About IAF

14. Why do inspections?

With the growth of world trade and increasing trade liberalisation, as well as the rapid development of new manufacturing and distribution technologies, has come hundreds of third-party national and multinational inspection bodies.

These organisations examine a huge range of products, materials, installations, plants, processes, work procedures and services, in the private as well as the public sector, and report on such parameters as quality, fitness for use and continuing safety in operation.

The overall aim is to reduce risk to the buyer, owner, user or consumer of the item being inspected. The general requirements for the operation of various types of inspection body are given in the joint International Standard ISO/IEC 17020.

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