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IAF CAAR · First Edition · Version 1.0

Conformity Assessment Accreditation & Recognition

One integrated framework for competent laboratories, certification, inspection, audit, surveillance and assurance organisations across automotive and mobility.

Open Programme Standard Applicant Guide
2Decision routes
10Activity categories
12Automotive domains
240Identified requirements

Choose the correct route

Continuing capability or a bounded project

CAAR separates continuing organisational competence from recognition of specific assessment outputs. Neither route supplies public appointment, homologation authority or automatic acceptance by a regulator or buyer.

ACC

Accreditation of continuing capability

Assesses a legal body, named locations and controlled scope rows for ongoing competence. Only active approved rows support the wording IAF Approved Body - CAAR Accredited.

Prepared control: a four-year term with annual surveillance and reassessment before expiry. There is no conditional initial grant.
REC

Recognition of a bounded assessment project

Reviews a named project and enumerated outputs against every applicable requirement. It does not accredit the issuer or authorise unrelated future reports.

Prepared control: a project window of no more than twelve months. Historical output records preserve verified facts and later corrections.

Activity map

Ten categories keep authority boundaries clear

A body may request more than one category, but testing, inspection, audit and certification remain distinct authorities. Each category retains its own scope, competence, independence and output controls.

TST

Testing laboratories

Measured or observed results reported with methods and limitations.

CAL

Calibration laboratories

Results with measurement uncertainty and traceability.

INSP

Inspection bodies

A decision or report for the inspected object and occasion.

MSC

Management-system certification

Time-bounded certification supported by continuing surveillance.

PCC

Product, process & service certification

Scheme-specific certification with clearly separated claim types.

PSC

Personnel certification

Individual competence credentials with limits and recertification.

VVB

Validation & verification

Statements bounded by assurance, materiality and intended use.

AUD

Audit & surveillance organisations

Audit evidence and findings; certification authority is not implied.

PTP

Proficiency & intercomparison providers

Participant performance reports with assigned values and limits.

RMP

Reference material producers

Material or artefact properties, uncertainty, stability and proper use.

Requirement architecture

One decision map, no compensating score

Applicability is assessed requirement by requirement. Strong performance in one area cannot offset unsupported competence, unsafe work, compromised impartiality or missing evidence elsewhere.

Framework layerStructureAssessment purpose
Common core80 requirements across sections 01-20Legal identity, impartiality, people, facilities, methods, evidence, decisions, reporting, digital integrity and continuity.
Category schedules10 categories × 8 requirementsAdds controls specific to the actual output: test, calibration, inspection, certification, assurance, audit or reference service.
Automotive overlays12 domains × 4 requirementsApplies the technical risks of safety, batteries, charging, software, automation, manufacturing, sustainability and related fields.
Internal directives8 directives × 4 requirementsControls routes, scope, site sampling, findings, decisions, monitoring, report trust and programme governance.

Evidence-led assessment

From exact scope to a defensible public record

01 · BOUND

Define legal entity and scope

Record categories, domains, methods, ranges, sites, delivery modes, exclusions and intended users.

02 · DISCLOSE

Map independence

Declare ownership, consultancy, client relationships and IND, CAP or SEP status for every scope row.

03 · EVIDENCE

Build the technical dossier

Connect people, equipment, methods, uncertainty, original records, quality controls and actual completed work.

04 · WITNESS

Test capability in operation

Independent assessors sample files, visit critical sites and observe representative end-to-end activity.

05 · CLOSE

Resolve every finding

Contain risk, correct root causes and show independent effectiveness evidence before an initial grant.

06 · DECIDE

Release exact status

A separate three-person panel decides the route, scope, dates, restrictions and public verification wording.

Technical confidence

Approval follows a bounded chain of trust

Evidence expected for ACC readiness

  • Exact, versioned scope rows and legal authority
  • Observed task-specific personnel authorisation
  • Verified or validated methods and tools
  • Equipment fitness, calibration and traceability
  • Uncertainty and predefined decision rules
  • Object identity, sampling and evidence custody
  • Original data, failures, amendments and complaints
  • Independent review and controlled report release
  • Three executed case files per family/site
  • One witnessed end-to-end activity per family/site

Controlled document set

Read the rules, prepare the scope, preserve the evidence

Use the Programme Standard as the authoritative framework. The guides, manuals and writable forms implement it and cannot weaken its requirements. Each document opens as a PDF in a new tab.

Standard & Internal Directives

The complete routes, common requirements, ten category schedules, twelve overlays and decision controls.

46 pagesOpen PDF

Applicant Guide

Route selection, precise scope definition, evidence-pack preparation and readiness questions.

8 pagesOpen PDF

ACC / REC Application

The route, entity, categories, domains, independence, sites and requested decision boundary.

12 pagesOpen PDF

Scope & Technical Capability Forms

Controlled scope rows, sites, people, methods, providers, REC outputs and category annexes.

19 pagesOpen PDF

Self-Assessment Report Template

Implemented practice, actual effectiveness, completed-work populations, gaps and mapped evidence.

25 pagesOpen PDF

Technical Competence & Evidence Manual

Fourteen implementation modules for methods, uncertainty, witnessing, digital evidence and closure.

11 pagesOpen PDF

Assessment Checklist

The assessor-facing applicability, evidence, finding and decision record for the complete requirement map.

87 pagesOpen PDF

Assessment & Operations Manual

Case handling, team authorisation, sampling, panels, monitoring, appeals and programme controls.

14 pagesOpen PDF

Report Trust & Mark Usage Rules

Authorised wording, mixed-scope reports, public verification, corrections and mark restrictions.

7 pagesOpen PDF

Governance & Records Toolkit

Twenty controlled templates covering the complete case lifecycle; blank records are not approval decisions.

22 pagesOpen PDF

Prepared decision controls

Important periods and safeguards

ControlPrepared periodWhat it means
ACC termUp to four yearsAnnual surveillance is planned at months 12, 24 and 36; reassessment is required before expiry.
REC project windowUp to twelve monthsOnly the named project and enumerated output revisions can receive the recognition record.
Initial decisionAll applicable requirements MetOpen Minor, Major, Critical or Pending findings prevent an initial ACC or REC grant.
Factual response15 calendar daysThe applicant may correct factual errors and provide missing context before findings are finalised.
Serious incident noticeWithin 48 hoursApplies to systemic falsification, serious harm, major evidence compromise or loss of relevant authority.
AppealWithin 30 calendar daysA different three-person uninvolved panel reviews the decision grounds and evidence.

These controls describe the prepared Version 1.0 framework and become operational only through an approved adoption and implementation notice.

Prepare a scope that can be independently tested

Start with the Applicant Guide, select ACC or REC, define each category and scope row, then build the self-assessment and technical evidence pack. Contact IAF before presenting any dossier as a live accreditation or recognition application.

Readiness Guide Contact IAF

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