New information sheet on process for programme assessment within accreditation procedures

German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) has published a new information sheet on the programme assessment procedure for confirmity assessment shemes.

Programme assessment of schemes owned by private programme owners

In principle, programme owners who are not conformity assessment bodies do not have the right to submit applications. However, DAkkS will accept applications if there is a separate legal basis for such a right.

Programme assessment of conformity assessment bodies

Programme assessment will be carried out exclusively as part of the processing of a CAB accreditation procedure.

The information sheet „M 17011 Annex 2" contains detailed guidance on assessing the eligibility for accreditation of private conformity assessment schemes.

M-17011 Annex 2

Programme assessment of existing schemes  

Changes to existing programmes, and monitoring of these programmes, will continue to be carried out on an ad hoc basis as part of the ongoing accreditation process.

Programme assessment of CAB-owned programmes

In the case of highly complex programmes and new technologies, a CAB may apply for an early programme assessment. This approach is particularly useful where other authorities need to be involved. In such cases, an initial enquiry must first be submitted to the AS 4 Service Department. DAkkS will then decide whether an upstream programme assessment is required.