The announced transition route
UKAS published its ISO/IEC 17024:2026 transition arrangements on 26 October. It plans to begin assessments to the new edition on 1 January 2027. Existing accredited personnel certification bodies can choose transition during 2027; from 1 January 2028 their assessments will use the revised edition. Accreditation to the 2012 edition ceases to be valid from 1 April 2029.
The bulletin asks accredited providers to complete a readiness gap analysis at least one month before their transition assessment. New applications and initial assessments move to the 2026 edition from January 2027. These dates concern bodies certifying people, rather than an employer’s own ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 certificate.
Evidence: UKAS [1]
What the standard covers
ISO/IEC 17024 sets requirements for organisations that certify individuals against defined competence schemes. The third edition was published on 31 March 2026. ISO’s public explanation identifies AI-related provisions, including validation and monitoring of AI-generated outcomes, human oversight and competence in using the tools. This does not make every training provider or every internal auditor subject to the standard.
ISOaudit analysis: ask what a credential demonstrates
For an organisation selecting auditors or other specialists, the useful question is what the particular credential demonstrates for the proposed assignment. Ask for the scheme, the issuing body, the scope covered and a way to check current status. Consider practical experience alongside the credential when deciding who is suitable for the work.
Where a provider uses automated assessment, ask it to explain the role of that technology and the available route for human review. A concise record of the answers is more useful than treating an unfamiliar badge as sufficient evidence. This is a suggested supplier and competence check; it does not imply that personal certification alone proves suitability for every audit.
Original ISOaudit analysis.
ISOAUDIT PRACTICAL STEPS
What to consider next
- Check the exact certification scheme and the issuing body’s current accreditation scope where accreditation is claimed.
- Ask affected personnel certification providers how they are planning the transition.
- Retain evidence of relevant experience and assignment suitability alongside any professional certificate.
These practical steps are ISOaudit’s interpretation. Check the cited information and the requirements that apply to your organisation and certification scope.
SOURCES AND DATES
Check the original information
Publication dates below belong to the sources. They are separate from the date ISOaudit published this article.
- Transition to ISO/IEC 17024:2026 — Conformity assessment — General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons UKAS · Published
- ISO/IEC 17024:2026 — Conformity assessment — General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons ISO · Publication date not stated
- ISO/IEC 17024:2026 IEC · Published
Sources checked 2 November 2026 · Editorial and corrections policy