Key features of Approval Schemes
When making your choice of which approval body to use ask yourself some of these questions:
- Accreditation: Does the approval company hold external accreditation for its technical schemes?
- Technical Capability: Is the competence of the approval body based on only recent or bought-in expertise, or is it actively involved with scientific and technical developments in the sector, including testing facilities?
- Standards Pedigree: Does the scheme depend on private documents, or is it based on publicly available technically challenging standards?
- Risk Management: How seriously does the approval body treat risk to users, suppliers and the organisation itself?
- Scheme Entry Requirements: Can suppliers gain access to a scheme simply by joing a trade association, or is it the competence and trading status of the firm scrutinised?
- Scheme Management: How are schemes operated by the approval body?
- Enforcement Process: How does the approval body enforce its rules and protect its brand? Is there evidence that poorly-performing suppliers have their approval removed, and is there a functioning complaints process?
- Products and Systems: Does the scheme take an integrated approach, with approval at all levels, or are the product and system-related scheme split into disconnected parts?
- Installations: When installations or maintenance firms are assessed for approval, are examples of their work checked, and how frequently?
- Installers: Are installers and other suppliers of services subject to regular systemss and capability scrutiny?
- Governance: Is the approval body truly independent of commercial, interest, such as non-profit or a charity, or is it subject to influence?
