Overview
CEN ISO/TS 23406:2024 (ISO/TS 23406:2024, corrected version 2025-07) is a technical specification for the nuclear sector that sets requirements for bodies that audit and certify quality management systems of organizations supplying products and services important to nuclear safety (ITNS). It complements ISO/IEC 17021-1 and is intended to be used as a criteria document for accreditation, peer assessment or other audit processes when certifying against ISO 19443.
Key topics and requirements
This Technical Specification addresses the full certification lifecycle and specific expectations for certification bodies operating in the nuclear domain. Major topics include:
- Scope and normative references - alignment with ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO 19443.
- Principles - foundations for impartiality, competence and confidentiality.
- General requirements - legal and contractual matters, impartiality management, liability and financing.
- Structural requirements - organizational structure, top management responsibilities, operational control.
- Resource requirements - competence criteria, evaluator selection, use of external auditors/technical experts, personnel records and outsourcing controls.
- Information requirements - public information, certification documents, use of marks, confidentiality and information exchange with clients.
- Process requirements - pre‑certification (application, review, audit programme), audit planning and time determination, multi‑site sampling and multi‑standard situations, initial and surveillance audits, certification decision, maintaining certification, appeals and complaints.
- Management system requirements - internal processes and continual improvement for certification bodies.
- Normative and informative annexes - Annex A (required knowledge and skills), Annex B (audit result summary), Annex C (eligibility criteria for multi‑site sampling).
Practical applications and users
Who uses CEN ISO/TS 23406:2024:
- Accreditation bodies and peer assessors to evaluate certification bodies’ suitability for ITNS-related certification.
- Certification bodies that audit and certify suppliers to the nuclear industry, to align processes with nuclear‑specific expectations.
- Nuclear suppliers and their QA managers to understand certification body requirements and prepare for audits against ISO 19443.
- Regulators and contract authorities who require assurance that supplier certification addresses nuclear safety significance.
How it is applied:
- As a criteria document for accrediting or re‑assessing certification bodies.
- To define competence profiles and training for auditors and technical experts in ITNS areas.
- To structure audit programmes, multi‑site sampling schemes and certification decision workflows specific to nuclear safety implications.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 17021‑1 - Conformity assessment - requirements for bodies certifying management systems (baseline).
- ISO 19443 - Quality management requirements for organizations in the nuclear supply chain (target standard for certification).
- CEN adoption note: this CEN Technical Specification was approved for provisional application and supersedes the 2021 edition.