ANAB Accreditation for Private Sector Preparedness Voluntary Certification

Under an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ANAB will be the sole source accreditation body for the Private Sector Preparedness Voluntary Certification (PS-Prep) Program.

On June 15, 2010, DHS announced adoption of  three standards for the program: ASIS SPC.1, BS 25999-2, and NFPA 1600.  You can find related information at the PS-Prep site.

ANAB has issued a pre-launch announcment and the draft ANAB Accreditation Rule for  the program was posted for public comment (closed July 17, 2010).

Background

As required by law, DHS has engaged a wide range of public input with regard to selection of the standard(s) for the program. ANAB has formed a Committee of Experts to develop criteria for certification bodies to ensure that the program can be announced within approximately three months after DHS designates the standards. The Committee includes representatives from leading corporations and professional societies and individuals with first-hand experience with voluntary private sector accredited certification.

This program requires establishment of a common set of criteria for private-sector preparedness in disaster management, emergency management, and business continuity. ANAB is developing a program to oversee the certification process, manage accreditation, and accredit qualified third parties to carry out certifications of private sector entities.

Private sector entities will be able to earn ANAB-accredited management systems certification for disaster preparedness, emergency management, and business continuity.

ANAB has had significant business interface serving as the U.S. accrediting body for the voluntary certification programs for quality and environmental management systems based on ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, respectively.

Public List of Companies

A public listing of private sector entities that have been certified as being in compliance with the program (provided the entities consent to such a listing) will be maintained by ANAB.

ANAB Accreditation

PS-Prep will be a base standard program in ANAB's fee schedule.

Please refer to the information about the accreditation process at How to Become an ANAB-Accredited Certification Body.

Application

When it is available, you will be able to view the PS-Prep application in .pdf format to understand specific requirements but the application process must be completed online via ANAB's EQM database; first-time EQM users must register to create an account.

Requirements

Accreditation Requirements for Management Systems CBs

ASIS SPC.1-2009 Organizational Resilience: Security, Preparedness, and Continuity Management Systems - Requirements with Guidance for Use (available from ANSI)

BS 25999-2:2007, Business continuity management. Specification (available from BSI)

NFPA 1600 Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs 2007 Edition (available from ANSI)

NFPA 1600 Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs 2010 Edition (available from ANSI)

For more information, contact ANAB.

You can listen to a free educational webinar on Career Options and the PS-Prep Program sponsored by two non-profit organizations. (Note: Registration is required to access audio).