Definition of the term accreditation pursuant to ISO/IEC 17011
“Accreditation refers to third-party attestation related to a conformity assessment body conveying formal demonstration of its competence to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks”
UQA accreditation sends a clear message. It says your certification or inspection body can be counted on to perform its duties – in an authoritative and impartial way. It flags that you have been approved by an independent third-party as a professional body that acts with integrity when certifying or inspecting for conformity assessment.
Third-party accreditation is recognized around the world as the highest and most credible type a certification or inspection body can obtain.
Reliability through conformity assessments
Requirements regarding the quality of goods and services are continuously increasing as a result of the liberalisation of global trade and increasing demands by consumers, companies and legislators. Whether for environmental protection, in the food or electrical industry, health care or renewable energy – for these and many other industries, objective testing, calibrations, inspections or certifications therefore play a very important role.
These assessments ensure that tested products, methods, services or systems are reliable with regard to their quality and safety, that they correspond to a technical minimum standard and conform to the standards, guidelines and laws that correspond with the various requirements. These objective attestations are therefore also described as conformity assessments.
Trust through accreditation
However, the trust placed in certificates, inspections, tests or calibrations stands and falls with the competence of the person that renders the assessment service. Many of these so-called conformity assessment bodies therefore confirm the quality of their own work with an accreditation.
As part of the accreditation procedure, they can confirm to an independent accreditation body that they carry out their activities with technical competence, in compliance with statutory and standards-based requirements and at an internationally comparative standard. The accreditation body assesses and monitors the management system and the competence of the conformity assessment body’s assigned personnel.
Therefore accreditations play a key role in warranting the comparability of conformity assessment results and creating trust in the quality and safety of products and services.
What system does UQA use to accredit?
UQA’s accreditation process is systematic and comprehensive in its assessment of an applicant’s capabilities and systems. Before our Board grants an accreditation, the conditions of accreditation – as set out in our detailed accreditation manual must be met. Our accreditation process is open, transparent, fair and ethical – every step of the way.
Once accreditation is granted, you sign an accreditation deed and agree to all of its undertakings. We then monitor compliance and request adjustments or withdraw your accreditation should you not be fully complying. After three years, bodies need to apply to be re-accredited.
UQA provides accreditations to conformity assessment bodies (CAB). These bodies consist of laboratories, certification and inspection bodies, providers of proficiency tests and reference material producers. A conformity assessment body may be accredited by UQA if it meets the requirements of the corresponding international standards.
Body’s Identity Applicable Accreditation Standard
1. Inspection bodies ISO / IEC 17020
2. Certification Bodies for Management System ISO / IEC 17021
3. Certification Bodies for Person ISO / IEC 17024
4. Testing and Calibration Laboratories ISO / IEC 17025
5. Medical Laboratories ISO 15189
6. Certification Bodies for Product ISO / IEC 17065 (Or EN 45011)
7. Validation and Verification Bodies ISO 14065
8. Producers of reference materials ISO Guide 34
UQA accreditation is internationally recognized. This symbol of assurance offers you many direct benefits.
For accredited bodies
Objective proof of quality and competence for the activities of conformity assessment bodies according to international standards Competitive advantages over non-accredited market participants
For companies
Better acceptance of products and services eases market access or makes it possible Proof of competence facilitates the selection of a suitable service provider for the conformity assessment of goods and services
For consumers
more consumer trust in the quality of products and services – notwithstanding a complex global market fewer production errors
or recalls Accreditation throughout the market chain is increasingly important. The business world we live in is growing quickly and is highly complex with many inspectors and certifiers operating without accreditation. This is risky for all players, right through to the ultimate consumer.
Without accreditation there is no certainty that goods and services can be depended upon. On the other hand, accreditation provides certainty in a world where standardisation and certification are an integral part of the global economy. And it supports trade and commerce.
UQA offers accreditation for these themes to support economy, industry and the community to achieve their goals
What are the broad steps involved in applying for accreditation?
