The International Accreditation Programme (IAP) delivers a unique global accreditation service to health and social care external evaluation organisations and standards developing bodies.
Since 1999, the IAP has provided these organisations with an independent third-party assessment process to validate existing systems and drive continuous quality improvement. The IAP enables these organisations to demonstrate their credibility and benchmark their performance on an international level. Operating in over 60 countries, the IAP offers three separate peer review assessment options:
Standards Recognition Programme
ISQua EEA has developed the Guidelines and Standards for the Standards Recognition Programme to facilitate the assessment of health and social care standards that focus on a specific clinical service or aspect of care. These could include standards for infection prevention and control, stroke services or clinical risk management.
Through this new programme, standards-developing bodies can demonstrate that their specialised health and social care standards have been developed in accordance with international best practice taking into consideration evidence-based guidelines, legislative requirements, expert knowledge and stakeholder engagement.
This programme is distinct from the IAP which assesses standards focused on organisation and/or service-wide care such as standards for acute hospitals.
IEEA’s activity does not constitute an accreditation within the meaning of Article 2 (10) of Regulation (EC) NO. 765 / 2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008. IEEA bases its evaluation of bodies and standards exclusively on privately set standards, and they do not comprise an assessment or accreditation by public authorities.
The Standards Recognition Programme process is the same as that of the IAP
All organisations must complete an application form and pay the access fee prior to entry into the programme.
Apply Now
Please ensure that you have downloaded and reviewed the Guidelines and Standards for the Standards Recognition Programme.
Please contact us if you have any questions at support@ieea.ch

Programme Fees
The ISQua EEA fees are based on the World Bank rankings for the country in which an organisation is located and operating out of.
Standard Recognition Fees 2023 |
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Access Fee - The access fee is a once off payment, which entitles an organisation to enter the Programme and receive the full recognition information pack
2022 - 2024 | |
Low Income Countries | €1,500 |
Lower Middle-Income Countries | €1,750 |
Upper Middle-Income Countries - Category 1 | €2,000 |
Upper Middle-Income Countries - Category 2 | €2,250 |
High-Income Countries | €2,500 |
Standard Recognition Fees per annum - Low Income Countries
These fees apply to organisations located and operating in low-income countries as rated by the WorldBank.
2023 | |
Standards Recognition Programme |
€3,500 |
Standard Recognition Fees per annum - Lower Middle-Income Countries
These fees apply to organisations located and operating in lower-middle-income countries as rated by the WorldBank.
2023 | |
Standards Recognition Programme |
€3,800 |
Standards Recognition Fees per annum - Upper Middle-Income Countries
These fees apply to organisations located and operating in upper-middle-income countries as rated by the WorldBank.
There are now two categories of fees for upper-middle-income countries based on the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita for each country.
Category 1 – For countries with a GNI < the range mid-point for the respective year based on the country classification list.
Please view the 2022 classification here
2023 | |
Standards Recognition Programme |
€4,200 |
Category 2 – For countries with a GNI > the range mid-point for the respective year based on the country classification list.
Please view the 2022 classification here
2023 | |
Standards Recognition Programme | €4,500 |
Standards Recognition Fees per annum - High-Income Countries
These fees apply to organisations located and operating in high-income countries as rated by the World Bank.
2023 | |
Standards Recognition Programme | €4,700 |
Discounts Available
The following discount options are now available. Only one discount option will apply.
Client organisations will be advised if they are eligible for a discount and which option applies. Details of the discount applied will be included on invoices issued either on an annual basis or when such discounts apply.
DISCOUNT 1 - MULTIPLE STANDARDS: If the organisation has two or more sets of standards accredited with ISQua EEA, then a 5% discount will be applied to the third and any subsequent set of standards accredited with ISQua EEA.
DISCOUNT 2 - FULL IAP PACKAGE: If the organisation has applied for, or recieved accreditation for their Standards, Surveyor Training Programme and Organisation, a 5% discount will apply.
First Time Clients
For organisations submitting a set of standards for accreditation for the first time, an additional optional service of an advance technical review is available at an extra cost of €1,000.
This allows the organisation to prepare their submission in advance of scheduling a survey and to receive guidance on the actual submission including where criteria may have been misinterpreted, where gaps in compliance are noted or where additional evidence may be required.
This gives client organisations time to work on their submission and to agree on realistic survey dates with
ISQua EEA based on the feedback received.
ISQua EEA Surveyors
At the heart of the IAP are the ISQua EEA surveyors. ISQua EEA has experienced international professionals who work with health and social care external evaluation organisations around the world. Their role is to validate an organisation’s self-assessment and confirm their level of achievement against the ISQua EEA Principles and Standards. The ISQua EEA surveyors provide the organisation with a written report identifying the organisation’s strengths and promoting continuous quality improvement.