Conformity Assessment Standards serve to provide a reference against which organizations can measure themselves as well as guiding third parties performing conformity assessment with a consistent and fair metric. The ISO/IEC 17000 series of standards is a broadly applicable conformity assessment guide that addresses impartiality, confidentiality, complaints and appeals, information disclosure, and the use of management systems, as well as a strong focus on requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems. Conformity and certification of persons, products, processes, and services is a key element as well. Together, the ISO/IEC 17000 series of standards provides a thorough guide to conformity assessment for both those being assessed and those doing the assessing.