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IAF assurance pathway

Recognition & Assessment Process

A traceable route from scope definition and objective evidence to competent assessment, independent decision and continuing oversight.

Application Guidance Mark & Claim Rules

IAF programme assessment follows a traceable path from scope definition to independent decision and continuing oversight. The exact evidence, site coverage, witnessed activity, term and monitoring plan depend on the selected programme and route.

Who can use these pathways?

  • Automotive education institutions, named qualification programmes and assessed learning offerings (AEAR).
  • Testing, inspection, certification, calibration, audit, verification and related conformity-assessment bodies (CAAR).
  • Manufacturers and assemblers (CRP), suppliers (PSR), service networks (SNR), software and digital-system providers (SDR), and professional practices (PPR).

Evidence-to-decision workflow

Step 1 — Route and scope confirmation

Identify the legal applicant, programme route, sites, methods, programmes or activities, intended users, exclusions and applicable versions. Unsupported expansion remains outside scope.

Step 2 — Application and readiness review

Submit the controlled form, self-evaluation, scope schedule and evidence index. IAF checks administrative eligibility, completeness, conflicts and whether appropriate assessment competence is available.

Step 3 — Evidence and planning review

Reviewers examine implemented controls, operating history, competence, internal assurance, adverse cases and original records. The plan then identifies sites, samples, witnesses, interviews and safe access.

Step 4 — Assessment and witnessing

Required physical visits, remote supporting review and witnessed work test whether documented controls operate in practice. Remote evidence does not replace mandatory physical coverage.

Step 5 — Findings and effective closure

The applicant contains affected work, addresses root causes and supplies objective evidence that corrective action works. A new procedure or training attendance alone may not demonstrate effectiveness.

Step 6 — Independent decision

The assessment team reports and recommends; the competent independent panel decides the exact route, scope, dates, limitations and monitoring obligations. No score overrides essential safety, integrity or competence gates.

Step 7 — Controlled public claim

Only the approved legal holder may use the authorised wording or artwork, within the active scope and licence. Membership, pending status and readiness work provide no active technical claim.

Step 8 — Surveillance, change and renewal

Maintain evidence, report material change and serious events, complete programme-specific surveillance and secure a new decision before expiry. A pending renewal does not extend an expired status.

Core application evidence

Evidence groupWhat it should establish
Identity and authorityLegal entity, ownership/control, permissions, accountable leaders and signed declarations.
Controlled scopeSites, activities, methods/programmes, delivery modes, independence relationships, exclusions and versions.
Competence and resourcesTask-specific authorisations, facilities, equipment, software, supervision and independent review.
Implemented operationActual completed work, original records, traceability, adverse cases, complaints and change history—not future plans alone.
Internal assuranceSelf-evaluation, internal audit/review, management decisions, findings, corrective action and effectiveness checks.
Assessment accessSafe site access, representative witnesses, selected case files, interviews, confidentiality and translation arrangements.

Decision, response and appeal

Factual review

Programme guides generally provide 15 calendar days to identify factual errors and support the correction with evidence.

Independent decision

The decision is separate from commercial priority, membership, sponsorship, assessment fees and the assessment team’s recommendation.

Appeal

Where the programme permits an appeal, the reasoned notice and programme rules govern grounds, filing period and independent review.

Terms and monitoring are programme-specific

Programme routeMaximum documented termContinuing controls
AEAR Institutional / Programme Accreditation4 yearsAnnual reporting, material-change duties and mid-cycle review planning.
AEAR Learning Offering Recognition2 yearsMonitoring and status review appropriate to the bounded offering.
CAAR ACCNo more than 4 yearsAnnual surveillance planning and scope/status control; REC remains tied to identified projects and outputs.
CRP / PSR / SNR / SDR / PPRNo more than 3 yearsSurveillance by months 12 and 24, with programme-specific physical coverage and change duties.
No universal lead time or tariff: duration and cost depend on scope, sites, risk, technical disciplines, witness availability, travel, evidence quality and finding closure. Confirm the case-specific plan and quotation rather than relying on a generic figure.

Prepare your route

Review the applicable applicant guide and forms before opening the online application record.

Application guidance Mark rules

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