Archive Service Accreditation

Archive Service Accreditation is the UK standard for archive services supported by The National Archives, Archives and Records Association, National Library of Wales, National Records Scotland and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.

It defines good practice and agreed standards for archive services across the UK, thereby encouraging and supporting the development of the archive service.

It allows archive services to participate in a scheme supporting the ongoing development of their service against a nationally agreed standard.

The Archive Service Accreditation Standard looks at an organisation’s ability to develop, care for, and provide access to its collections, and those areas such as resources and planning which underpin those activities.

Why is it important to us?

Accreditation is important to us because it:

Offers us a benchmark to gauge our performance against, enabling us to celebrate and recognise our achievements and find ways to improve and build upon these.
Helps to spread knowledge about our services and archives.
Helps us to adapt and respond to the needs and interests of our users.
Encourages and enables us to develop partnerships and work closely with other archives and organisations.
Provides us with a robust framework for developing forward plans, policies and procedures.
Acts as a badge of external recognition which demonstrates that we provide a wide range of high-quality services.

Key facts

Archive Service Accreditation offers an external, and independent, accreditation.
Our Accreditation is valid a term of six years, subject to a successful review after three years.

If you're interested in learning more about Archive Service Accreditation please contact Gary Brannan, Archivist.