Economics of accreditation

First extensive study on the economic roles and impact of accreditation in the UK (2013).

KEY MESSAGES:

  • Accreditation increases the credibility of test results and certificates so producers can gain greater commercial benefits from products and services offered.
  • Averaged across all conformity assessment services, around 45% of the market is in accredited services.
  • Respondents reported that prices for accredited services were higher on average by an estimated 8%.
  • 50% of respondents considered that accreditation was a marketing and reputational advantage.
  • 16% felt that it was a requirement of their customers.
  • 20% reported benefits in efficiency and service quality from the assessment process.
  • Findings suggest that there are substantial benefits of accreditation in the quality infrastructure and the innovation system more generally.

Source: The Economics of Accreditation by Marion Frenz and Ray Lambert, Birkbeck, University of London, completed in March 2013