How ASF Governs Itself
Four independent bodies. Seven statutory constraints. Full public transparency. Designed to prevent ASF from becoming what it criticises.
The Four Governance Bodies
Board of Directors
Responsible for strategic direction, financial oversight, and constitutional compliance. Cannot make individual accreditation decisions. Cannot alter constitutional protections without the required supermajority processes.
Accreditation Decision Committee (ADC)
Makes all formal accreditation decisions. External majority — the majority of members have no financial relationship with ASF. Chair is elected by ADC members, not appointed by ASF leadership. Simple majority to accredit, two-thirds majority to deny. Structurally independent of ASF operations.
Full ADC composition and process → · ADC in the Model →
International Standards Council
Oversees standards development and revision. Clinical experts from multiple countries. Manages the six-step revision process, mandatory equity review, and evidence base for each criterion. Conflict of interest register published publicly.
Standards Council → · How Standards Are Developed →
Patient and Public Council
Provides patient and public voice in ASF governance. Contributes to standards development. Manages the public concern reporting channel.
The Constitutional Protections
Seven provisions in ASF’s founding statutes that cannot be changed by management decision or standard Board vote.
- Fee schedule always public
- Standards always free
- Non-profit tier permanent
- ADC independence permanent
- Non-distribution constraint — can never become for-profit
- Annual public accountability report mandatory
- Five-year independent external review mandatory
