Institute of European Standards and Quality 
Using this glossary
These explanations describe terminology used on the website. The formal definitions and requirements of an applicable standard, law or programme take precedence for work carried out under it. The context of a term matters as much as its label.
Find a term
Terms are grouped below by their use. Search the page for a word or consult the frequently asked questions for practical distinctions. Related programme and publication pages explain how a term applies to a particular activity.
Standards and assessment
Accreditation: formal recognition of a body's competence for specified activities. Its scope is essential to a claim of accredited work.
Assessment: examination against identified requirements or criteria, using a stated method and scope.
Attestation: a statement issued following a decision about fulfilment of specified requirements.
Certification: third-party attestation under an applicable certification scheme. The object and scope must be identified.
Conformity assessment: activities used to establish whether specified requirements are met.
Criteria: the requirements or conditions against which evidence is considered.
Inspection: examination of an identified object through the applicable inspection method and requirements.
Programme or scheme: the rules, criteria and procedures governing a defined activity and its result.
Scope: the object, activities, characteristics, sites, period or other boundaries to which work or a result applies.
Standard: an identified document setting out agreed requirements, specifications or guidance within its stated scope.
Standardisation: the activity through which standards and related deliverables are developed and maintained.
Testing: determination of characteristics using a specified method.
Validation: confirmation of the plausibility of a claim concerning an intended use or future outcome, where that is the applicable activity.
Verification: a context-dependent term. It may mean checking an issued record, or a defined professional activity concerning a claim. These uses are distinguished on this website.
Evidence and document status
Corrective action: action addressing the cause of an identified nonconformity; its adequacy requires review under the applicable procedure.
Evidence: information relevant to the question and criteria being examined, with a basis for considering its reliability.
Finding: a recorded result of considering evidence against a requirement or criterion.
Nonconformity: failure to meet a specified requirement within the subject examined.
Superseded: replaced by a later identified version. Earlier use must be considered in its original context.
Traceability: an ability to follow an identified object or information through defined stages. The particular system determines what relationship is tracked.
Withdrawal: formal removal of a result or document from its applicable status under the relevant rules. It is distinct from a broken download link.
Participation and learning
Appeal: a request to review an eligible decision under the applicable procedure.
Complaint: an expression of dissatisfaction about a service, conduct or related matter within the complaints procedure.
Conflict of interest: a relationship or interest that can affect, or create a relevant risk to, an impartial activity or decision.
Member: an individual or organisation admitted under the membership rules. Membership is not an assessment result.
Partner: a party to a defined cooperation arrangement, described within the agreed scope.
Certificate of attendance: a record that the identified person participated in the stated activity.
Certificate of completion: a record that the stated course-completion conditions were met. The conditions may include specified learning activities or assessment.
Learning outcome: the knowledge or task capability that an activity is designed to develop and, where applicable, assess.
Sources and context
For formal source material, consult the relevant publisher and programme. Useful public introductions include ISO on conformity assessment, UKAS on accreditation and certification and the European Commission on product conformity assessment.
Ask about terminology
Identify the term, page or document and the context in which it is being used. A terminology question connected with a particular result should include the issuer, document type and reference.