Accreditation
Overview
It is through our accreditation scheme, that the ECB establishes effective oversight of enforcement work and creates accountability for those undertaking it.
Organisations need to apply for accreditation annually, and the framework and expectations will evolve over time.
The first year of the accreditation scheme opened for applications in September 2023. The scheme is now open for year two applications.
Requirements
Accredited organisations must commit to a set of requirements, these are set out in the accreditation criteria.
Enforcement firm Accreditation Framework and Criteria 2024-25
Local Authority Accreditation Framework and Criteria 2024-25
In summary these are:
- Standards – compliance with the ECBs professional values and standards for enforcement work, and all applicable laws and regulations.
- Annual levy and periodic data returns – payment of the the annual levy and providing the ECB with periodic data returns.
- Cooperation with the ECB – compliance with requests made by the ECB and allowing the ECB access to carry out monitoring visits.
- Complaints- compliance with the ECB’s complaints-handling process and any suggested remedies.
Who is it for?
Year two of accreditation opened on Wednesday 30th October 2024.
We welcome applications from private enforcement firms, sole traders and in house enforcement teams at Local Authorities that are currently undertaking civil or High Court enforcement work.
An updated list of accredited organisations will be published on our website on Friday 6th December 2024.
This public list will be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect any applications that come in after this time.
Applicant information
Accreditation is an opportunity for organisations carrying out enforcement activity to make an active, public commitment to high standards and to accountability.
It also enables creditors who provide work to enforcement firms the chance to drive good practice by ensuring that they only contract with ECB accredited organisations.
A large number of creditors have already publicly stated that they will only work with ECB accredited organisations.
Accredited organisations are liable to pay the ECB levy, which funds our operation.
This is currently set at a percentage of the turnover from fees collected under Taking Control of Goods Act work. It does not include turnover for other business activities.
This is set out below for year two of accreditation (2024-25):
| Firm type | Levy % |
|---|---|
|
Private enforcement firms and sole traders |
0.44% |
|
Local Authority In House team |
0.3% |
The annual levy may increase per year of accreditation. This is subject to consultation and we will be consulting on the levy % for 2025-26 in early 2025.
ECB Enforcement firm accreditation application form
ECB Local Authority accreditation application form
Further information can be found in the FAQs.
ECB accredited logo
ECB accredited organisations are able to use the ‘ECB accredited’ logo on their website and any other materials their organisation may produce, such as letters.
This must be used under a licence from the ECB. A licence agreement explaining the conditions of using this logo will be sent out to accredited firms once their application has been accepted.
There is also a licence fee for this, with the level of fee determined by firms’ turnover.
The levels of fee are set out below:
Tier 1: For firms with a turnover over 4 million per year.
£750
Tier 2: For firms with a turnover between 4 million – 750k per year.
£500
Tier 3: For firms with a turnover between 750k-25k per year.
£250
Tier 4: For firms with a turnover under 25k per year.
£100
Firms who have signed and returned the licence agreement will have this listed under their name on the accredited register which will be published when the application window closes.
This is so creditors and the public can have peace of mind that anyone using the ECB accredited logo is rightly doing so.
Applicant FAQ
I was accredited last year, do I need to re apply?
Yes. Accreditation runs for one year, meaning all accredited firms will need to reapply on an annual basis.
What is different from last year’s accreditation requirements?
The accreditation criteria for the first year of accreditation included text to explain the changes that were anticipated for year two. These anticipated changes are now coming into force. In practice, there are two main changes:
- The accreditation framework now requires enforcement firms to commit to meeting the ECBs new standards for enforcement
- It now requires firms to comply with the ECB’s own complaints handling process.
Is there a fee for my accreditation application?
There is no fee to submit an application for accreditation.
However, to meet the accreditation criteria organisations must agree to pay the ECB levy in a timely fashion, which is currently set as 0.44% of fee turnover for private enforcement firms, and 0.3% of fee turnover for in house teams at Local Authorities.
Why are you accrediting council in house teams and why is the levy reduced?
The ECB believes that individuals should be able to rely on the same standards of fairness and behaviour regardless of whom is enforcing the debt, so we have extended accreditation to in house teams.
It is right that accredited in house teams pay a levy to help pay for the ECB’s oversight costs but in recognition of the fact that we will not handle complaints in relation to in house teams, we have set a lower level of levy.
We are a local authority, why should we apply for accreditation?
Accreditation is a way you can be seen to be improving your services to your residents, and to be accountable to them on enforcement via the ECB.
It gives a public commitment to fairness and high standards in enforcement, bringing reassurance to residents, especially those who are vulnerable.
Does an accredited in-house team need to follow the new standards? And what happens if there is a complaint?
The new standards will apply to accredited in-house teams, as will the ECB’s proportionate oversight framework. But the ECB will not be handling complaints about in-house teams. This will continue to be the responsibility of the statutory ombudsman bodies.
ECB Accreditation of in-house local authority enforcement services
Q&A Briefing September 2024
I am an enforcement agent, do I pay the levy myself?
Individual enforcement agents, unless they are acting as a sole trader, are not liable for the levy. We request payment of the levy from enforcement firms.
When is the deadline for the first round of applications?
Applications can be made at any point throughout the year.
To be included in the first version of the updated accredited register, organisations will need to submit their applications by Wednesday 21st November 2024. This is also the deadline by which firms that are already accredited will need to apply in order to prevent their accreditation from lapsing.
We will commit to making decisions on applications received by this date and will continue to welcome applications throughout the year for any firms who miss this initial window.
When will I hear back if I am accredited?
We aim to respond to all applications within two weeks.
Can I use the ECB accredited logo?
Accredited organisations will be able to use the ‘ECB accredited’ logo on their website and other materials. This will be subject to a fee and licensing conditions. Details of which will be sent to accredited firms upon successful application.
Anything else?
If you have a question that has not been answered on this webpage, or if you would like to speak to a member of the team about the application process, please email accreditation@enforcementconductboard.org and we will get back to you as soon as we can.