Accreditation explained: what is it and why does it matter?
When a certification body (CB) certifies something, it checks whether a management system meets a standard. When an accreditation body accredits a CB, it checks the competence, impartiality and consistent working methods of that assessing organisation. In the Netherlands, the Raad voor Accreditatie (RvA, Dutch Accreditation Council) performs this role.
Accreditation covers more than the assessment of certification bodies. Testing and calibration laboratories can also be accredited, against ISO 17025. In that case, the laboratory itself receives accreditation for specific activities.
The difference: certification vs. accreditation
Example for management system certification:
| Certification | Accreditation of the CB | |
|---|---|---|
| Who receives it? | The organisation with the management system | The certification body |
| Who issues it? | The certification body | A national accreditation body |
| Assessed against? | For example ISO 9001 | ISO/IEC 17021-1 and applicable additional requirements |
| Purpose | Assessing whether the system meets the standard | Assessing whether the CB works competently and impartially |
An ISO 9001 certificate and ISO 17025 accreditation prove different things. A general quality certificate does not automatically show that a laboratory is competent for a specific test.
What does the RvA check at a CB?
The RvA assesses certification bodies against a set of criteria.
| Criterion | What the RvA assesses |
|---|---|
| Competence of auditors | Do the auditors know the standard and the sector? |
| Impartiality | Is there no conflict of interest? |
| Consistency | Are audits carried out in the same way everywhere? |
| Documentation and reporting | Are the audit procedures and reports in order? |
| Internal quality monitoring | Does the CB monitor the quality of its own work? |
The RvA reassesses CBs periodically. An accreditation is therefore not a one-off stamp but an ongoing relationship. If a CB falls short, the RvA can suspend or withdraw the accreditation.
Why accreditation matters when choosing a CB
Check in advance whether your customer, contract, certification scheme or applicable regulations require accredited certification. A certificate without accreditation is not automatically invalid, but it may be unsuitable for the purpose you need it for.
Therefore, ask the CB which accreditation covers your standard and activities. An accreditation logo on the website is not enough on its own: the related scope must match the assessment you need.
Recognised in Europe and internationally
Accreditation bodies work together through mutual recognition agreements. These agreements have a defined scope. The RvA explains its international cooperation . Check the institution concerned and the relevant discipline. Membership of a network does not by itself prove that every activity falls under a recognition agreement.
Practical: how do you check accreditation?
- Identify which accreditation body granted the accreditation.
- Search for the organisation in the official register. For RvA accreditations, that is the RvA register .
- Check the current status and whether the standard and activities are in the scope.
- If in doubt, verify with the accreditation body and with the organisation itself.
A foreign accreditation does not have to appear in the RvA register. Check it with the body that granted it. For laboratories, read step by step how to check the scope of accreditation. For management system certificates, use verify a certificate.
Read more about choosing a reliable CB at choosing a certification body.
Source on certification and accreditation
ISO: certification, accreditation and verification explains that accreditation offers independent confirmation of competence, while certification without accreditation also exists.