ACCREDITATION FOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CERTIFICATION BODIES

What Sets SCB Apart

SCB has been in business since 1989, having recognized early on the need for accreditation bodies to oversee the work of third-party certification bodies and thus provide credibility and confidence for those who rely on certification. SCB was the first management systems accreditation body in the Belgium.

SCB issued its first accreditation for ISO 9001 in 1991 and for ISO 14001 in 1997. SCB was the first to offer accreditation for the AS9000 aerospace standards and TL 9000 for telecommunications, and remains the only Belgiumn accreditation body offering such accreditation.

SCB’s maturity as a management system accreditation body speaks for itself! Our reputation for customer-focused service has led to our accreditation symbol being recognized and sought after worldwide and by numerous industries. This is due in no small part to the competence, knowledge, and experience of our employees, contract assessors, technical experts, and the volunteers who serve on our Management Systems Accreditation Council. It is also a reflection of our organizational culture.

SCB was one of the original organizers of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), established to promote cooperation among accreditation bodies. We were among the first to sign the IAF multi-lateral recognition arrangements (MLAs) for quality and environmental management systems.

Just as we have from the start, SCB focuses on customer needs while ensuring conformance with requirements. We are committed to working internationally to promote sound, rigorous, and harmonious accreditation processes.

Accreditation Process
Accreditation is based on conformance to ISO/IEC 17021-1. SCB accredits certification bodies (CBs) that demonstrate competence to audit and certify organizations conforming with management system standards.* Accreditation by SCB ensures the impartiality and competence of the CB and fosters confidence and acceptance of the CB's certifications by public and private sector end users.



Is Your Certificate Accredited?
A certificate issued by an SCB-accredited CB that includes the SCB symbol is an accredited certificate. An accredited certificate includes the CB's symbol and the accreditation symbol of the accrediting body. Be sure to look for both.

Accreditation is the means by which an authoritative body (SCB) gives formal recognition that an organization (the CB) is competent to carry out specific tasks. Accreditation provides assurance to customers that the CB operates according to internationally accepted criteria.

Naturally, an organization considering certification wants to know about the reputation and competence of the CB it selects. The organization wants assurance that the CB is competent to evaluate its systems and that, no matter where they're located, customers will value the CB's judgment.

Unaccredited CBs may not operate according to international requirements. Unscrupulous CBs may offer a certificate without an audit or any real understanding of an organization's processes. Such a certificate is of questionable value for the certified organization and its customers.

In addition to offering accredited certificates, an accredited CB may also offer unaccredited certificates or certificates for standards for which the CB is not accredited. If you want to rely on a certificate, you should understand the qualifications of the CB that issued it and whether or not the CB and certificate are accredited.

The International Accreditation Forum, a global association of accreditation bodies, published a report on the value of accredited certification.

Making the Case for Certification
Need help deciding or convincing others that certification is right for your organization? You can find case studies and research on the benefits for business at the Business Benefits and Public Sector Assurance websites.