Increasing your accreditation scope

Trading Standards will charge for accreditation related activities. For more information see Accreditation costs.

Step 1 – Apply to be accredited

Increase accreditation – organisation

When adding a new category and/or sub-category to the accreditation of an organisation, log in to Business Connect, then select and complete Trading Standards accreditation form 1.

Business Connect(external link)

Increase accreditation – new or existing individual

When adding a new individual, or increasing an individual scope for a category/sub-category already held by the accredited organisation, log in to Business Connect, then select and complete Trading Standards accreditation form 2.

Business Connect(external link)

Once an application has been submitted, you will receive an automated email. As part of the application process, you will be required to provide us with the documents listed below.

If applying for a new category and/or sub-category, this will include:

• An updated version of the Quality Management Systems, which includes:
  • All elements of Schedule 7 of the Weights and Measures Regulations 1999,
  • Amendments to the resources and personnel section
• Test procedure and test sheet.

If applying for a new individual to be added, this will include:

• Two completed test sheets, which are less than 6 months old, per applicant per category / sub-category of accreditation
• A copy of an applicant’s training record
• A screenshot showing completion of the relevant online training module(s)

For more information see Resources and training.

Step 2 – Application received

Once Trading Standards receive a complete application, the Client Manager will assist you through the increase scope process.

If necessary, the Client Manager may request any outstanding required documents.

Find out more about the role of the Client Manager.

Step 3 – Systems Audit

If the accredited organisation applies for a new category and / or sub-category, the Client Manager will conduct a Systems Audit of the Quality Management System and the associated documentation. The Systems Audit is carried out to ensure these documents meet the requirements of the legislation.

The Client Manager will raise any issues discovered as a result of the audit.

• If the issues are major, the Client Manager will contact the Management Representative and request them to amend the documentation. When the documentation meets the requirements and is approved by Trading Standards, the Client Manager will provide a Systems Audit Report.
• If the issues are minor, the Client Manager will provide a Systems Audit, which will include details of the amendments required.

Step 4 – Management Representative Audit

If the accredited organisation applies for a new category and / or sub-category, the Client Manager or a Trading Standards Officer will conduct a Management Representative audit of the appointed individual. The Management Representative audit is carried out to ensure they understand their role and responsibilities.

The Client Manager will provide a Management Representative audit report and state:

• If the individual is approved as the Management Representative, and
• If necessary, include any Conditions of Accreditation.

If the individual is unsuccessful, another Management Representative audit will be conducted. The audit has to be passed before the accreditation process can proceed.

Step 5 – Online training modules

Each individual applicant will have to complete the relevant online modules for the category / sub-category of accreditation applied for.

A screen shot of the final page of each module is to be sent to the Client Manager to confirm completion.

The Client Manager will facilitate the Compliance Audit upon receipt the results of the online training modules for each applicant.

For more information see Resources and training.

Step 6 – Compliance Audit

The Compliance Audit is carried out to ensure each applicant has the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully complete their duties of examination and testing for the category / sub-category applied for. 

The Client Manager will facilitate a Compliance Audit upon receipt of: 

• Two completed test sheets, which are less than 6 months old, per applicant per category / sub-category of accreditation
• A copy of an applicant’s training record
• A screenshot showing completion of the relevant online training module(s)

For more information see Resources and training. 

A Compliance Audit is to be conducted at a trader's premises using an instrument that is in use for trade, unless otherwise agreed with the Client Manager during the application process.

A Trading Standards Officer will conduct an audit for of each applicant per category / sub-category of accreditation. Each applicant will have to demonstrate their technical and practical competencies with an understanding of the organisation's Quality Management System. 

At the completion of the audit, the Trading Standards Officer may advise the applicant of the audit outcome. 

The Client Manager will provide the Management Representative with a Compliance Audit Report for the applicant and state if the individual is approved to be accredited. 

If an individual is not approved, go back to Step 1 and submit a new application form, if another Compliance Audit is required.

Step 7 – Update Quality Management System and Surveillance Plan

The Management Representative will update the Quality Management System and Surveillance Plan in agreement with the Client Manager.

The Surveillance Plan will record and track the surveillance activities completed by Trading Standards for all accredited individual(s) and accreditation categories under an accredited organisation.

Find out more about the Surveillance Plan.

Step 8 – Letter of Accreditation

Once the above steps have been completed, the Client Manager will issue an updated Letter of Accreditation. This letter will be valid until the expiry date, as stated on the letter, unless revoked sooner.

The Letter of Accreditation will be issued to the Manager Representative and state the name and personal identifier of the accredited organisation and list the name(s) and personal identifier(s) of the individual(s), including the categories and conditions of accreditation for each individual.

Step 9 – Verification of working standards

The accredited organisation has to submit their test equipment to a Trading Standards laboratory for verification.

The Trading Standards laboratory may provide a verification report for the equipment. Once a report is issued, the equipment is then deemed a working standard that can be used to complete verification and inspection work.

If the equipment is not compliant, the accredited organisation cannot use the equipment for verification or inspection work.

Find out more about working standards.