The stages of your accreditation journey

ISO/IEC 17021-1

Management System Certification Body Accreditation Program: 7 steps to accreditation

1. 01

   Application submission

   Certification bodies apply for accreditation by submitting an application form with the required documentation, including quality manuals, procedures and evidence of competence in specific management system standards.

2. 02

   On-site office assessment

   QAC uses on-site assessment to evaluate the certification body's compliance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 requirements, through document review, personnel interviews, and observation of assessment activities.

3. 03

   Witnessed assessment

   QAC requires witness assessments in which a QAC assessor observes an auditor conducting an assessment. Witnessing evaluates conformity with accreditation standards and supports impartial, consistent, and reliable practice.

4. 04

   Accreditation committee review

   The accreditation committee reviews the findings to determine whether the certification body meets the accreditation criteria. Before deciding, the committee may request further information or clarification.

5. 05

   Accreditation decision

   The accreditation committee decides accreditation status on the basis of the assessment findings and recommendations. Accredited bodies receive a certificate and an entry in QAC’s official registry.

6. 06

   Annual surveillance assessment

   Accredited certification bodies undergo annual surveillance assessments to evaluate continued conformity with accreditation requirements. These may include site visits, document reviews and interviews with personnel.

7. 07

   Reaccreditation every four years

   The accreditation cycle is four years. To retain accreditation, certification bodies must complete reaccreditation at the end of the cycle through a comprehensive reassessment of competence, management system and compliance with ISO/IEC 17021-1.