How to Define the Right Scope in Accreditation Consulting

How to Define the Right Scope in the Accreditation Consulting Process

One of the most critical mistakes made during the accreditation process is defining the scope incorrectly or unnecessarily broad. An incorrect scope leads to longer audits, higher costs, and an increased risk of nonconformities during assessments.

For this reason, the success of accreditation largely depends on defining the correct scope. In this article, we explain how the scope should be determined during the accreditation process and why this decision is strategic.

---

What Is the Accreditation Scope?

The accreditation scope defines which activities, methods, products, standards, or services an organization is accredited for.

• Is stated on the accreditation certificate
• Determines the content of audits
• Defines the limits of national and international recognition

Therefore, scope is not just a technical detail-it is a commercial and operational decision.

---

Consequences of Defining the Wrong Scope

Incorrect or poorly planned scopes typically lead to the following problems:

• Unnecessarily long audit durations
• Increased accreditation and surveillance costs
• Inability to demonstrate technical competence in certain areas
• Higher risk of major nonconformities during audits
• Accreditation becoming ineffective for marketing and tender processes

These risks are very common when professional accreditation consulting is not used.

---

How Should the Scope Be Defined in the Accreditation Consulting Process?

1. Accurate Analysis of Current Activities

The first step is to clearly identify the activities that the organization actually performs.

Key questions to ask:

• Which services are actively provided?
• Which testing, inspection, or certification activities are regularly performed?
• Which activities are only planned but not yet implemented?

Accreditation is granted for demonstrable practices, not for activities that are not being carried out.

---

2. Defining Target Markets and Commercial Objectives

The correct scope must align not only with technical capacity but also with business goals.

• Are public tenders targeted?
• Are international projects planned?
• Is a specific sector (energy, construction, medical, etc.) prioritized?

The answers directly affect the scope’s breadth and content.

---

3. Selecting the Appropriate Standard

The scope is shaped according to the selected standard:

• ISO/IEC 17020 – Inspection bodies
• ISO/IEC 17025 – Testing and calibration laboratories
• ISO/IEC 17065 – Product certification bodies

Choosing the wrong standard can invalidate the entire accreditation process. Therefore, standard selection must be evaluated together with scope definition during accreditation consulting.

---

4. Evaluation of Personnel and Technical Competence

The scope must be based not only on documentation but also on human resources and technical infrastructure.

Auditors assess:

• Whether there is a sufficient number of competent personnel for the scope
• Whether personnel training and experience records are appropriate
• Whether equipment and methods support the requested scope

If the scope exceeds existing competence, nonconformities are inevitable.

---

5. Phased (Step-by-Step) Scope Approach

In many cases, the most effective accreditation consulting approach is a phased scope strategy.

In the initial phase:

• Only the strongest and most established activities are included

In later stages:

• Applications for scope extension are submitted

This approach:

• Keeps costs under control
• Reduces audit risk
• Ensures sustainable accreditation

---

Scope Management with Sertifike’s Accreditation Consulting Approach

At Sertifike, we treat scope definition not as a simple technical listing but as a strategic decision-making process.

Within our accreditation consulting services, we:

• Conduct detailed analysis of organizational activities
• Consider target markets and commercial expectations
• Eliminate unnecessary and high-risk scopes from the start
• Focus on audit success and international recognition
• Optimize the cost-benefit balance

Our goal is to ensure that our clients obtain accreditation with the right scope, in the shortest time, and at the lowest total cost.

---

Conclusion

The success of the accreditation process begins with defining the correct scope.

While an incorrect scope leads to loss of time, cost, and reputation, the right scope turns accreditation into a powerful competitive advantage.

For this reason, scope determination must always be managed through a professional accreditation consulting approach.

At Sertifike, we design this process on your behalf in a correct, transparent, and sustainable way.