Major nonconformity: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)
A major nonconformity (French: non-conformité majeure) is a lapse that undermines the ability of the SDG management system to achieve its intended results. Under ISO/IEC 17021-1, examples include an ISO 53001 requirement that is not addressed at all, or serious doubt about whether a process is under control.
Updated: · edition covered: ISO/UNDP 53001:2026
In an ISO/UNDP 53001 audit
Several situations lead an auditor to this grading: no management review ever held, priority SDGs chosen without any analysis, no indicator for the main objectives, or a build-up of minor nonconformities on the same requirement that reveals a wider failure.
No favourable decision is possible while a major nonconformity remains open. The organisation must correct it, and the certification body must verify both the correction and the corrective action, sometimes through a follow-up visit. During the cycle, it can lead to suspension. See the ISO/UNDP 53001 standard.
Major or minor: the tipping points
Three questions guide the grading. Is the requirement addressed at all? Does the lapse affect a result the system is meant to secure? Is it systemic rather than isolated? A missing indicator for one secondary objective may stay minor; no monitoring at all on a priority SDG is major. The auditor states that reasoning in the finding.
See also
- Minor nonconformity: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)A minor nonconformity (French: *non-conformité mineure*) is a genuine deviation from an ISO 53001 requirement that does not, on its own, undermine the ability of the SDG management system to achieve its results.
- Nonconformity: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)A nonconformity (French: *non-conformité*) is the non-fulfilment of a requirement.
- Suspension: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)Suspension (French: *suspension*) is the temporary invalidation of an ISO 53001 certificate, decided by the certification body.
- Corrective action: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)A corrective action (French: *action corrective*) removes the cause of a nonconformity so that it does not happen again or appear elsewhere.