Restrictions to on-site assessments abroad remain in place

In view of the continuing tense situation with regard to the rate of new infections, Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle (DAkkS) is adhering to its policy of conducting on-site assessments abroad only in non-risk countries. To protect all those involved, DAkkS is therefore giving precedence to the implementation of remote assessments wherever technically possible.

The decision as to where an on-site assessment abroad can take place is made by DAkkS on the basis of reports from the Robert Koch Institute and the German Federal Foreign Office. In combination with the relevant entry requirements in each case – for example the rules governing quarantine and testing – but also possible restrictions on returning to Germany, DAkkS decides on this basis the extent to which an on-site assessment can be carried out in the country in question. To enable a more accurate evaluation of the possibility of an assessment at the specific location of the conformity assessment body to be assessed, DAkkS subdivides individual large countries into regions and appraises them separately.

These arrangements will be applied by DAkkS until further notice, regardless of whether the on-site assessment is to be conducted on the basis of a statutory or non-statutory accreditation procedure.