VersionV3.0 ✓ Published
Effective date2026-09-30
Approved byProf. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD — President, Accréditation Sans Frontières
Next reviewSeptember 2031
V3.0 — Eligibility criteria by facility type, ineligibility conditions, scope definition, 7-row documentation table, 90-day processing target, 6 references
1. Purpose
This policy establishes the eligibility criteria a healthcare facility must meet before applying for ASF accreditation, and the framework for defining the scope of the assessment. ASF accreditation is open to healthcare facilities worldwide, subject to these criteria and the availability of an applicable ASF standard.
2. Eligibility Criteria
General — all facility types
At the time of application, a facility must: (a) be legally established with all required licences; (b) have been operational for a minimum of six months in its current configuration; (c) have a physical premises; (d) have a named CEO and quality contact; (e) not be subject to a current regulatory suspension; and (f) have an applicable ASF accreditation standard.
Additional criteria by facility type
Hospital: minimum 20 inpatient beds; 24-hour emergency or acute care; named Medical Director. Ambulatory Clinic: scheduled outpatient services from a fixed premises (day surgery uses Ambulatory, not Hospital standard). Long-Term Care: residential or semi-residential care, minimum 10 resident places. Fitness and Wellness: commercially operating facility with qualified professional staff.
Ineligibility conditions
A facility is not eligible where: (a) it lacks a valid operating licence; (b) it was subject to regulatory closure or safety enforcement in the preceding 24 months; (c) ASF accreditation was withdrawn within the preceding 24 months; (d) its ownership is an ASF committee member or surveyor without documented conflict-of-interest management; or (e) no applicable ASF standard exists.
3. Accreditation Scope
The scope covers a single physical facility at a single address. Multi-site accreditation is not available. Scope is agreed before the survey and stated on the certificate. Material scope changes during the accreditation period must be notified under ASF-OPS-005, §5.
4. Application Process
Applications include: completed application form; valid operating licence; organisational chart; service description; Declaration of Eligibility signed by CEO; and application fee. ASF reviews within 15 working days. Target from complete application to survey date: 90 calendar days. Declines are communicated in writing with specific reasons; the applicant may appeal under ASF-GOV-005.
5. ISQua EEA Alignment
Supports ISQua EEA Principle 11 (Eligibility). The ASF ISQua EEA Crosswalk (ASF-EV-004) maps these provisions to the applicable EEA criteria.
Document code: ASF-OPS-006 · Version: V3.0 · Effective: 2026-09-30 ·
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Download the approved document
ASF-OPS-006 — Eligibility and Scope Policy · Version V3.0