Frequently asked questions

More information about accreditation can be found on the ‘What is accreditation?‘ page.

The different sub-areas are described on the ‘Disciplines’ page.

You can use the search facility (on the home page or on the top right hand of every page) to find out which organisations are accredited for a specific activity. Type the activity (p.e. “sampling”) and search in scopes.

Due to its independence, the RvA is not allowed to advise you on your choice of an accredited organisation.

Please find the overview of all accredited organizations that certify, test or inspect on the all accredited bodies page.

You can search the list of accredited bodies for an organisation. You can also use the search function (filter by accredited bodies).

A certifying body assesses managementsystem or the products or services of a supplier. In the event of a positive outcome the supplier receives a statement of conformity in the form of a certificate or report. An accreditation body assesses the expertise, impartiality and independence of certifying bodies and of other confomity assessment bodies.

Product certification is about assessing a product, service or process. Management system certification is about assessing an organisation’s management system. In the latter case there is therefore no statement about whether the products, services and processes of an organisation meet the specified requirements.

If an organisation no longer meets the accreditation requirements temporarily the accreditation is suspended on the request of the organisation (voluntarily) or by the RvA (imposed). In that case the organisation may no longer use the accreditation mark and may not make any other reference to the accredited status. Further information can be found in document BR002.

If an organisation no longer meets the accreditation requirements and cannot solve the problem within the specified timeframe, the accreditation is withdrawn by the RvA (imposed). The organisation can also ask the RvA to withdraw the accreditation (voluntarily). When the accreditation is withdrawn, the organisation may no longer use the accreditation mark and may not make any other reference to the accredited status. Further information can be found in document BR002.

You can select the required discipline via the Disciplines page. The explanatory notes will make reference to the associated standard.

An accreditation application is submitted using the application form.

Due to the independent role of the RvA, we cannot respond to urgent requests or priority requests for accreditation or extension requests. All requests are processed according to our standard procedures and within the stipulated timeframes. More information about this can be found in our document BR002, Policy Rule Accreditation.

The Application forms page contains a schematic overview to help you quickly find the forms you need to apply for an accreditation.

Different types of audit can be used to establish whether an accreditation can be granted. Further information about this can be found in document BR002.

The Accreditation process page provides a schematic overview of all of the steps in the accreditation process.

The average lead time of the accreditation process is six months to one year. Depending on how all process components are progressing, the lead time may vary. For more information, please contact us nieuweaanvragen@rva.nl or by telephone on: 030 23 94 500.

Further information about Category A and Category B non-conformities can be found in document BR004.

The way in which you have to deliver your corrective measures is described in document BR004.

There are costs associated with the various steps in the accreditation process. However, the total investment for the applicant differs per application: it depends, among other things, on the scope of a (re)assessment or the standard against which the assessment is made.

For more information, please contact us via nieuweaanvragen@rva.nl or by telephone: +31 30 23 94 500. You will also find an overview of the rates in our document D001, Fees and charges decision.

You need to submit an application form for an accreditation application for the same standard.

An accreditation application for a new standard is handled in the same way as an application for a new accreditation.

The Accreditation process page describes the steps in an extenstion assessment.