1. HKAS Accreditation Service for Certification of Management System of RCHE Service Providers Mr WONG Wang-wah Assistant Commissioner for Innovation and Technology 1

2. Contents Introduction of Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS)
HKAS Accreditation Service for Certification of Management System of Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) [RCHE] Service Providers
Benefits of HKAS Accredited Certification 2

3. Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS)3

4. Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS)
A section of Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
Provides accreditation services to conformity assessment bodies (e.g. laboratories, certification bodies, inspection bodies) 4

5. HKAS Structure HKAS Executive Assessors & Technical Accreditation
Certification
Bodies, Verification/
Validation
Body
Accreditation
Advisory Board
(AAB)
18 members
Task Forces
(15)
Working Parties (13)
Assessors &
Technical
Experts
(over 600)
(Part Time)
Laboratories, Proficiency
Testing Providers, Reference Material Producers
Inspection
Bodies
HKAS
Executive
(Nov 2018) 5

6. Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS)
HKAS Executive is responsible for administering HKAS, including the three accreditation schemes
Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS)
Hong Kong Certification Body Accreditation Scheme (HKCAS)
Hong Kong Inspection Body Accreditation Scheme (HKIAS) 6

7. HKAS Objectives
To upgrade the standard of operation of conformity assessment bodies in Hong Kong
To offer official recognition to competent conformity assessment bodies which meet international standards
To promote the acceptance of conformity assessment results issued by accredited conformity assessment bodies 7

8. Features of HKAS Accreditation
Participation in the accreditation is voluntary.
Independent and impartial assessments based on international standards.
Rigorous assessment and monitoring processes 8

9. International Recognition
HKAS is signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF) Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA).
Endorsed test reports and accredited certificates issued by HKAS accredited organisations are recognised by HKAS’ MRA / MLA signatories (in over 100 economies in the world) 9

10. ILAC MRA IAF MLA 10 2012 ILAC Inspection 2000 ILAC
Testing and Calibration
2004
IAF
Quality Management System
2011
IAF
Environmental Management Sys. & Product
2017
IAF
Food Safety Management System
2018
IAF
Energy Management System
2017
IAF FSMS 10

11. HKAS Accreditation Service on Certification of Management System of Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Service Providers’ (RCHE) Service Providers 11

12. Certification VS Accreditation12

13. An RCHE service provider implements management system in its home for
improving service quality.
Establish quality policy and objectives
Establish procedure for the necessary processes (including social and nursing care)
Train staff on the management system
Maintain proper records
Monitor the implementation of the management system and improve where necessary 13

14. A certification body grants certification
to the RHCE service provider upon
confirming the organisation’s conformity
with certification requirements.
Review the RCHE’s documentation
Audit the RCHE on-site (e.g. checking operation records, observing nursing care process, inspecting the environment)
Monitor the performance of the RCHE after granting certification through surveillance and recertification audits 14

15. HKAS assesses the competence and
performance of the certification body.
Accreditation is granted to a certification body which conforms to accreditation requirements.
Evaluate the management system of the certification body
Witness audit activities conducted by the certification body at an RCHE 15

16. Accreditation Process
Application No
1. Reject Application or
2. Ask for further information
Scheme Satisfies
HKAS Acceptance
Criteria?
Yes – Accept Application
Document Review
Preliminary Visit
Monitoring
Reassessment
Surveillance
Office and Witness Assessment
Follow up visit if necessary
Satisfactory
Outcome?
Remedial Action No
Yes
Accreditation granted
Regular Intervals 16

17. HKAS Accreditation
‘HKAS accreditation’ - NOT an endorsement of a certification scheme
‘HKAS accreditation’ - an attestation that a certification body has demonstrated its competence in providing specific certification service 17

18. Certification scheme acceptance criteria: Credibility in the industry
Participation of relevant interested parties in scheme development process
Clear certification criteria and evaluation methods
Inclusion of applicable regulatory requirements and code of practices 18

19. Background
Population aged 65 or above projected to rise from 16.6% of the total population in 2016 to 31.1% in 2036*
Demand for residential care service for elderly
Public awareness and concern about the service quality of Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) [RCHE]
*From “Hong Kong Population Projection ” published by the Census and Statistics Department (CSD) in September 2017. 19

20. Development
A task force under the “Accreditation Advisory Board (AAB) Working Party on Accreditation of Certification Bodies” established to formulate accreditation requirements
Members include representatives of government departments, academic institutions, service providers and other stakeholders
Train assessors and brief certification bodies and other stakeholders on accreditation requirements. 20

21. Launched in June 2013.
First accreditation granted to Hong Kong Association of Gerontology – Accreditation Division in June 2014. 21

22. Benefits of HKAS Accredited Certification22

23. Benefits of HKAS Accredited Certification
For the elderly and their relatives
Help identify quality residential care home (for elderly) service
For service providers
Assure their service quality through certification by a competent certification body 23

24. Thank you! 24