ISO 17020, entitled "General Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection", is an internationally recognized standard for the competence of inspection bodies. ISO 17020 should not be confused with ISO 9001, which is specific to quality management systems.  ISO 9001 does not require evaluation of the technical competence of an inspection body and it should not be regarded as an ‘acceptable’ alternative to ISO 17020.

The requirements of ISO 17020 are contained in 14 major sections including:

• Administrative requirements
• Requirements for independence, impartiality, and integrity
• Confidentiality
• Organization and management
• Quality system
• Personnel
• Facilities and equipment
• Inspection methods and procedures
• Handling of inspection samples and items
• Control of records
• Inspection reports and inspection certificates
• Subcontracting
• Complaints and appeals
• Cooperation with other inspection bodies

Like ISO 9001 and ISO 17025, ISO 17020 requires procedures in several important areas, including:

• Procedure to ensure that persons or organizations external to the inspection body cannot influence the results of inspections by the ISO 17020-accredited organization.
• Procedure for feedback
• Procedure for corrective action
• Procedure for the care and maintenance of equipment
• Procedure for selecting qualified suppliers
• Procedure for purchasing
• Procedure for inspection of materials received by the organization
• Procedure for appropriate storage facilities
• Procedure for protecting the integrity of data produced by the organization
• Procedure for ensuring the security of data produced by the organization
• Procedure for dealing with defective equipment
• Procedure(s) for performing inspections
• Procedure(s) for performing non-standard inspections
• Procedure(s) for avoiding deterioration or damage to inspection items
• Procedure for dealing with complaints
• Procedure for dealing with appeals against the results of inspections