Accreditation covers a defined scope: specific schemes, activities, sectors, or geographic coverage, set out when you were first accredited or last reassessed. If your conformity assessment body wants to add a new scheme or activity, expand into a new sector, or operate in a new geography, your existing accreditation does not automatically extend to cover it. That is a separate process, distinct from your initial application and from routine re-accreditation, and this page sets out when it applies and how it works.
When scope extension applies
Scope extension applies whenever you want to add something to your accredited scope that your current accreditation does not already cover: a new standard or scheme, a new sector within a scheme you already hold, or geographic coverage beyond where you are currently accredited to operate. It does not apply to routine changes within your existing scope, and it is not a substitute for re-accreditation, which reviews your existing scope on its four-year cycle rather than adding to it.
If you are uncertain whether something you want to do counts as a scope extension or falls within what you already hold, check with ASCB before proceeding. Operating outside your accredited scope, even inadvertently, is a serious matter, and confirming in advance is straightforward compared with resolving it after the fact.
The extension process and typical timeline
A scope extension request starts with an application describing the new scheme, activity, sector, or geography you want added, along with the evidence needed to support it. That evidence typically covers the same ground your initial accreditation did for the scope in question: competence of the personnel who will work in the new area, a conformity assessment process suited to it, and any sector-specific or scheme-specific requirements that apply.
Because a scope extension is assessed on its own merits rather than relying on your existing track record in unrelated areas, expect a timeline closer to that of a focused initial assessment for the new scope than to a routine surveillance visit. The exact timeline depends on the scope being added and the evidence you can provide upfront, so confirm what to expect with ASCB once you have decided which extension you are pursuing, rather than assuming it will run on the same clock as your existing accreditation.
What happens to your certificate and directory listing once extended
Once a scope extension is approved, your accreditation record and your listing in the accredited bodies directory are updated to reflect the new scope alongside what you already held. The directory entry is what buyers and other third parties check to confirm exactly what your accreditation covers, so an accurate, current listing matters as much as the extension itself. Until an extension is formally approved and reflected in your record, do not represent yourself as accredited for the new scope, even if the assessment process is well underway.
How this compares with applying as a new applicant
The Application guide for new applicants walks through the initial assessment process for a conformity assessment body applying for accreditation for the first time. Scope extension covers similar ground for the specific new area being added, but it is assessed against the backdrop of your existing accreditation rather than as a standalone first-time application. If you are unsure which process applies to your situation, whether you are extending an existing accreditation or starting a genuinely new one, the Application guide sets out the initial-applicant process for comparison.
Common questions
How do you add a new scheme, sector or location to your accreditation?
Through a scope-extension application; your existing accreditation does not automatically extend to new activities.
Is a scope extension the same as re-accreditation?
No. Re-accreditation reviews your existing scope on its four-year cycle; a scope extension adds to it.
What if you are unsure whether something needs an extension?
Check with ASCB before proceeding; certifying outside your accredited scope, even inadvertently, is a serious matter.