Accreditation
Accreditation FAQs
Clear answers about eligibility, routes, scope, assessment, decisions and public records.
Frequently asked questions
Routes, scope and decisions
Is AF Membership required for accreditation?
No. Membership and Accreditation are separate institutional relationships. Membership does not influence route selection, assessment findings or accreditation decisions.
Which accreditation route should we choose?
Choose according to the principal activity: testing or calibration, inspection, certification, or a clearly bounded specialist aerospace function. AF confirms the route during initial scope review.
Can an organization hold more than one route?
Yes, where it performs distinct eligible activities. Each route and scope is assessed and recorded separately.
Does accreditation approve every activity of an organization?
No. Accreditation applies only to the activities, methods, subjects and locations stated in the approved public scope.
Does Accreditation replace regulatory authorization?
No. Accreditation is an assessment of competence within a defined scope. Applicants remain responsible for every applicable legal, safety and regulatory obligation.
Can specialized or emerging activities be submitted?
Yes. Describe the operational activity, competence basis and proposed technical boundary. AF will determine whether it is assessable and which route is appropriate.
How long does assessment take?
Timing depends on scope complexity, locations, evidence readiness, assessor availability and the closure of findings. AF establishes an assessment plan after scope review.
What appears in the public directory?
Only approved public records appear: organization, status, route, effective and review dates, and the controlled scope. Application records are not published automatically.
Can a scope or status change?
Yes. Extension, reduction, suspension, withdrawal or expiry follows controlled review and is reflected in the public record where applicable.
What should not be uploaded with an initial application?
Do not submit classified, export-controlled, security-sensitive or unnecessary proprietary technical information. AF will request specific evidence through controlled channels when needed.