of the existing requirements but actively accompanied the revision. Our company was involved in the NA 147-00-03-30 Working Group on Personnel Certification of the DIN Standards Committee on Quality Management, Statistics and Certification Fundamentals (NQSZ), contributing practical experience from certification practice to the German mirror work on the revision of ISO/IEC 17024.
Furthermore, SECTOR Cert participates in the DAkkS Expert Council on Plant and Product Safety. Through our involvement in this body, we contribute to the technical exchange between the accreditation body, conformity assessment bodies and other interested parties. This engagement enables us to evaluate regulatory developments at an early stage and actively discuss their practical implications for certification bodies.
The new standard introduces numerous technical advancements. These include, among others, requirements for the use of Artificial Intelligence, extended provisions on data security, new regulations on examination supervision, and a stronger consideration of risks and opportunities within the management system. At the same time, the proven fundamental principles of personnel certification u2014 in particular competence, impartiality and fairness u2014 are consistently maintained and harmonised within the CASCO standards system.
With the publication of DIN EN ISO/IEC 17024:2026, the work of the working group was completed and the committee was set to dormant status. This marks the end of the German mirror work on the revision of the standard, and responsibility transitions to the phase of accreditation-related implementation.
For accredited certification bodies, the implementation of the new standard is expected to take place within the framework of the DAkkS regulatory concept. Following the integration of DIN EN ISO/IEC 17024 as a Level 3 standard into the accreditation regulatory framework and after the publication of the revised R-17024, it is anticipated that the transition will occur within the regular accreditation cycle. This allows for an orderly and risk-based introduction of the new requirements within the existing accreditation procedures.
Our goal remains unchanged: to offer competent, independent and internationally recognised personnel certifications and to continue shaping the development of the industry through active engagement in technical, standardisation and accreditation bodies.