1.1 This terminology defines terms related to accreditation and certification. These terms are compiled from existing ASTM Commitee E36 standards and other sources to enable the development of future ASTM documents and to provide guidance on proper usage of the terms. The first edition of this standard contained terms relating to personnel certificate and certification programs and is expanded. The source document for each definition is cited when an appropriate document is available. Many definitions are the product of the committee that compiled this terminology, and as such, are the result of the collected knowledge and experience of the committee members.

1.1.1 Since accreditation and certification are being carried out by many different bodies in many fields, usage of descriptive terms can vary. There is no attempt to include all accreditation and certification terms in this terminology. Rather, this terminology contains those terms most commonly encountered in accreditation and certification programs.

1.2 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.