How does the accreditation procedure work?

From application and assessment to accreditation.
The accreditation procedure - step by step:

General information

• Conformity assessment bodies, which are interested to be accredited by DAkkS or would like to learn about accreditation can send their question to the International Affairs unit of DAkkS (international [at] dakks [dot] de)
• Information with regard to cost estimates, applicable standards, scopes covered by accreditation and other topics can be obtained
• Cost-estimates (non- binding) requested in this phase will be provided free of charge

The DAkkS accreditation process has a total of four phases:

1. Application phase
2. Assessment phase
3. Accreditation phase
4. Surveillance phase

The phases in detail:

1. Application phase

• The accreditation procedure begins by mailing in an accreditation application and the specific appendices to the Central Application Processing (ZAB) of DAkkS in Berlin.
• Optionally, clients can also contact the DAkkS business locations for an advance discussion to obtain information on the intended accreditation or the accreditation procedure.
• The ZAB reviews the application in coordination with the DAkkS division in charge.
• Following a successful review of the application, the assigned customer manager will inform the applicant conformity assessment body (CAB) about the next steps.
• In relation to the application a cost estimate and contract between DAkkS and the client is sent to the client for signature.

2. Assessment phase

• During the second phase of the accreditation procedure, DAkkS will assess the technical competence and management system of the CAB with a team of assessors. The experts will initially review the submitted documents, followed by a site visit on the agreed date. The scope and duration of the assessment will depend on the size of the CAB and the complexity of the process.
• The results are documented in an assessment report.
• Variations noted in the report may be rectified by the client by implementing the relevant corrective measures within two months following the assessment date. They will then be subjected to another review and assessment.

3. Accreditation phase

• In this phase, an accreditation committee (AkA) evaluates the assessment results and decides on whether the accreditation should be granted.
• DAkkS certifies the successful completion of the accreditation phase with an notification on accreditation the accreditation certificate. This means that DAkkS provides the inspected bodies with attestation that the audited assessment services conform to the relevant standards or laws - and hence attests the technical competence of these bodies.
• The accreditation is subsequently listed in the database of accredited bodies.

4. Surveillance phase

• Accreditations are generally valid for five years. To ensure that proof of competence can be provided during this time period, DAkkS also conducts two to three surveillances at fixed intervals - depending on whether the organisation is a laboratory, an inspection or a certification body.
• The accreditation cycle ends at the latest after five years with the expiry of the accreditation or re-accreditation.