Recognition for Independent Experts & Professionals A corporate quality and trust framework for independent automotive experts, professional firms and legally operating sole practices.
Programme status: prepared for IAF adoption The document set supports consultation and readiness planning. Effective operation requires recorded adoption, validated pilots and an operational verification route. Recognition applies to the accountable practice and does not create a transferable personal licence, statutory appointment or approval of every opinion.
25 Common sections
10 Practice profiles
8 Risk domains
204 Identified requirements
Professional practice profile map
Scope follows the discipline and professional responsibility PRC is mandatory for every applicant. Additional profiles and risk domains are selected from the advice, investigation, inspection, analysis, training and technical outputs actually controlled by the recognised practice.
PRC Professional practice Mandatory governance profile for professional firms and legally operating sole practices.
ENG Engineering advisory Design advice, reliability, materials, integration and engineering due diligence.
INV Incident & failure investigation Vehicle incidents, component failures, causation analysis and reconstruction.
VAL Valuation & damage assessment Asset valuation, damage cost, residual value and heritage-authenticity opinions.
INS Technical inspection & condition advice Non-statutory condition surveys, pre-purchase reviews and technical due diligence.
QUA Quality & operational expertise Advisory audits, process reviews, supplier due diligence and improvement services.
EVS Electrification expertise Battery, charging, electric powertrain and related technical advisory work.
DIG Software, data & cybersecurity Vehicle software, data analysis, connected systems and authorised security assessment.
MOB Advanced mobility & systems Assisted or automated mobility, human factors, fleets and emerging transport concepts.
TRN Technical education & development Training, mentoring, curriculum advice and professional competence evaluation.
Requirement architecture
A 204-requirement professional assurance map Qualifications and reputation are inputs, not final proof. Recognition requires bounded disciplines, verified roles, authentic engagements, independent judgement and controlled professional reports.
Framework layer Structure Purpose
Corporate baseline 100 requirements in 25 sections Identity, independence, conflicts, competence, evidence, methods, judgement, review, reports, privacy and client protection. Professional profiles 10 profiles × 4 requirements Adds controls for the actual advisory, investigation, inspection, digital, mobility or training discipline. Technology & risk domains 8 modules × 4 requirements Triggers extra controls for safety, hazardous evidence, models, AI, sensitive data, disputes, cross-border and novel work. Internal directives 8 directives × 4 requirements Controls eligibility, coverage, competence, decisions, status, appeals, records and programme operation.
Controlled document set
Read, prepare and preserve the evidence Use the Programme Standard as the authoritative framework. The manuals, guides and controlled forms implement it and cannot weaken its requirements. Each file opens as a PDF in a new tab.
Standard & Internal Directives The full practice baseline, professional profiles, risk domains, directives and annexes.
Applicant Guide Practice scope, roster, engagement evidence, assessment access and readiness.
Corporate Recognition Application Practice identity, disciplines, hubs, people, adoption and declarations.
Practice Scope & Professional Roster Disciplines, jurisdictions, delivering hubs, individual roles, permissions and limitations.
Engagement & Expert Report Dossier Instructions, conflicts, evidence, methods, reasoning, review, report issue and correction.
Self-Assessment & Evidence Dossier Implemented controls, outcomes, gaps, indicators and source-evidence mapping.
Professional Practice & Evidence Manual Practical controls for engagements, evidence, judgement, review, reports and client protection.
Assessment Checklist Assessor-facing applicability, evidence, findings and decision record.
Audit & Recognition Manual Practice and hub coverage, engagement sampling, panels, surveillance, appeals and status.
Status & Mark Usage Rules Authorised wording, biographies, roster claims, verification and misuse response.
Governance & Monitoring Toolkit Controlled records for screening, audits, findings, decisions, monitoring and continuity.
Prepared decision controls
Important periods and safeguards Control Prepared period Meaning Implemented history Minimum 6 months Includes internal audit, management review and three engagements per discipline/hub. Independent lead 24 months relevant practice Also requires three verified assignments in the prior 36 months for each discipline. Recognition term Maximum 3 years Recognition remains with the practice and does not follow departed personnel automatically. Surveillance Months 12 and 24 Every hub is reviewed annually; physical evidence facilities require annual visits. Initial decision All applicable requirements Met No conditional initial grant or score average replaces complete closure. Appeal Within 30 calendar days A different conflict-free three-person panel reviews the challenged decision.
Build an engagement-backed professional dossier Start with the Applicant Guide, define the practice, disciplines and roster, then connect instructions, authority, evidence, reasoning, review and issued reports. Contact IAF before presenting any dossier as a live recognition application.