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:
ISQua EEA’s primary programme is the International Accreditation Programme (IAP)
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 four separate peer review assessment options:
- Accreditation of Health and Social Care Standards
- Accreditation of External Evaluation Organisations
- Accreditation of Surveyor Training Programmes
- Accreditation of Quality and Patient Safety Training Programmes
ISQua EEA’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. ISQua EEA bases its evaluation of bodies and standards exclusively on privately developed standards, and they do not comprise an assessment or accreditation by public authorities.
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.
Our continuous accreditation process encourages growth and development
All organisations must complete an application form and pay the access fee prior to entry into the programme.
Our Programmes
External Evaluation Organisations
Organisations are assessed against the ISQua EEA Standards for External Evaluation Organisations. Three international peer review surveyors travel to the organisation for a 5-day survey. Prior to the survey, the organisation is required to submit a self-assessment with supporting evidence via our online survey management tool ISQua EEA Collaborate. The organisation is responsible for the costs of the surveyors’ flexible economy flights, accommodation and subsistence.
External Evaluation Organisations
Organisations are assessed against the ISQua EEA's Standards for External Evaluation Organisations. Three international peer review surveyors travel to the organisation for a 5-day survey. Prior to the survey, the organisation is required to submit a self-assessment with supporting evidence via our online survey management tool ISQua EEA Collaborate. The organisation is responsible for the costs of the surveyors’ flexible economy flights, accommodation and subsistence.
Health and Social Care Standards
An organisation's standards are assessed against the ISQua EEA Principles for the Development of Health and Social Care Standards. This is a desktop/remote survey which takes place over two weeks. Organisations are required to submit a self-assessment, a copy of their standards and supporting evidence via our online survey management tool ISQua EEA Collaborate. A team of international peer review surveyors will assess the level of compliance against the ISQua EEA Principles.
Health and Social Care Standards
An organisation's standards are assessed against the ISQua EEA's Principles for the Development of Health and Social Care Standards. This is a desktop/remote survey which takes place over two weeks. Organisations are required to submit a self-assessment, a copy of their standards and supporting evidence via our online survey management tool ISQua EEA Collaborate. A team of international peer review surveyors will assess the level of compliance against the ISQua EEA's Principles.
Surveyor Training Programme
Surveyor training programmes are assessed against the ISQua EEA Standards for Surveyor Training Programmes. This is a desktop/remote survey which takes place over two weeks. Organisations are required to submit a self-assessment with supporting evidence via our online survey management tool ISQua EEA Collaborate. Afterwards, two international peer review surveyors will assess the level of compliance against the ISQua EEA Standards for Surveyor Training Programmes. Organisations who have previously received surveyor training programme accreditation may subsequently elect for the combined on-site organisational and surveyor training programme survey, for which they receive two separate awards.
Surveyor Training Programme
Surveyor training programmes are assessed against the ISQua EEA's Standards for Surveyor Training Programmes. This is a desktop/remote survey which takes place over two weeks. Organisations are required to submit a self-assessment with supporting evidence via our online survey management tool ISQua EEA Collaborate. Afterwards, two international peer review surveyors will assess the level of compliance against the ISQua EEA's Standards for Surveyor Training Programmes.
Organisations who have previously received surveyor training programme accreditation may subsequently elect for the combined on-site organisational and surveyor training programme survey, for which they receive two separate awards.
Quality and Patient Safety Training Programme
Quality and patient safety training programmes are assessed against the ISQua EEA Guidelines and Standards for Quality and Patient Safety Training Programmes. This is a desktop/remote survey which takes place over the course of a week. Organisations are required to submit a self-assessment with supporting evidence via our online survey management tool ISQua EEA Collaborate. Afterwards one international peer review surveyor will assess the organisation’s compliance with the Guidelines and Standards for Quality and Patient Safety Training Programmes.
Quality and Patient Safety Training Programme
Quality and patient safety training programmes are assessed against the ISQua EEA Guidelines and Standards for Quality and Patient Safety Training Programmes. This is a desktop/remote survey which takes place over the course of a week. Organisations are required to submit a self-assessment with supporting evidence via our online survey management tool ISQua EEA Collaborate. Afterwards one international peer review surveyor will assess the organisation’s compliance with the Guidelines and Standards for Quality and Patient Safety Training Programmes.
Current Awards
ISQua EEA Accreditation is granted for four years. Accredited organisations receive the final survey report, an ISQua EEA Accreditation Certificate and the use of an ‘ISQua EEA Accredited’ logo. All IAP awards are acknowledged annually at ISQua’s International Conference.
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Please ensure that you have downloaded and reviewed the Guidelines and Principles for the Development of Health and Social Care Standards.
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.
| IAP Fees 2024 |
|---|
Access Fee - The access fee is a once off payment, which entitles an organisation to enter the Programme and receive the full IAP information pack
| 2024 | |
| Low Income Countries | €1,650 |
| Lower Middle-Income Countries | €1,925 |
| Upper Middle-Income Countries - Category 1 | €2,200 |
| Upper Middle-Income Countries - Category 2 | €2,475 |
| High-Income Countries | €2,750 |
IAP Fees per annum - Low Income Countries
These fees apply to organisations located and operating in low-income countries as rated by the WorldBank.
| 2024 | |
| Standards Assessment | €3,300 |
| Surveyor Training Programme | €2,750 |
| Quality and Patient Safety Training Programme | €3,500 |
| Organisational Survey | €3,850 |
| Organisational Survey – utilising standards developed by another organisation | €4,950 |
IAP 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.
| 2024 | |
| Standards Assessment | €3,630 |
| Surveyor Training Programme | €2,970 |
| Quality and Patient Safety Training Programme | €3,800 |
| Organisational Survey | €4,400 |
| Organisational Survey – utilising standards developed by another organisation | €5,500 |
IAP 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 2023 classification here
| 2024 | |
| Standards Assessment | €3,850 |
| Surveyor Training Programme | €3,300 |
| Quality and Patient Safety Training Programme | €4,200 |
| Organisational Survey | €4,950 |
| Organisational Survey – utilising standards developed by another organisation | €6,050 |
Category 2 – For countries with a GNI > the range mid-point for the respective year based on the country classification list.
Please view the 2023 classification here
| 2024 | |
| Standards Assessment | €4,125 |
| Surveyor Training Programme | €3,575 |
| Quality and Patient Safety Training Programme | €4,500 |
| Organisational Survey | €5,225 |
| Organisational Survey – utilising standards developed by another organisation | €6,325 |
IAP Fees per annum - High-Income Countries
These fees apply to organisations located and operating in high-income countries as rated by the World Bank.
| 2024 | |
| Standards Assessment | €4,400 |
| Surveyor Training Programme | €3,850 |
| Quality and Patient Safety Training Programme | €4,700 |
| Organisational Survey | €5,500 |
| Organisational Survey – utilising standards developed by another organisation | €6,600 |
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.
Reference Materials
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.
Previous IAP Award Ceremonies
Organisations who have achieved ISQua EEA Accreditation are acknowledged annually at ISQua’s International Conference.