CASCO interpretations

Questions may arise about the interpretation of clauses in published ISO/IEC standards on conformity assessment. An interpretation process has been set up to develop consensus-based answers, thus promoting the consistent application of the standards developed by ISO/CASCO.

The decision to establish the interpretation process was taken at the 24^th plenary meeting of ISO/CASCO. An interpretation panel comprising members of the Chairman's policy and coordination group (CPC) and ad hoc experts is set up for each request for interpretation.

The objective of the interpretation panel is not to develop new requirements, but to clarify existing ones. Its interpretations will be considered for inclusion in the relevant standards when these are revised. Please note that the interpretations are not retroactive and have no binding affect unless and until they are included in the revised standards.

Interpretations resulting from the interpretation process may be applied entirely at the discretion of interested parties.

For more information, see this excerpt [PDF, 35kB] from the ISO/CASCO circular announcing the interpretation process (see flowchart [PDF, 14kB] and process [PDF, 31kB]).

• Impartiality interpretation on clause 6.2.1 of ISO/IEC 17021:2006 (July 2009)

• Interpretation on clause15 of ISO/IEC Guide 65:1996 (August 2009)