Accreditation requirements
Applicants must demonstrate competence, impartiality, and operational readiness before an assessment can be scheduled. The requirements below apply across all IAC programs; program-specific additions are listed at the bottom of this page.
Core eligibility criteria
Every applicant—regardless of program type—must satisfy the baseline criteria in the table below. These criteria derive from ISO/IEC 17011 § 7.2 and the relevant conformity assessment standard (ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO/IEC 17020).
| Criterion | Evidence expected | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Certificate of incorporation or equivalent legal registration | 17011 § 4.3 |
| Documented management system | Quality manual, procedures, and work instructions with version control | 17025 § 8 / 17020 § 8 |
| Technical competence | Personnel qualifications, training records, and competency assessments | 17025 § 6.2 / 17020 § 6.1 |
| Defined scope | Scope statement listing methods, parameters, ranges, or inspection categories | 17011 § 7.8 |
| Impartiality safeguards | Impartiality risk analysis and conflict-of-interest declarations | 17025 § 4.1 / 17020 § 4.1 |
| Internal audit programme | Completed internal audit reports with corrective action evidence | 17025 § 8.8 / 17020 § 8.6 |
| Management review | Meeting minutes, actions, and follow-up records (at least annual) | 17025 § 8.9 / 17020 § 8.7 |
| Equipment & traceability | Calibration certificates, maintenance logs, and traceability chain | 17025 § 6.4–6.5 |
| Proficiency testing / ILC | Participation records and trend analysis (testing & calibration labs) | 17025 § 7.7 |
| Complaint & nonconformity handling | Complaint log, root-cause analysis, and corrective/preventive action records | 17025 § 7.9–7.10 / 17020 § 7.5 |
Competence framework
IAC evaluates competence across four dimensions. Each must be demonstrated through documented evidence and verified during the on-site assessment.
- Technical knowledge: Staff understand the methods, standards, and regulations applicable to the declared scope.
- Practical skill: Personnel can perform testing, calibration, or inspection activities accurately and consistently.
- Decision-making: Results interpretation, uncertainty evaluation, and pass/fail judgments are traceable and defensible.
- System operation: The management system supports continuous improvement, document control, and corrective action.
Self-assessment checklist
Before submitting your application, use the IAC Self-Assessment Checklist to evaluate readiness against every criterion listed above.
Download from Resources →Incomplete applications are the #1 cause of timeline delays. The checklist reduces re-submissions by approximately 40%.
Document submission requirements
All documents must be submitted as PDF files with version number and effective date on every page. The following table summarizes what to include in your application package.
| Document category | Examples | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
| Quality manual | QM with policy statements, org chart, process map | Yes |
| Procedures & work instructions | SOPs, method instructions, sampling plans | Yes |
| Personnel records | CVs, training certs, competency matrices | Yes |
| Equipment register | Asset list, calibration certs, maintenance schedule | Yes |
| Method validation / verification | Validation reports, verification data, uncertainty budgets | Yes (labs) |
| PT / ILC participation | Certificates, trend analyses, follow-up actions | Yes (labs) |
| Internal audit reports | Latest cycle audit report, findings, and corrective actions | Yes |
| Management review records | Meeting minutes, action items, completion evidence | Yes |
| Impartiality analysis | Risk register, CoI declarations, mitigation actions | Yes |
| Sample reports / certificates | Redacted test reports, calibration certificates, or inspection reports | Recommended |
Program-specific requirements
Beyond the common baseline, each program imposes additional criteria derived from its governing standard. Select a program for full details, required documents, and links.
Testing Laboratories
ISO/IEC 17025 — method validation, measurement uncertainty, proficiency testing participation, and sampling procedures.
Program detail →Calibration Laboratories
ISO/IEC 17025 — metrological traceability, uncertainty budgets, environmental controls, and calibration intervals.
Program detail →Inspection Bodies
ISO/IEC 17020 — independence type (A/B/C), inspector qualifications, reporting templates, and regulatory alignment.
Program detail →