Accreditation vs Certification

Accreditation vs Certification: What's the difference?

In the world of standards, quality assurance, and compliance, the terms Accreditation and Certification are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and roles. Understanding the difference between these two concepts is crucial for businesses, organizations, and professionals seeking to enhance credibility, ensure compliance, and gain recognition in their respective fields.

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation

refers to a formal, third-party recognition that an organization is competent to carry out specific tasks or services. An accreditation body evaluates whether organizations, such as testing laboratories, certification bodies, or educational institutions, meet established international standards. It provides confidence that the accredited entity follows rigorous guidelines to maintain competence and reliability.

Scope of Accreditation:

Accreditation can apply to various sectors, such as healthcare, education, environmental management, and information security management systems.

What is Certification?

Certification

is the process of verifying that a company, system, process, or individual meets specific standards or qualifications. It is often granted by an accredited certification body after an assessment or audit. Certification confirms that a product, service, or organization complies with a recognized standard, such as ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) or ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System).

Types of Certification:

Certification can be given to management systems, products, services, and personnel.

Key Differences between Accreditation and Certification

Purpose
Authority
Level of Assessment
Examples

Accreditation certification serves assurance that a Certification Body or Organization of Assessors has the competence to carry out defined tasks.
Certification proves that a product, service, or organization meets certain standards or qualifications.

Accreditation is the process performed by an accreditation body with authority over certifying organizations.
Certification may be done by a certification body, which may or may not be accredited.

Accreditation means the evaluation of certifying bodies, testing laboratories, or educational institutions to ensure that they meet the required standards.

Certification assesses the compliance of organizations, products, or individuals with specific standards.

Accreditation: Some certification body is accredited by the UKAS to conduct ISO certifications.
Certification: A company obtains ISO 9001 certification through an accredited certification body.

Why Accreditation and Certification Matter to Your Business

Both are vital means for industries to enact quality, competence, and trust. While accreditation provides assurance about the reliability of certification, certification proves that your organization or product meets recognized standards. Whichever one between ISO certification for your business and becoming an accredited certifying body is necessary for you, knowing the difference is what will set you apart on your road to success.