Composition of the Association

Membership of the Association

Two types of membership, set out in the statutes and the regulation on structure. The Association does not pursue growth in membership numbers — the composition widens when an organisation is ready to work in the committees, not merely to appear on a list.

Types of membership

Permanent and associate members

The two types differ in the scope of rights in governing the Association. They make no difference to participation in the work of the committees and expert councils.

First type
Permanent members

The founders of the Association — two legal entities. They take decisions on amendments to the statutes, the composition of the Council and the principal directions of activity. The set of permanent members was fixed at establishment and is not extended.

Number 2
Status Founders
Decisions on the statutes Yes
Admission of new members Not provided for
Second type
Associate members

Industry associations, expert, certification and training organisations that have accepted the statutes and the membership regulation. They take part in the work of the standing committees and expert councils and vote on draft requirements.

Number 10+
Status Participants
Vote in the committees Yes
Admission of new members On application
What membership consists of

What membership gives — and what it does not

It gives
Rights connected with taking part in the development of requirements and in the life of the professional community.
  • Participation in the work of the standing committees
  • A vote on draft standards and assessment schemes
  • Nomination of representatives to the expert councils
  • Access to working material and draft documents
  • A part in forming the Association's position on international documents
  • Representation in agreements with industry unions
It does not give
Stated plainly, to remove expectations that membership cannot meet by its very nature.
  • Any advantage in accreditation by EAAC
  • A simplified route through certification
  • The right to issue certificates independently
  • Influence over decisions on individual applicants
  • Exclusive rights to apply the Association's schemes
  • Commercial guarantees or any commitment as to volume of work
Requirements for applicants

Who may become an associate member

The criteria concern not the size of an organisation but its capacity and readiness to take part in substantive work. The industry an applicant belongs to makes no difference.

01
Legal status
The organisation is registered and operates in the field it states. Individuals are not admitted as members — for them, attestation through the relevant committee is provided instead.
02
Relation to the subject
The organisation's activity is connected with conformity assessment, the training of specialists, industry regulation or the practical application of assessment schemes.
03
Acceptance of the statutes and principles
The organisation accepts the statutes, the regulation on structure and types of membership, and the principles of the Sustainability and Security Assessment Initiative.
04
Readiness to take part
The organisation appoints a representative to work in a standing committee or an expert council. Membership without participation in the work of the bodies is not maintained by the Association.
Procedure

How to join the Association

The procedure takes as long as the Council needs to consider the application. An application is not treated as a commercial proposal and requires no prior arrangements.

01
Enquiry
The organisation writes to info@eaass.org with a short account of its activity and its interest in the work of the Association.
02
Documents
In reply it receives the statutes, the membership regulation and the application form, which it completes with its registration details.
03
Consideration
The Council of the Association considers the application and takes a decision on admission. Where admission is refused, the grounds are given.
04
Entry into the work
The organisation joins the Association and appoints its representatives to a standing committee or an expert council.
To begin, write to info@eaass.org stating the name of the organisation, its field of activity and the area you would like to work in: standardization, attestation or one of the expert councils.
Write to the Association Contact
Where members do their work
Structure
Three standing committees, three expert councils and a research and practice centre. Representatives of associate members work here — membership exists for the sake of that participation.
Structure
A step that requires no membership
Initiative
If working in the committees is not yet on the agenda, an organisation may join the Initiative — accept the principles of sound assessment practice and enter the public list of signatories.
About the Initiative