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Accreditation Process
A clear sequence from first enquiry to accreditation and ongoing surveillance.
- Enquiry and quotationTell us your activity and scope. We send a quotation and the application pack.
- ApplicationSubmit the signed application, legal documents and your management system documents.
- Document reviewAn assessor reviews your documents against the standard and ISA rules.
- Pre-assessmentOptional visit to check readiness before the formal assessment.
- AssessmentOffice assessment and witnessing of your activities by the assessment team.
- Findings closureYou correct any nonconformities with evidence within the agreed time.
- DecisionAn independent decision maker, not involved in the assessment, grants or refuses.
- Certificate and surveillanceCertificate and scope are published. Surveillance yearly, reassessment in year four.
Fees
Fees depend on the programme, scope size, number of sites and assessment days. A written quotation is issued before any work starts.
| Fee | When charged |
|---|---|
| Application fee | With the application |
| Assessment days | Per assessor day, for each assessment |
| Annual accreditation fee | Each year the accreditation is held |
| Travel and expenses | At cost, where applicable |
Rights and obligations
Accredited bodies may
- Use the ISA accreditation mark within their scope
- Refer to their accreditation in the approved form
- Appeal decisions and make complaints
Accredited bodies must
- Meet the standard and ISA rules at all times
- Notify ISA of significant changes
- Allow surveillance and witnessing
- Pay fees when due
Suspension, withdrawal and reduction of scope
When can accreditation be suspended?
When an accredited body fails to meet requirements, does not allow surveillance, misuses the accreditation mark or does not pay fees. A suspended body must not issue accredited certificates or reports until reinstated.
When is accreditation withdrawn?
When the reasons for suspension are not resolved in the agreed time, or at the request of the accredited body. Withdrawn accreditations remain listed for 12 months.
Can the scope be extended?
Yes. Apply for the extension. ISA assesses the new activities before they are added to the scope.