Accreditation Programs
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Explore AccreditationAbout CSEAB
An accreditation body that evaluates the competence and impartiality of the organisations people rely on for certification, inspection and testing.
Overview
Who we are
CSEAB is an accreditation body for conformity assessment bodies: the certification bodies, inspection bodies and laboratories whose work underpins product safety, quality and trade.
Our work is to determine, on the basis of objective evidence, whether these organisations are competent to carry out specific activities and whether they do so impartially and consistently. We do this by assessing them against the ISO/IEC standard that applies to their activity, granting accreditation for a clearly defined scope, and monitoring them throughout the accreditation cycle.
Accreditation does not replace the responsibility of a conformity assessment body for its own decisions. It provides an independent check that the body has the systems, people and controls needed to make those decisions reliably.
Direction
Purpose, vision and mission
PURPOSE
Why CSEAB exists
To give users of certificates, inspection reports and test results an independent, evidence-based reason to trust them.
VISION
What we work towards
Conformity assessment that is accepted with confidence because the competence behind it has been properly demonstrated.
MISSION
How we get there
To assess conformity assessment bodies rigorously and fairly against international standards, and to make the outcome of that assessment clear to the public.
Core Values
The principles behind every decision
Competence
Judgements are made by people with proven knowledge of the standard and the technical field.
Impartiality
Commercial, financial or personal interests are not allowed to influence assessment or decisions.
Confidentiality
Information obtained during accreditation is protected and used only for its intended purpose.
Transparency
Requirements, processes and accreditation status are documented and accessible.
Consistency
Equivalent situations are treated in the same way, wherever and whenever they arise.
Accountability
Decisions are recorded and can be reviewed through complaints and appeals.
Independence & Impartiality
Safeguards built into the process
Impartiality is not a statement of intent. It is the result of specific controls applied at each stage of accreditation.
Raise a concern- SeparationThe people who decide on accreditation are not the people who carried out the assessment.
- DeclarationsAssessors declare any relationship with an applicant before they are assigned.
- No consultancyAccreditation is not combined with consultancy to the bodies being assessed.
- Equal accessAccreditation is available to any applicant that meets the published requirements.
- Right of appealApplicants and accredited bodies can appeal decisions that affect them.
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Where to go next
Directory
Check the current status and scope of organisations accredited by CSEAB.
Search DirectoryPublications
Read the policies, procedures and criteria that govern CSEAB accreditation.
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