Accreditation by IAA ensures that accredited Certification Bodies have been assessed against internationally recognised standards to demonstrate their competence, impartiality and performance capability.

IAA accreditation through the independent evaluation of Certification Bodies, gives confidence to suppliers, customers and consumers and reduces their risks.

The IAA symbol of accreditation is only available to accredited Certification Bodies. This Mark allows prospective users of accredited certification services to make an informed choice.

Accreditation is used on a worldwide basis to facilitate the breaking down of technical barriers to trade.

It is important for suppliers of goods and services to be assessed and audited by independent accredited Certification Bodies to ensure their Management Systems conform to International Standards.

Governments’ obligations under world trading agreements e.g. compliance with EU Directives and the WTO TBT (World Trade Organisation Technical Barriers to Trade) Agreement further enforces the importance of the work undertaken by accreditation agencies such as the IAA.

The IAA’s application fee for certification bodies applying for international accreditation is a non-refundable fee which is payable before application and covers the initial assessment process undertaken by the IAA.

Once a certification body has made a successful application, a one-off registration fee is payable to become fully accredited and receive on-going support from the IAA.

The annual assessment fee is payable before the annual assessment takes place and is required to maintain the certification bodies’ accreditation registration. In addition to the assessment fee, reasonable travel and accommodation fees are payable for the IAA’s assessment team undertaking the assessment.

The IAA has a set fee for on-going membership which is calculated at 5% of each year’s turnover payable in one amount three months after the previous year’s trading has taken place.