International Scope

ASCB supports accreditation activities in more than 70 countries, reflecting the international nature of certification and conformity assessment.

Accredited conformity assessment bodies operate across diverse markets, sectors, and regulatory environments.

ASCB applies standards-based accreditation principles consistently, regardless of geographic location.

To date, ASCB has accredited over 230 conformity assessment bodies worldwide and registered over 10,000 assessors, auditors and quality assurance personnel.

Organizations certified under ASCB accreditation include over 30,000 entities with an estimated combined annual turnover of approximately USD 250 billion and a workforce exceeding one million employees.

A global map showing ASCB-accredited organizations is also available and can be accessed here: Explore ASCB-accredited organizations worldwide

International Certificate Validation

All certificated bodies, organizations, and products are recorded on the International Register (IRQAO), which provides a live search function for verification.

This allows users to confirm the authenticity of certificates issued by ASCB-accredited conformity assessment bodies, as well as certificates issued under other supported accreditation arrangements.

Certificate verification via the International Register (IRQAO)

Accreditation Standards and Governance

ASCB conducts its accreditation activities in accordance with ISO/IEC 17011, the international standard for accreditation bodies. This standard sets requirements for impartiality, competence, consistency, and transparency in the accreditation process.

Accreditation decisions are based on objective assessment against published international standards for conformity assessment bodies, applied consistently regardless of sector or geographic location.

ASCB maintains documented procedures for all core accreditation activities, including application and assessment, ongoing surveillance, and the management of complaints and appeals.

Feedback, Complaints and Appeals

ASCB welcomes feedback from conformity assessment bodies, certified organizations, regulators, and other interested parties.

Complaints

Any person or organization may raise a concern with ASCB regarding the conduct of an ASCB-accredited conformity assessment body, or regarding ASCB's own activities.

ASCB's role is one of assessment in accordance with ISO/IEC 17011. ASCB is not a regulator and does not have regulatory powers. ASCB is not a mediator or arbitrator and is unable to intervene in commercial, contractual, or financial disputes between parties.

Where a complaint relates to the activities of a conformity assessment body or a certificated organization, ASCB expects that the matter will first be raised directly with that organization, which should be given a reasonable opportunity to respond.

To raise a concern or submit a complaint, please use the contact form on our Contact page. ASCB will acknowledge your submission and, where appropriate, provide guidance on the information required to progress the matter. Further information about ASCB's complaint handling process is available on request.

Appeals

A conformity assessment body that is directly and adversely affected by an ASCB accreditation decision may appeal that decision. Appeals must be submitted in writing within 30 calendar days of notification of the decision and must set out the specific grounds on which the decision is challenged.

Appeals are considered by individuals who were not involved in the original decision. Further information about ASCB's appeals process is available on request.

Third-party complainants do not have recourse to the appeals process. On conclusion of the complaint process, ASCB will advise of any alternative routes available.

ASCB's complaints and appeals arrangements are maintained in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17011.