The Application Process

The Accredit UK certification is an evidence-based evaluation; it is awarded to businesses that can demonstrate, through past performance, that they have met the criteria established within the General Expectations and relevant Segment-Specific Expectations documents.

An Applicant business is certified for three years.  The ICT industry is continually evolving and certified businesses are required to reflect these changes.

Annual re-visits will confirm that a business is following its action plan to address areas of concern and is adapting to changes in the marketplace.  Any areas of the action plan that have not been addressed will need to be discussed and justified with the Assessor. 

The Path To Certification

Below is a path to certification which shows you through the process. 

Download the Path To Certification as a pdf diagram 

1. Interested in Applying for Accredit UK?

• Apply on-line

• Contact Accredit UK for a Marketing Pack

2. Choose Segment(s) To Apply For

• Communications Infrastructure (Formerly ND&I) 

• Software Product Design and Development

• ICT Consultancy

• Solutions & Support

• e-Media and e-Commerce

3. The Application

Complete an Application Form online or from the Marketing Pack and send Accredit UK 50% of the Application Fee. Choose a certification route.

• The Working Towards Status: Businesses that are committed to the Accredit UK principles, but cannot yet demonstrate the required level of evidence based compliance, may apply for the Working Towards mark. Such businesses demonstrate that they are preparing for certification over a 12 month period. This level of certification is awarded for a maximum of 12 months within which the Applicant must either book a full certification visit or withdraw from the Standard. Only Start Up businesses and new entrants to the market are eligible for this status.

• The Full Application: Receive an Applicants' Pack. Reasonable access to Accredit UK Assessors is provided. The Certification visit booking must be made within six months of receipt of the Applicants’ Pack.

4. The Planning and Preparing

The self-assessment Workbooks and Handbooks help the Applicant to prepare for Assessment and find out if they are ready.

5. The Booking

Contact Accredit UK and arrange an assessment visit. The other 50% of the Application Fee is then due. At this point, Accredit UK assigns the Assessor who will be conducting the Assessment and provides the Applicant with the Assessor’s contact details.

6. The Assessment

The Assessor visits and spends around one day with the Applicant. They ask searching questions covering a number of areas – they want evidence that the Applicant does what they say they do.

7. The Award

The Assessor forwards the recommendation to the Awards Panel who make the Award.

• PASS: the Applicant is recommended to Accredit UK for certification to the Standard.

• FAIL: re-apply for certification when ready, but this will not ordinarily be allowed earlier than 12 months from the original application. This timescale is to enable the Applicant to work through their Action Plan and address the major deviations identified and rectify them.

8. The Appeal

Do you want to appeal?

If your appeal is successful, certification will be awarded. If unsuccessful, you must reapply.

9. The Action Plan

An Action Plan will be produced, regardless of outcome, to help every business identify areas for improvement. This is intended to help achieve good practice and act as a basis for continuous improvement.

10. The Review (annual light touch)

The Assessor revisits each year to measure progress against the action plan. Certification can be withdrawn if key issues are not addressed.

11. The Reassessment

After three years, the Certification expires. Contact Accredit UK to arrange a reassessment.

Download the Path To Certification as a pdf diagram