Accreditation Fundamentals
Outsourcing and subcontracting in accreditation scopes
How to control outsourced activities without losing traceability or competence.
Why this matters
Credible accreditation depends on consistent methods, clear decisions, and evidence that stands up to independent review. This publication translates essential expectations into practical steps so teams can prepare, communicate, and operate with confidence.
Key requirements and expectations
- Define the role of accreditation in the conformity assessment ecosystem.
- Clarify who the customer is and what competence means in practice.
- Establish scope boundaries and decision authority.
- Maintain evidence that decisions are impartial and consistent.
- Define what can be subcontracted and under what conditions.
- Evaluate subcontractor competence and maintain oversight.
- Ensure contracts preserve data integrity and confidentiality.
Evidence and records to prepare
- Approved governance or program policies tied to the scope.
- Decision logs that show evaluation and decision separation.
- Conflict of interest declarations for key roles.
- Records that show consistent application over time.
- Approved subcontractor lists with evaluation results.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Confusing accreditation (CAB competence) with certification (product or org conformity).
- Scope statements that are vague or inconsistent with capability.
- Uncontrolled templates or outdated procedures.
- Decisions made without traceable rationale.
- Delegating critical activities without control or monitoring.
Practical checklist
- Define scope boundaries and exclusions in plain language.
- Assign accountable roles and document competence.
- Standardize forms, records, and retention periods.
- Run an internal review before external assessment.
- Review contracts for evidence ownership and confidentiality.