The Pathway to
Smart Accreditation
Smart Accreditation:
Certification Bodies
Accreditation is the process by
which formal recognition of
competence is given to qualified
organizations, known as
Certification Bodies (CBs).
Accreditation demonstrates the
organizations impartiality,
competence and performance
capability. Smart accredits CBs,
authorizing them to audit and
issue certificates of compliance
with Smarts Certification
Standards. Smart also monitors
CBs to provide assurance that the
public can rely on the competence
of accredited organizations, the
certificates they issue, and the
process by which they are issued.
Smart accreditation of CBs is
necessary to generate trust in
stakeholders regarding the CBs
capacity to consistently, reliably
and effectively carry out
certification audits and performing
these audits in a professional
manner.
I Application
Organizations are nominated by the
Smart Campaign and formally invited
to submit an application, including all
required documents.
II Desk Assessment
The Smart Campaign will conduct a
document review to verify the CB has
robust systems to ensure impartiality,
balanced decision-making and capacity
to perform certification activities against
the Smart CPPs and Standards. Smart
will communicate corrective actions/
pending documentation needed to the
applicant CB.
III Office Assessment
Smart assessors will visit the CB office(s)
to review the actual implementation of
systems/processes and interview staff
regarding their understanding and
application of the requirements.
IV Decision-Making
The Smart Campaign will decide to grant,
confirm or deny accreditation based on
the desk and office assessments. The
ARC, a consultative committee, also
supports the decision-making process
and advises the Campaign.
V Ongoing Surveillance
Two years into the accreditation cycle, a
surveillance assessment will take place
to guarantee continued conformity with
accreditation requirements for
certification bodies.
VI Re-Accreditation
On year four of every accreditation
cycle, CBs will receive a re-accreditation
assessment. Upon a favorable re-
accreditation decision, Smart will issue
the re-accreditation report and a new
certificate of accreditation.