GOVERNANCE
What governance means
Governance is of fundamental importance to Accredi because it gives confidence that we are fulfilling our goals. It defines what we mean by ‘well managed’ and how we function to:
- meet the expectations of our stakeholders
- ensure we meet statutory and commercial obligations
- comply with community expectations.
Accredi aims to be effective, efficient and transparent in delivering our services. We are impartial in decision making and regularly monitor our performance, always looking for ways to improve.
We treat everyone we deal with fairly and with courtesy and respect. We protect privacy and confidentiality every step of the way.
GOVERNING BOARD
At the top, overseeing all operations, is our 10-member Governing Board which has sole authority over the rights and responsibilities of Accredi. This includes authority over the conduct of the Technical Advisory Council and the Accreditation Review Board.
The Governing Board appoints the members of the Technical Advisory Council.
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Technical Advisory Council represents Accredi stakeholders and ensures our activities are impartial and transparent. It advises the Governing Board on matters relating to Accredi, including the Accreditation Review Board.
The Technical Advisory Council-no more than 25 members with a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson-ensures that technical experts and stakeholders are involved in developing accreditation programs. It also supervises working groups and technical committees.
ACCREDITATION REVIEW BOARD
The Accreditation Review Board is appointed by the Governing Board. It comprises individuals with appropriate technical experience and expertise from a cross section of industries and technologies. The Accreditation Review Board is responsible for decisions in relation to the granting, maintaining, extending, reducing, suspending and withdrawing accreditation.
SECRETARIAT
The Secretariat is the administrative arm of the Board. It is located in US. It:
- administers the accreditation process
- coordinates the work of technical committees associated with accreditation programmes
- provides input into national and international committees and working groups
- provides input into the development of new accreditation programs.
GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK
Accredi operations are overseen by a governing board. The Technical Advisory Council and the Accreditation Review Board bring technical expertise and stakeholder involvement to the development of accreditation programs and the accreditation decision. The Accredi Secretariat is responsibile for administering the accreditation process, co-ordinating the technical committees associated with the accreditation process, co-ordinating the technical committees associated with the accreditation schemes, providing input into national and international committees and working groups, and facilitiating the development of new accreditation programs and schemes.
MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
- is built on a system of delegations and authorities, acknowledgements and undertakings that ensures a high level of accountability
- is able to provide reliable assurance that it is functioning as the Governing Board and managers intend and there is a reasonable expectation that its obligations will be met
- has the capability and competence to meet the goals of the Accredi Treaty
- recognises the value of collaboration as essential to achieving the goals of the Accredi Treaty
- understands the range of its compliance obligations and complies with these in a principled way
- is committed to the highest standards of ethical behaviour, integrity and fairness
- is guided by financial stewardship to deliver value over profit and support a stable accreditation system
- manages knowledge, information and data as assets
- has a strong service orientation aimed at value for end-users through professional service delivery
- adopts an approach to strategy, planning and risk management that is systematic and comprehensive.