To lodge an application, the applicant inspection body should complete the application form, HKIAS 005 and the assessment questionnaire, HKIAS 007. The completed forms and all necessary documents should be returned to the HKAS Executive together with a cheque for the application fee. The applicant inspection body should specify clearly the scope of accreditation sought in HKIAS 007. The forms, accreditation criteria documents and the fee schedule is available from the HKAS Executive or through this link : Publications
After receiving a complete application, a HKAS accreditation officer will conduct an preliminary visit to the applicant inspection body's office. During the visit, the officer will explain the HKIAS requirements and evaluate whether the inspection body is ready for the assessment. A team comprising HKAS officers and technical assessors will carry out the formal assessment. The team members and the timing of the visits are to be agreed with the applicant inspection body. The assessment programme will include visiting the office of the inspection body and witnessing sufficient number of on-site inspections. Accreditation will be granted when the inspection body has completed satisfactory corrective actions against any non-conformity found during the assessment. Accredited inspection bodies are subject to annual surveillance visits and two-yearly reassessments.
The general accreditation requirements are stated in two booklets. HKAS 002 contains the regulations. They govern the operation of HKIAS and the duties and benefits of accredited inspection bodies. HKIAS 003 spells out the technical and administrative criteria. Specific requirements for consumer product inspection are given in HKIAS Supplementary Criteria No. 1. It covers the requirements for approved inspectors, approved signatories and other requirements specific to consumer product inspection. Specific requirements for construction products inspections are given in HKIAS Supplementary Criteria No. 2 on general construction products and HKIAS Supplementary Criteria No. 3 on welding inspection. Specific requirements for indoor air quality inspection is given in HKIAS Supplemetary Criteria No. 4. Specific requirements for scene of crime investigation are given in HKIAS Supplementary Criteria No. 7. In addition, all accredited inspection bodies must comply with the accreditation regulations given in HKIAS Supplementary Criteria No. 5.
For further information in obtaining accreditations, interested inspection bodies may contact HKAS Senior Accreditation Officer, Mr Nick C C Leung for consumer products inspection, Mr Jeffrey T T LEUNG, for construction products and welding inspections; Dr John C W Ho, for indoor air quality inspection; and Dr. Daria C H Wong, for scence of crime investigation.
HKIAS is operated by the Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS). HKAS also operates the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) and the Hong Kong Certification Body Accreditation Scheme (HKCAS). HKIAS started to accept applications from 15 December 1999. Initially, it only provided accreditation for consumer product inspection. From 1 April 2002, accreditation service is extended to inspection of construction products and inspection of welds. To enhance the creditability of the inspection bodies of the "Indoor Air Quality Certification Scheme" which is administered by Environmental Protection Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government, HKIAS further extended its accreditation service to cover indoor air quality inspection from 20 July 2006. On 20 December 2017, accreditation service for scene of crime investigation also became available. Accredited inspection bodies may issue inspection reports and certificates bearing the HKIAS accreditation symbol according to the HKIAS regulations.