ISO/IEC TS 17021-16:2026

ISO/IEC TS 17021-16 is an ISO and IEC technical specification that adds competence requirements for bodies that audit and certify innovation management systems (IMS). It tells certification bodies what personnel involved in IMS audit and certification work need to know about innovation management, and it is intended to be used together with ISO/IEC 17021-1. The document applies to IMS certification based on ISO 56001.

What does ISO/IEC TS 17021-16 specify?

ISO/IEC TS 17021-16 specifies additional competence requirements for personnel involved in the audit and certification process for IMS. It complements the general requirements in ISO/IEC 17021-1 and is written for IMS based on ISO 56001.

The document is organized into:

• Scope
• Normative references
• Terms and definitions
• Generic competence requirements
• Competence requirements for IMS auditors
• Competence requirements for other personnel involved in certification activities
• Annex A, which gives an informative overview of knowledge for IMS auditing and certification
• Bibliography

In practice, that means the document helps a certification body decide what knowledge is needed for application review, audit team selection, audit report review, and certification decisions.

What are the key requirements of ISO/IEC TS 17021-16?

ISO/IEC TS 17021-16 focuses on competence: who needs to know what, and for which certification function. The main requirement is that the certification body defines competence requirements for each function and takes into account both ISO/IEC 17021-1 and the IMS-specific requirements in Clauses 5 and 6.

Certification-body competence framework

Clause 4 requires the certification body to define competence requirements for each function referenced in ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, Table A.1. This matters because IMS certification depends on matching people to tasks such as application review, audit execution, report review, and certification decisions.

IMS auditors

Clause 5 sets the knowledge expected of IMS auditors. They need to understand innovation management principles such as realization of value, future-focused leaders, strategic direction, culture, exploiting insights, managing uncertainty, adaptability, and systems approach. In practice, this means auditors need more than generic audit skill - they need to judge how an organization manages innovation in context.

Clause 5 also requires knowledge of:

• Terms and definitions used in ISO 56001
• Supporting standards in the ISO 56000 family developed by ISO/TC 279
• Uncertainty, risk and opportunity management
• Strategic intelligence and foresight
• Value proposition and value realization
• Innovation intent and innovation strategy
• Intellectual property (IP) and intangible assets
• Innovation portfolio management
• Innovation culture

These topics help the auditor assess whether the IMS is aligned with strategy, uses evidence from experimentation and learning, and supports a balanced innovation portfolio.

Other personnel in certification activities

Clause 6 applies to personnel who conduct the application review, review audit reports, and make certification decisions. They need the generic competence from ISO/IEC 17021-1, understanding of ISO 56001, and knowledge of the IMS-specific topics in Clauses 6.2 and 6.3. This matters because certification decisions depend on people who can interpret IMS results consistently, not only on the auditors themselves.

What terms does ISO/IEC TS 17021-16 define?

ISO/IEC TS 17021-16 uses the terminology from ISO/IEC 17021-1, and it relies on terms from ISO 56001 for IMS-specific understanding.

• Innovation management system (IMS) - the management system that the document treats as the object of audit and certification.
• Certification body - the body that sets competence requirements, reviews applications, and makes certification decisions.
• Application review - the step where the certification body checks the audit team competence needed for the IMS scope.
• Audit report review - the review of audit findings before certification action is taken.
• Certification decision - the formal decision made on whether certification is granted, maintained, or changed.
• Intellectual property (IP) - knowledge resources and related rights that the document links to long-term value and growth.
• Supporting innovation management standards - the related standards from the ISO 56000 family developed by ISO/TC 279.

Who uses ISO/IEC TS 17021-16?

ISO/IEC TS 17021-16 is used by certification bodies that audit and certify IMS against ISO 56001. It is also used by IMS auditors, application reviewers, report reviewers, and certification decision-makers who need to show the right competence for their role.

Organizations seeking IMS certification use it indirectly, because the document shapes how certification bodies select competent personnel. It is relevant across sectors, since ISO 56001 applies to organizations of any type or size.

Which standards are used with ISO/IEC TS 17021-16?

ISO/IEC TS 17021-16 refers directly to two standards:

• ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 - provides the general requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems, including the competence framework that this part extends.
• ISO 56001:2024 - gives the IMS requirements that auditors and other certification personnel need to understand.

What does the ISO/IEC TS 17021-16 document contain?

ISO/IEC TS 17021-16 contains the front matter, introduction, six clauses, an informative annex, and a bibliography. Clause 5 is the main technical section for IMS auditors, while Clause 6 covers other personnel involved in certification activities.

Annex A contains Table A.1, which maps knowledge areas to certification functions. That table is useful when a certification body assigns competence requirements to specific tasks such as team selection, application review, audit report review, and certification decisions. The bibliography cites ISO 19011 for auditing guidance.