Transfer accreditation to ISCB

If your organisation is already accredited elsewhere, ISCB provides a controlled route to transition. The programme is designed to avoid unnecessary duplication while preserving the independence and rigour of the ISCB accreditation decision.

What the transfer programme provides

Preliminary document review

We begin with a confidential review of your current certificate and scope, latest assessment report, open findings, surveillance history and material changes. This establishes whether the requested activities fit the ISCB programme and identifies the evidence needed for a formal application. A preliminary review is not an accreditation decision.

Recognition of valid prior assessment evidence

ISCB may take valid, current and verifiable prior assessment evidence into account where the applicable standard, scheme, law and recognition arrangements permit. Reuse is evidence-specific: it does not mean automatic acceptance of another body’s decision. ISCB may contact the former accreditation body, request original records, sample technical files, conduct additional assessment or decline evidence that is incomplete, outdated, outside scope or affected by unresolved concerns.

Clear surveillance-cycle rules

The transfer plan states how the existing cycle will be treated. ISCB considers the last full assessment, subsequent surveillance, open nonconformities, scope changes and remaining cycle risk. Depending on that review, ISCB may preserve a justified portion of the cycle, bring forward surveillance, reset the cycle from the ISCB decision date or require an initial-equivalent assessment. No ISCB-accredited claim may be made before a positive decision and effective date.

A written transition timetable

Every eligible applicant receives a transition plan showing document deadlines, assessment activity, corrective-action dates, decision review and the proposed effective date. Timing is agreed around assessor availability and the quality of submitted evidence.

Indicative transition timetable

1. Days 1–10: eligibility and scope check. Submit the current certificate, scope and transfer enquiry.
2. Weeks 2–4: preliminary document review. ISCB evaluates prior reports, status, open findings and recognition conditions.
3. Weeks 4–8: focused assessment plan. Required office review, technical assessment or witnessing is confirmed and completed where scheduling allows.
4. Weeks 6–12: corrective action. The applicant addresses findings and provides objective evidence.
5. Weeks 10–14: independent decision. A person or group not involved in the assessment reviews the file and, if requirements are met, approves the ISCB scope and effective date.

These periods are planning estimates, not guaranteed service levels. Complex scopes, multi-site operations, unavailable witnesses, regulatory approvals or unresolved findings can extend the timetable.

Eligibility information

• Current accreditation certificate and complete scope
• Most recent initial or reassessment report and surveillance reports
• Status and evidence for every open nonconformity
• Complaints, appeals, suspensions, restrictions or enforcement relevant to the scope
• Changes in ownership, locations, key personnel, methods or equipment
• Reason for transfer and the markets in which recognition is required

Continuity and integrity safeguards

ISCB will not use transfer to bypass unresolved nonconformities, suspension, withdrawal or regulatory action. Applicants must keep their current status accurately represented throughout the process. The former body’s mark must stop being used when its authorisation ends, and the ISCB mark may be used only after written approval and only for the approved scope.

Start a confidential transfer review

Send your organisation name, accreditation standard, current scope, present accreditation body and preferred transition date. The ISCB team will confirm the appropriate route and the documents required for preliminary review.

Request a transfer review ↗