THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS

By accreditation a company obtains a recognition and affirmation that it carries out its duties competently. Accreditation focuses on the company's organization and its quality system with associated procedures. In addition, the technical and professional skills of the company must be kept at a high level - all in order to meet the requirements of the applicable standard.

As part of the accreditation process DANAK carries out an assessment of whether all the requirements in the standard have been met. Where appropriate, an accreditation document are issued to the company.

Below, you can see the main elements of the accreditation process. There may be differences in the process depending on the standard or the scope of accreditation for which the company is seeking accreditation.

  1. PREPARATION
    Before a company applies for accreditation, it can view the accreditation requirements at DANAKs website. The accreditation standard is available through Dansk Standard.
    In addition, DANAK is ready to hold a information meeting with companies that are considering or planning to become accredited

  2. APPLICATION
    When a company applies for accreditation, it must use an application form, which is available for download on DANAKs website.
    When DANAK has received the application, a lead assessor is appointed as responsible for the accreditation process. The lead assessor together with technical assessors or technical experts with specific experience in the activities included in the accreditation makes up the total assessment team.
    DANAK reviews the documentation submitted by the company and assesses whether it is satisfactory and meets the requirements of the standard. If not, the applicant will have the opportunity to review the material or send additional information.

  3. VISIT
    The applicant shall decide together with DANAK, whether there is a need for a preevaluation visit to determine if the basis is good enough to implement a genuine accreditation visit.
    The accreditation visit itself will as a general rule be carried out on all addresses, where the company performs accredited activities. That can both be through office visits and field visits with demonstration of the company's specific way of working.
    At the end of accreditation visit the assessment team will hold a final meeting with the company.
    Here the report with any non-conformities will be presented along with a recommendation on accreditation. Then a time limit for implementation of corrective actions relating to non-conformities is agreed upon.
    In addition, if possible it will be communicated whether an accreditation can be achieved when the non-conformities are met, or whether follow-up or supplementary assessment is necessary first.

  4. FINISHING
    After the visit DANAK draws up an assessment report. It is sent to the company along with the non-conformity reports.
    Non-conformities are "closed" by the applicant sending documentation of corrective actions. In some cases, a follow-up visit will be made to assess whether the corrective actions are implemented and whether they are adequate and effective.
    The lead assessor will as conclusion deliver the report as well as documentation for the closure of non-conformities to DANAKs Accreditation Committee - together with a recommendation about accreditation. The Committee shall decide on the accreditation of the company.

  5. ISSUANCE OF ACCREDITATION
    Once the decision on accreditation has been taken, the decision as well as an accreditation document is sent to the company. At the same time, the company's name, contact information and a list of the activities that the company is accredited to is published on DANAKs website.
    An accreditation shall normally apply for 4 years.

  6. MAINTAINING THE ACCREDITATION
    DANAK sets a number of supervisory visits to be carried out during the accreditation period in order to assess whether the company continues to meet the requirements. Typically, a visit is planned per year over the first accreditation period.
    A supervisory visit is usually less extensive than an accreditation visit. A visit report will be prepared with a recommendation for maintaining the accreditation.
    If any non-conformities are found, a report on this will be compiled, and a deadline for corrective actions will be agreed upon.

  7. SUSPENSION OR AMENDMENT OF ACCREDITATION
    - Suspension
    It may happen that the non-conformities found by, for example, a supervisory visit are so severe that the evaluation team recommends suspension or withdrawal of the accreditation. This decision rests with DANAKs Accreditation Committee.
    If the company itself has asked for a suspension, it can be agreed on administratively. A suspension can last a maximum of six months
    It will appear in the register of accredited businesses on DANAKs website, whether an accreditation is suspended.
    - Amendment
    The company may at any time request an amendment of the accreditation. When processing such a request DANAK assesses whether it can be approved through an examination of documents or whether there is a need for an additional assessment visit to the company.

  8. RENEWAL OF ACCREDITATION
    A renewal follows the same procedure as the processing of an application. The process is, however, less extensive and faster, taking lessons from the cooperation on the company's previous accreditation period into consideration in planning the renewal process.

  9. TERMINATION OF ACCREDITATION
    If the company will not renew the accreditation, it shall expire when the accreditation period ends.
    The company can even on its own choose to terminate its accreditation, for example if it no longer believes that it can live up to the requirements of an accreditation.

FURTHER INFORMATION

You are welcome to contact DANAK if you have any questions.

DANAK has issued detailed guidance on accreditation of certification, inspection, validation and verification activities. Step by Step

and

Guidance on accreditation of laboratories. Step by step