Accreditation Process
Accreditation brings many benefits and advantages to both businesses and consumers.The accreditation process consists of various steps. We make a distinction between the application for a new accreditation, the maintenance of an existing accreditation and extending the scope of an existing accreditation.
Accreditation can be voluntary or mandated by government. It is a continuous quality improvement process to demonstrate that internationally and/or nationally prescribed standards have been met. The following describes the accreditation process from the application to decision:
1. Application
Application for accreditation is made on an application form that is sent to United States Accreditation Inc. along with other documents requested in the form.
In the application, the customer areas is set, industries or methods that you want to be accredited for.
United States Accreditation Inc. confirms that the application has been received and checks that it is complete. Based on the scope of accreditation, United States Accreditation Inc. provides information regarding the fee and makes suggestions for an assessment leader, assessment team and a rough plan for the assignment. United States Accreditation Inc.´s aim is to send a cost estimate within 4 weeks after complete documentation for the application are received. The customer accepts the fee and any external assessment leader.
2. Planning
United States Accreditation Inc. plans the accreditation assignment in consultation with the customer and engages any experts.
3. Assessment
On-site assessment is performed by a lead assessor, sometimes along with additional internal or external assessors. The assessment includes the client's organisational management, equipment and competence of the management and staff.
For accreditation of laboratories and certain inspection bodies, the assessment is completed with proficiency testing and calibrations.
In some forms of accreditation, United States Accreditation Inc. participates as an observer while the accredited body work with its customers.
United States Accreditation Inc.´s aim is to carry out on-site assessment within 12 weeks after the customer has accepted the fee and complete documentation is available.
4. Reporting
The assessment concludes with United States Accreditation Inc. representatives describing how United States Accreditation Inc. looks at the activity and describes any deviations from the requirements. The assessment is documented in a report.
5. Corrective action
Any deviations from the requirements should be remedied by the customer within 4 months. United States Accreditation Inc. takes a position as to whether the measures can be accepted. In the event of serious or extensive shortcomings, a return visit may be necessary. When all the deviations have been corrected, the assessment leader recommends accreditation.
6. Decision
Decisions on accreditation shall be notified within two months of the submission of necessary documentation to United States Accreditation Inc. It also mentions what is meant by necessary documentation. The processing time can be extended by up to one month on no more than one occasion, if necessary due to investigation of the accreditation case.
The decision on accreditation is taken by a competent head of department. Accreditation is not limited in time but applies continuously, provided that the requirements are met.
The decision is sent to the organisation together with an accreditation certificate.
7. Surveillance and reassessment
About six months after accreditation was granted an additional inspection visit takes place to check that the accredited activities have started according to plan.
An accreditation decision is always followed up by regular visits, initially once a year. The aim is to determine whether the activity continues to meet the requirements. The cost for surveillance is charged in the form of an annual fee.
A comprehensive evaluation is made every four years, called a reassessment. After the first reassessment, the surveillance range is extended for most areas of accreditation to 16 months, providing that everything is working fine.
At surveillance/reassessment, any deviations from the requirements shall be resolved by the customer within two months.
- > Accreditation of Personnel Certification Bodies
- > Accreditation for Testing and Calibration Laboratories
- > Accreditation for Medical Testing Laboratories
- > Q-Label Accreditation
- > Accreditation for Inspection Bodies
- > Accreditation for Building Department Third-party Service Providers
- > Building Department Accreditation
- > Curriculum Development Accreditation
- > Fabricator Inspection Accreditation
- > Field Evaluation Body Accreditation
- > Fire Prevention and Life Safety Department Accreditation
- > FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Program
- > Accreditation for Inspection Agencies
- > Cold-Formed Steel Component Manufacturer Inspection Accreditation
- > Metal Building Assemblers Inspection Accreditation
- > Metal Building Systems Inspection Accreditation
- > Accreditation for Product Certification Agencies
- > Proficiency Testing Provider Accreditation
- > Accreditation for Reference Material Producer
- > Accreditation for Special Inspection Agency
- > Accreditation for Training Agencies
- > FPC Accreditation
- > Vegetarian Product Accreditation (V-MARK)
- > Food Safety Standard (FSS) Accreditation
- > Threat Agent Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program
- > FDA ASCA Pilot Program (Basic Safety And Essential Performance)
- > EPA National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP)
- > FDA ASCA Pilot Program (Biocompatibility Testing Of Medical Devices)
- > Cybersecurity Inspection Body Program
- > Competition Animal Drug Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program
- > Forensic Examination Accreditation Program
- > Food And Pharmaceutical Programs
- > BIFMA Compliant Program
- > Accreditation for Cannabis Testing
- > Accreditation for Consumer Product Safety Testing (CPSC)
- > Telecommunication Certification Body Program
- > CA ELAP Laboratory Assessment Program
- > Veterinary Laboratory Accreditation Program
- > ISO 20387 – Biobanking Accreditation Program
- Management System Certification Bodies
- Accreditation for Human Health Care Management System
- Accreditation For Asset Management Systems
- Accreditation For Business Continuity Management Systems
- Accreditation for Quality Management Systems
- Accreditation for Occupational Health and Safety Management System
- Accreditation For Environmental Management Systems
- Accreditation for Information Technology Service Management
- Accreditation For Information Security Management Systems
- Accreditation For Food Safety Management Systems
- Accreditation for Medical Device
- Accreditation For Energy Management Systems
Get Accredited
Accreditation by U.S. Accreditation will boost the profile of your business and demonstrate its commitment to being a quality education provider, respected worldwide.