IAF Recognition for Automotive Conformity Assessment Bodies
IAF recognition acknowledges automotive-focused Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) that produce
repeatable, auditable and comparable technical evidence across the vehicle lifecycle — from crashworthiness and ADAS
performance to EV battery safety, powertrain durability, emissions/efficiency and software & cybersecurity confidence.
What recognition means: method control, competence, impartial decision-making and
transparent reporting — with a public scope statement that clearly defines methods, ranges, conditions and limitations.
Why Automotive CAB Recognition Matters
Automotive claims only become trustworthy when they are supported by evidence that can be repeated and compared.
IAF recognition focuses on real-world comparability: the same method, the same conditions, and the same reporting discipline —
so results can be trusted by industry, regulators, fleets and consumers.
Comparable Results
Defined methods & conditions so ADAS, crash or battery outcomes can be compared across facilities.
Impartial Evidence
Conflict controls, unbiased decisions, and traceability from raw data to conclusions.
Audit-Ready Reporting
Clear scope statements, decision rules and controlled records for technical accountability.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to specialised organisations that deliver reliable automotive evidence.
Eligibility is assessed based on the automotive scope you declare and your ability to deliver
repeatable, auditable and comparable outcomes.
Automotive Test Organisations
Facilities that generate quantitative technical evidence using controlled setups, documented procedures and defined decision rules.
Crash tests
ADAS / AEB
EV battery safety
Brake performance
Durability
Powertrain
Transmission / gearbox
Emissions / efficiency
- Eligibility: method control, competence, equipment records and data integrity practices.
- Typical scope: method + ranges/conditions (speed, temperature, SOC, load, road surface, etc.).
Testing
Vehicle Inspection & Appraisal Organisations
Organisations that perform structured checks and technical assessments, turning observations into consistent, auditable findings.
Vehicle condition assessments
Roadworthiness checks
Compliance inspections
Component inspection
Recall verification
Fleet audits
- Eligibility: inspection procedures, acceptance criteria, impartiality controls, consistent reporting.
- Typical scope: inspection types + criteria + reporting format + limitations.
Inspection
Automotive Certification Bodies
Independent bodies issuing certificates against defined automotive programmes and rule sets, based on objective evidence and structured decision-making.
Safety programmes
Software integrity
Cyber requirements
Sustainability claims
Supply chain systems
Quality management
- Eligibility: competence, impartial decision logic, complaints/appeals handling.
- Typical scope: scheme rules + audit methods + certificate boundaries.
Certification
Software & Cybersecurity Evaluation Labs
Organisations evaluating connected-vehicle resilience and software assurance with controlled testbeds and documented security workflows.
ECU security
Pen testing
OTA update assurance
Data integrity
Logging & forensics
- Eligibility: secure lab controls, qualified assessors, evidence preservation and reporting discipline.
- Typical scope: test vectors + threat model assumptions + limitations.
Digital Integrity
Validation & Verification Bodies
Bodies that validate or verify defined automotive claims using structured evidence review and decision rules.
Performance claims
Safety assertions
Sustainability reporting
Data integrity outcomes
- Eligibility: decision rules, competence, impartiality controls, transparent reporting.
- Typical scope: claim boundaries + evidence requirements + verification approach.
V&V
Quality Management System Auditors (Automotive)
Organisations providing conformity evidence for automotive supply-chain management systems, where programmes require independent assurance.
ISO 9001 (automotive)
Process capability
Supplier assurance
- Eligibility: competent auditors, impartiality, consistent audit methods and reporting.
- Typical scope: programme rules + audit boundaries + certificate validity conditions.
QMS
Automotive-first scope: Every recognised CAB is listed with methods, ranges, conditions and limitations
(e.g., speed bands for ADAS, temperature windows for battery testing, load profiles for drivetrain tests).
What We Validate
Methods & Protocols
Documented procedures, revision control, and repeatability across automotive test scenarios.
Measurement Confidence
Defined acceptance criteria, uncertainty awareness and traceability for critical metrics.
Equipment & Control
Equipment records, maintenance controls, environmental conditions and data capture integrity.
Competence & Impartiality
Qualified personnel, training records, conflict controls and complaint/appeal handling.
Automotive reporting discipline: results must be reproducible, assumptions declared, and raw-to-summary traceability maintained.
Typical Automotive Scope Areas
Crash & Occupant Protection
Frontal/side/rear, restraint systems, dummy setup control, post-test analysis and reporting.
ADAS / AEB Validation
Scenario design, documented ODD, speed bands, decision rules and repeatability controls.
EV Battery Safety & Performance
Thermal events, propagation checks, abuse tests, cycle life metrics and safety documentation.
Powertrain & Transmission
Gearbox endurance, shift-quality metrics, lubrication conditions, load profiles and durability evidence.
Recognition Workflow
1) Pre-check & Scope Draft
Submit a scope outline with methods, ranges, conditions, decision rules and reporting templates.
2) Evidence Review
Review technical dossiers: method control, competence, equipment records and data integrity practice.
3) Verification
On-site / witness activities validate execution (e.g., ADAS run setup, crash instrumentation, battery safety controls).
4) Decision & Public Listing
Recognition granted and CAB listed in the IAF directory with a clear, public scope statement.
Label Use & Public Directory
Recognised CABs may use the “IAF Recognised Automotive CAB” label according to guidelines,
always linked to their published scope.
Directory listing includes: organisation name, recognised scope areas, validity period, IAF-ID and contact details —
plus method references, decision rules and limitations.
Ready to Begin Recognition?
Send a pre-check request with your automotive scope draft. We will guide you through evidence review,
verification and public listing.
Apply for IAF Recognition