Here is a broad description of the broad steps involved in becoming accredited through UQA. More details are in the application pack.
It is important to note that the length of time it takes to become accredited depends heavily on the quality and completeness of your application. If your application is incomplete, UQA will automatically return it to you for further action. We will do this as many times as is required. This will delay your application.
Pre Application
You need to go through the pre-application process so we can assess your organisation’s suitability and determine if we can actually accredit your organisation.
To do this, complete this ‘Application Enquiry Form’ (we need to provide one direct download link). You will be asked to submit information regarding your application. This is the pre-application form. UQA Secretariat staff will review the information provided, and indicate whether you will be able to proceed to the application stage.
Applications
If your organization succeeds in the pre-application process, you can then start the assessment procedure.
To do this you,
We shall review your application to decide if we can accept it. If your application is inadequate at the outset, we are under no obligation to progress your organisation to accreditation.
Note : You need to be confident that your organisation can meet the conditions of accreditation and the criteria relating to the scope of application. This is all explained in the Accreditation Manual.
Assessment
If your application is accepted, then UQA performs a:
1. System’s assessment – examine your documentation and conduct on-site visit. You need to invest time and effort in preparing system documentation.
2. Compliance assessment – conduct an office assessment and witness assessment. You need to demonstrate to us that you can put your systems into practice.
Reporting on Assessment and Accreditation decisions
UQA present its findings to the Accreditation Review Board for a decision on whether to grant accreditation and if conditions are to be placed on the accreditation.
Approved
If your application is approved you are issued a Certificate of Accreditation.
Not approved
If your application is not approved, a letter containing valid reason will be emailed to your official mail ID. It could be that your application is not complete or contains errors. Or your application can be rejected on other grounds too.
You are free to appeal our final decision or make a complaint following a set process.
Post Accreditation Compliance (Surveillance)
If you are accredited, UQA will monitor your compliance throughout your three year accreditation term. This provides you with important feedback on maintaining your systems and performance.
This will include scheduled and unscheduled –
If our surveillance highlights emerging problems, you will need to make changes and it could be that we will have to reduce the scope of your accreditation or terminate your accreditation. If this is the case you will be notified in writing of the reasons why and given the opportunity to appeal these decisions.
Certification is a complex business and systems and practices can get out of alignment. With emerging problems it is critical that you let us know how you are responding. Are you solving the problem? Do you understand the underlying cause of the problem? Does your proposed solution convince us that you are in control?
You inform UQA of what you are going to do through your portal. Then you are responsible for putting changes into practice. If variations have to be made to reduce the scope of your accreditation or terminate you accreditation then you will be notified of the reasons why and given the opportunity to appeal these decisions.
How much will accreditation cost?
The costs of accreditation differ based on the following factors:
These factors will affect the number and type of assessments to be undertaken during the initial assessment and for ongoing surveillance.
Once accredited, the annual fees and certificate fees will be charged. These are published through our accreditation manual, available to all applicant and accredited bodies.
How long will it take for our organization to become accredited after we apply?
The length of time that it will take to gain accreditation will be dependent on how well prepared the applicant is. The major issues that we encounter with applications that extend out the timeframes include:
If all is in good order, UQA can usually schedule the first visit within three months of receipt of application, with the complete process taking between 2-3 months from application to accreditation.
Accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies are authorised to use, an accreditation mark as specified in the ‘Regulation on Accreditation Marks’ and guide.
Every accredited Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) is granted a specific accreditation mark for every conformity assessment activity (such as calibration, testing, inspection, certification of management systems, certification of products, processes and services, certification of personnel, verification …). The use of such accreditation marks is restricted to the specific Conformity Assessment Body.
Use of the accreditation mark is mandatory on all reports / certificates issued by accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies, if at least a part of the conformity assessment activity was performed under the granted accreditation.
Accreditations are generally valid for a period of three or five years depending upon contract requirement that mutually agreed by UQA and Certification Body, but must be monitored by UQA on a regular basis.