Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the Environmental Bodies Accreditation scheme?
A1: The Environmental Bodies (EBs) Accreditation scheme is a voluntary process which enables those EBs who wish to do so to be subject to a systems-based review of their internal control and governance frameworks. If an organisation can demonstrate that they reach the required standard, ENTRUST will be able to apply a lighter regulatory touch.
Q2: Why is the Accreditation process different from Certification?
A2: The Certification process has undergone a fundamental review, which has resulted in a more robust risk-based review process. The new approach requires organisations to provide substantive evidence that their internal control and governance frameworks are effectively operating, rather than simply stating that it has the controls in place.
Q3: How has this Accreditation process been designed and reviewed?
A3: The Accreditation process has been developed in conjunction with EBs and it builds upon stakeholders' feedback on the Certification process and adopts auditing and accounting best practice standards.
Q4: If my EB was previously Certified under the older system, will it be granted Accredited status?
A4: If your EB was previously Certified under the old system, it will not be possible for you to be granted Accredited status without being subject to the robust testing required under the new system.
Q5: What benefits does the Accreditation process give EBs?
A5: Once EBs are designated as reaching the required standard, they will be subject to a lighter regulatory touch through an annual compliance review. In addition, Accredited EBs will be able to self-register projects through ENTRUST Online.
Q6: What if my organisation does not reach the required standard to be Accredited?
A6: To become accredited, EBs will be subject to a rigorous objective assessment of their internal control and governance framework. Any EBs which, do not initially reach the required standard will be, as part of the review process, provided with a report detailing the areas of improvement required to be implemented to attain Accredited status.
ENTRUST is committed to working with and providing support to EBs to ensure they are able to meet the necessary standard.
Q7: How do I go about becoming Accredited?
A7: The process is very easy, you simply complete the Expression of Interest Form and send it to ENTRUST’s Compliance Manager via email or in the post.
Q8: Once Accredited, am I still able to submit projects to ENTRUST for registration?
A8: Accredited bodies are granted the ability to register their own projects through ENTRUST Online, but this is subject to monitoring by the Regulator to ensure appropriate standards are maintained. Accredited EBs will still be able to submit projects to ENTRUST for registration in the normal way if they wish.
Q9: How do I maintain my Accredited status?
A9: All Accredited EBs will be subject to an annual review by ENTRUST, which includes in year monitoring of projects, internal controls and other Key Performance Indicators during the year.