This page provides information about our bespoke accreditation scheme services which can be developed to be recognised company-wide, industry-wide, nationally or internationally.

Increasingly, industry bodies and larger organisations have a public duty of care to discharge regarding such issues as quality assurance, customer service and consumers' rights.  In order to satisfy these requirements, more and more organisations are turning to accreditation and the introduction of accreditation schemes.

Accreditation schemes begin with the establishment of standards, which individuals and/or organisations can be assessed to. Some standards, like ISO9000, already exist but often, an industry, an association or larger organisations can have a more specific requirement that requires a bespoke approach.

For situations like these, we have two platforms upon which new standards can be built; the Industry Specific Standard (ISS) and the Business Specific Standard (BSS).

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The ISS is designed for industries or member bodies that wish to create standards for their industry or membership. The current requirements under the Consumer Code Approval Scheme, from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), is an example where we can help our clients to establish standards and create an accreditation scheme where individuals or organisations are encouraged to be assessed, in order to become accredited.

Project Example: The Quality standard for Mail Production (QMP)

Launched in March 2001, the Quality Standard for Mail Production (QMP) was created as an accreditation scheme for driving up standards in the direct mail industry.

Commissioned by Royal Mail, we were selected to design and manage the QMP accreditation scheme on behalf of the industry. We also created a web interface to help buyers of direct mail services to source proven suppliers. The sophisticated web based short listing mechanism was designed to allow end users to find accredited mailing houses using keyword, geographical or specialist criterion. Thus providing end users with a unique facility for sourcing providers of all forms of direct mail services.

Overseen by an independent Advisory Council with representation from the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers (ISBA) and the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), the QMP accreditation scheme was a first for the industry.

As the scheme evolved, a community secure area was made available for accredited mailing houses; providing access to up-to-date information regarding changes in legislation for the direct mail industry and guidance on issues of best practice. To support this, we also implemented a management system for ‘Ad Alerts’ on behalf of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), to ensure compliance with ASA adjudications relating to direct mail advertising.

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The BSS is designed for organisations that wish to establish standards across one department, multiple departments or the entire organisation. The BSS is most suited to large organisations or Government Departments or Agencies, where size creates difficulties for management and communications. As with the Industry Specific Standard, the BSS enables our clients to establish standards and create an accreditation scheme where individuals or departments are encouraged to be assessed, in order to become accredited.

Project Example: UK Trade & Investment

'Passport' is UK Trade & Investment’s flagship assessment and skills-based programme that provides new and inexperienced exporters with the training, planning and ongoing support they need to succeed overseas.

Following competitive tender, we were selected to design and manage the Passport Accreditation System (PAS), with the remit of measuring and evaluating the performance of export services from the Government’s business support agencies. Since its launch in 2002, the PAS accreditation scheme has evolved into a sophisticated web based monitoring system for ensuring the effective delivery and management of the Passport programme.

Today the PAS accreditation scheme has developed into a comprehensive web-enabled monitoring tool that is used by all nine UK Regions and Overseas Trade Posts creating a worldwide online community. The comprehensive live statistics module is utilised at Ministerial level and provides the source data for official reports regarding the growth of UK exports.
 

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We are a Board of Trade recognised pre-eminent body with over 40 years experience in standards development and certification. All of our assessors are professionally trained and have a business background, so you can count on their practical and business-friendly approach. Our client portfolio is a good mix of public and private sector organisations, as well as institutes and trade bodies. Our pre-eminent status is your guarantee of quality and we have been a recognised Investors in People since 1999.

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The fees associated with an ISS or BSS will vary depending on the scope of your requirements and the size of your organisation. However, every project starts with an obligation free consultation to identify and understand your requirements.  So whether you are ready to establish your own OFT Code Scheme or just want to talk through your options, feel free to call us and we'll arrange for one of our professionally trained advisors to meet with you.

You can reach our friendly Support Team on 0870 606 2001 between the hours of 09:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday.

Thank you.

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The British Accreditation Bureau
South Tower
Tubs Hill House
London Road
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1BL
Telephone: +44 (0)870 606 2001
Facsimile: +44 (0)870 607 2001
Email: Click here to send an email enquiry

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