4.1 A certification body issuing certifications in the field of search and rescue is required to meet the requirements identified in this guide.

4.2 This guide can be used by an authority having jurisdiction to determine whether to accept a certification from a certification body.

4.3 This guide can be used by an authority having jurisdiction to validate audit a certifying body.

4.4 This guide can be used by a certifying body to validate that its certification scheme, certification process, and certification system meet industry standards.

4.5 Any certification body operating in accordance to ANSI-ISO-IEC 17024 or equivalent shall be considered to be in compliance with this standard.

1.1 This guide defines the organizational structure, policies, and procedures required to operate a certification program in the field of search and rescue.

1.2 Certifications are used by authorities having jurisdiction as a component to their credentialing process, typically to demonstrate one component of an individual’s ability to field.

1.3 Certifications are typically provided by third party, disinterested providers and are commonly used to validate an individual’s, team’s, or authority having jurisdiction’s training program in a particular area.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 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.