State-funded services
State service production and exercise of authority are typically funded through appropriations in the state budget. For Norsk akkreditering, this applies to activities that do not generate income, such as work in international accreditation organizations, further development of accreditation schemes, and information activities.
Fee-funded services
Norsk akkreditering's activities related to accreditation, other approval schemes, and related activities are covered through fees. This is stated in the annual letter of allocation that Norsk akkreditering receives from the supervising ministry.
Various activities are carried out in connection with our accreditation activities. A more detailed description of these activities, including an explanation of which activities are covered by the different fees, is provided below.
Calculation of fee rates
Provisions regarding state fee and tax financing are discussed in circular R-112/2015 from the Ministry of Finance. The circular provides guidelines for the administration of the schemes and the determination of rates.
The calculation of the fee rates for Norwegian Accreditation includes costs that can be attributed to our accreditation activities. These are costs that enable us to meet the market's demand for accredited services. This includes the actual resource consumption related to the various accreditation activities, as well as costs for infrastructure, investment and development work, updating and administration of accreditation services. A proportionate share of shared/operating costs is also included in the basis. The costs of producing and delivering the fee-based services are based on cost-effective operation in Norwegian Accreditation.
Costs that are excluded from the calculation basis and should not be covered by fees include costs incurred in the exercise of state-funded services (mentioned above), reimbursable costs such as travel expenses and the purchase of technical expertise in connection with assessment activities (directly billed to the customer), as well as costs incurred in the execution of activities with other financing arrangements (such as EMAS, courses, and other events).
Accreditation activity
Work performed by our employees in connection with the application for new accreditation or application for expansion of existing accreditation is financed by the application fee. This covers activities such as:
- Initial contact with potential new applicants (before the application is received)
- Information meetings
- Responding to inquiries via phone, email, etc.
- General individual guidance
- Registration of new accreditation applications
- Receipt and filing
- Registration of organization-related information in the system
- Registration of applications for expansion of existing accreditations
Work performed by Norwegian Accreditation employees or hired assessors/experts in connection with processing an application (new accreditation or expansion of existing accreditation) or in connection with follow-up of an existing accreditation, is financed by the processing fee. This covers activities such as:
- Preparation
- Planning of assessment activities
- Organization of the assessors' team
- Travel arrangements
- Document review/preparation
- Conducting the assessment including travel time
- Follow-up work
- Reporting
- Non-conformity handling
- Updating the scope of accreditation
- Follow-up activities
- Decisions regarding accreditation
- Follow-up and project closure
- Work related to any expansions
The work performed by our employees in the maintenance and administration of existing accreditations is funded by the annual fee. This covers activities such as:
- Contact with accredited organizations beyond specific assessment activities (projects)
- Overall resource planning and follow-up with accredited organizations
- Availability of scope on the web
- Maintenance of relevant professional competence in NA
- Directives, regulations, standards, regulations, and guidance documents, etc.
- Quality assurance (evaluations and observations)
The work performed by our employees in the maintenance and administration of technical competence is funded by the administration and harmonization fee. This covers activities such as:
- Harmonization
- Updating registrations and approvals
- Evaluations and observations
- Agreement management
- Assistance and guidance
- Maintenance of governing documents
Regulation on fees
Payment for the services provided by Norwegian Accreditation is set out in the Regulation on fees for Norwegian Accreditation services (FOR-2021-07-19-2432). The regulation is adopted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries. The current and updated types and rates of fees are stated in the regulation.