Accreditation in the construction industry

Accreditation is acknowledgement of ability, authority or credibility in a particular field of activity. Accreditation of individuals, tradespeople, companies or societies means they have been certified against certain standards by an accrediting body.

For example, a roofing company may be accredited by a relevant roofing trade body or association such as the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). The roofing company is then able to tender for business with verification of its competence and to instil confidence in potential clients that it will operate to certain standards. In its marketing documentation it may state that it is 'approved' or ‘accredited’ by the particular body in question.

Gaining accreditation may require successfully completing a course, inspection or test to give the accreditation body sufficient evidence to allow it to certify competence and ability in attaining its standards. It may also involve ongoing assessment to verify that standards are maintained and that capabilities are up to date.

Accreditation schemes can offer career-enhancing education and maintain higher standards in a particular sector. They can also give the public greater confidence in the ability of tradespeople and other entities who have gained accreditation.

Bodies that provide certification might include:

• Institutes and associations.
• Mark systems such as the Kitemark or CE marking.
• Rating bodies such as BREEAM or the Home Quality Mark.
• Product certification such as the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification or the Forest Stewardship Council.
• Trades accreditation such as Gas Safe or the Construction Skills Certification Scheme.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Accreditation body.
• BIM standards.
• British Board of Agrément.
• British Standards Institution BSI.
• BS ISO 10845.
• Building control performance standards.
• CE mark.
• Common minimum standards.
• Housing standards review.
• How to check certification.
• International Organisation for Standardisation.
• ISO 14001.
• ISO 9001.
• Kitemark.
• Third party accreditation.
• United Kingdom Accreditation Service UKAS.