Third party accreditation
Third party accreditation (or certification) is the formal, independent recognition that a prescribed standard of performance has been achieved. A third party organisation reviews a process, product, system, organisation, person etc. and certifies compliance with a required standard of safety, quality or environmental performance etc. This may involve, demonstration of qualifications, systems, testing processes, materials, testing, inspections of facilities and so on.
If the standard is achieved, the third party provides written assurance or certification that it conforms to the specified requirements. Some certification systems will provide graded result, such as; excellent, good, poor and so on.
Such certification, provides a means for potential clients to make informed choices in terms of selecting proven and competent suppliers, as well as ensuring compliance with their own standards or policies.
In the UK, the British Board of Agrément (BBA) is one of the leading bodies offering approval, certification and test services to construction industry products and systems. For more information, see Agrément certificate.
Products and systems that receive BBA and other forms of certification, are recognised by building control, government departments, architects, specifiers and industry insurers that there is a certain level of quality and fitness for purpose.
Other organisations provide certification of a number of aspects of products, design and construction, such as:
- BREEAM.
- CEEQUAL.
- Construction Skills Certification Scheme.
- Department for Communities and Local Government.
- Forest Stewardship Council.
- Gas safe.
- Health and Safety Executive.
- Home Quality Mark.
- International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).
- Kitemark.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
- Passivhaus.
- Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.
- Robust details certification scheme.
- Ska rating.
- NHBC.
- WELL.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Accreditation body.
- Agrément certificate.
- British Board of Agrément.
- British standards.
- Building Research Establishment BRE.
- BTTG.
- CE marking.
- Construction products regulations.
- Examining the 2021 construction materials shortage.
- Gas Safe.
- Green Seal.
- How to check certification.
- International Organisation for Standardisation.
- ISO 14024.
- Kitemark.
- Quality assurance.
- Quality management system.
- UKCA mark transition extension for construction products requested.
- Water Regulations Advisory Scheme WRAS.
Featured articles and news
Twas the site before Christmas...
A rhyme for the industry and a thankyou to our supporters.
Plumbing and heating systems in schools
New apprentice pay rates coming into effect in the new year
Addressing the impact of recent national minimum wage changes.
EBSSA support for the new industry competence structure
The Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority, in working group 2.
Notes from BSRIA Sustainable Futures briefing
From carbon down to the all important customer: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
Principal Designer: A New Opportunity for Architects
ACA launches a Principal Designer Register for architects.
A new government plan for housing and nature recovery
Exploring a new housing and infrastructure nature recovery framework.
Leveraging technology to enhance prospects for students
A case study on the significance of the Autodesk Revit certification.
Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance
Announced during commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
CIAT responds to the updated National Planning Policy Framework
With key changes in the revised NPPF outlined.
Councils and communities highlighted for delivery of common-sense housing in planning overhaul
As government follows up with mandatory housing targets.
CIOB photographic competition final images revealed
Art of Building produces stunning images for another year.
HSE prosecutes company for putting workers at risk
Roofing company fined and its director sentenced.
Strategic restructure to transform industry competence
EBSSA becomes part of a new industry competence structure.
Major overhaul of planning committees proposed by government
Planning decisions set to be fast-tracked to tackle the housing crisis.
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.