{"id":15381,"date":"2022-09-22T12:45:07","date_gmt":"2022-09-22T10:45:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandcompliance.be\/?post_type=docs&p=15381"},"modified":"2026-11-10T17:09:11","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T16:09:11","password":"","slug":"accreditation-versus-certification","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/brandcompliance.be\/en\/docs\/accreditation-versus-certification\/","title":{"rendered":"Accreditation versus certification: what is the difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Accreditation and certification are often confused. They are related, but they do not mean the same thing. Certification assesses whether an organization, product, process, service or person meets specified requirements. Accreditation assesses whether a conformity assessment body is competent to carry out specific assessments.<\/p>\n

Accreditation and certification: what is the difference?<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Aspect<\/th>\nAccreditation<\/th>\nCertification<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
What is assessed?<\/th>\nThe competence and working methods of a conformity assessment body, within a defined scope.<\/td>\nWhether an organization meets the requirements of a standard or certification scheme.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who carries out the assessment?<\/th>\nIn Belgium, BELAC is the national accreditation body.<\/td>\nA certification body carries out the certification audit.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the outcome?<\/th>\nAccreditation for the activities and standards included in the defined scope.<\/td>\nA certificate, provided that the organization meets the applicable requirements and the certification decision is positive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How are they related?<\/th>\nBELAC assesses and accredits conformity assessment bodies for the activities and scopes specified in the accreditation annex.<\/td>\nThe certification body assesses the organization within its accredited scope.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is certification?<\/h2>\n

Certification involves an independent certification body assessing whether the requirements of a standard or certification scheme are met. The assessment may cover a product, process, service, person or management system.<\/p>\n

Following a positive certification decision, the organization receives a certificate. This certificate indicates that the assessed elements met the applicable requirements at the time of the assessment. Certification does not guarantee that nonconformities or incidents will never occur.<\/p>\n

Why do organizations seek certification?<\/h3>\n

A certificate can enable an organization to demonstrate to customers, clients and other interested parties that specified requirements have been independently assessed. A certificate may be required by a client, an insurer or legislation. Whether certification is mandatory depends on the situation and the applicable requirements.<\/p>\n

What can be certified?<\/h3>\n