Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:
Certification bodies must remain independent and impartial. If a certification body (ABC-CERT) provides consulting services to an organization through its subsidiary (Consultancy ABC), it cannot later certify the same organization.
Clause References:
* ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, Clause 5.2.5 - Impartiality Requirements:
* A certification body must not certify an organization to which it has provided consultancy services.
* ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, Clause 5.2.6:
* Subsidiaries of certification bodies must not provide consulting services to prevent conflicts of interest.
Why is the Correct Answer C?
* Certifying a client after providing consultancy creates a conflict of interest and violates ISO/IEC
17021-1:2015 impartiality rules.
* The certification body (ABC-CERT) and consultancy firm (Consultancy ABC) are related entities
, making it impossible to remain objective and independent.
Why are the Other Options Incorrect?
* A (Waiting two years) # ISO does not specify a time frame; the issue is impartiality, not just time.
* B (Signing an agreement to ensure objectivity) # Conflicts of interest cannot be resolved through an agreement; independence is required.