Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to essential questions regarding ISAB accreditation, the operational distinction between accreditation and certification, global credential verification, and our strict ISO/IEC 17011 impartiality frameworks.
Welcome to the official International Standards & Accreditation Board (ISAB) Knowledge and FAQ Center.
As a premier global accreditation authority, ISAB operates under strict international governance frameworks—specifically ISO/IEC 17011—to ensure that Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) across the world maintain uncompromised competence, integrity, and objectivity.
Navigating the landscape of global compliance can be complex. Whether you represent a Certification Body seeking formal accreditation, an enterprise looking to verify the credentials of an auditor or vendor, or a regulatory stakeholder reviewing our governance models, this directory addresses the primary aspects of our operations.
Below, you will find detailed guidance on our accreditation lifecycle, our real-time global verification portal, our firewall policies regarding consultancy and training, and our formal complaint and grievance mechanisms.
General & Board Authority
ISAB is an independent, global accreditation authority. We provide formal, third-party recognition that a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB)—such as a certification, inspection, or testing agency—is competent, impartial, and capable of performing specific assessment activities to international standards.
It is a hierarchy of oversight. Certification is the process where a business is assessed and certified (e.g., to ISO 9001) by a Certification Body. Accreditation is the process where ISAB assesses and approves that Certification Body. Simply put: Certification Bodies evaluate companies, and ISAB evaluates the Certification Bodies.
No. To strictly comply with ISO/IEC 17011 and maintain absolute impartiality, ISAB does not provide consultancy, gap analysis, internal auditing, or direct training services. We maintain a rigorous, legally binding firewall to ensure complete structural and financial separation from any entities operating in the business advisory or training sectors.
For Certification Bodies (CABs)
We accept applications from legally registered Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) seeking accreditation for:
Personnel Certification (ISO/IEC 17024): Auditor and professional competency validation.
Management Systems (ISO/IEC 17021): Quality, Environmental, OHS, etc.
Inspection Bodies (ISO/IEC 17020): Industrial, structural, and technical inspection.
The timeline varies depending on the CAB’s readiness and the requested scope of accreditation. Generally, the process from application review to the final Accreditation Decision (including Office and Witness Assessments) takes between 3 to 6 months.
Accreditation is granted on a standard cyclical basis. To maintain active status, accredited bodies must undergo continuous annual surveillance assessments (including on-site file reviews and witness audits) to prove ongoing competence, culminating in a full reassessment at the end of the cycle.
Global Verification & Registry
All accreditation decisions are governed by our independent Impartiality Committee, which is entirely separate from commercial operations. Our assessors and committee members are bound by strict non-disclosure and conflict-of-interest agreements, ensuring that all decisions are based solely on objective, verifiable audit data.
Yes. If an accredited CAB fails to meet international standards, or if you have concerns regarding their impartiality or competence, you can file a formal grievance through our Contact page. All complaints are routed directly to our Impartiality Committee for rigorous, objective investigation.
Digital Security & Fraud Prevention
All official credentials issued within the ISAB network are registered in our real-time database. Each record is backed by cryptographic verification mechanisms, including secure QR code validation links, preventing unauthorized alterations, fraudulent reproduction, or fake compliance claims.
When a CAB fails to maintain compliance, ISAB updates their status in the public directory to Suspended or Withdrawn immediately. A formal public notice is logged on the ISAB portal, and any new certificates issued by that CAB during a period of suspension or withdrawal are deemed invalid.
Transparency & Governance
Yes. In accordance with ISO/IEC 17011, ISAB maintains a fully transparent public register containing the current accreditation status, approved technical scopes, valid dates, and official office locations of all accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies.
ISAB’s Technical Committees review and update accreditation policies continuously to align with new ISO/IEC revisions, regulatory shifts, and international peer benchmarks. Accredited bodies are provided with formal transition timelines whenever international standards undergo major structural updates.
Technical Scopes & ISO Standards
ISAB evaluates Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) according to their specific operational domain:
ISO/IEC 17024: For bodies certifying the competence of individuals and technical professionals.
ISO/IEC 17021-1: For bodies providing audit and certification of management systems (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001).
ISO/IEC 17020: For bodies performing independent inspections across engineering, construction, and manufacturing.
A Witness Assessment is a key component of our accreditation process. An ISAB technical assessor accompanies a Certification Body’s audit team into the field to observe them auditing an actual client. This allows ISAB to verify that the CAB’s auditors demonstrate true technical competence, objective judgment, and strict adherence to audit protocols in real-world environments.