Subcontracting shall be limited to specific tasks. The subcontracting of the auditing of quality management systems or of products related reviews in its entirety is not allowed. The conformity assessment body shall in particular keep internal the review of the qualification and the monitoring of the performance of the external experts, the experts’ assignment to specific conformity assessment activities, and the final review and decision-making functions.

Where a conformity assessment body subcontracts specific tasks or consults external experts related to the conformity assessment, it shall have a policy describing the conditions under which subcontracting or the consultation of external experts may take place. Any subcontracting or consultation of external experts shall be properly documented and be subject to a written agreement covering, among others, confidentiality and conflict of interests.

The conformity assessment body shall establish procedures for assessing and monitoring the competence of all subcontractors and external experts used.