Accreditation
Overview
Through our accreditation scheme, the ECB will establish effective oversight of enforcement work and create accountability for those undertaking it.
The first year of the accreditation scheme opened for applications in September 2023. From October 2023, we will publish and maintain a register of accredited enforcement firms.
Firms will need to apply for accreditation annually, and the framework and expectations will evolve over time.
The first-year accreditation criteria are:
- Comply with the requirements of current Ministry of Justice National Standards
- Providing us with Quarterly Data Returns – we will consult on this later in the year
- Providing information to us on request
- Payment of the levy (which funds our operation) in a timely fashion
Firms that are accredited by the ECB will make an active commitment to:
- Increased accountability
- Seeking to meet higher standards
- Funding an independent oversight body for enforcement
For year one, accreditation will not be a guarantee of the standards of enforcement practice by accredited firms.
This is because for the first year of the scheme, we will not be proactively monitoring or enforcing compliance with the existing standards or handling complaints.
In this first year we will be primarily focused on developing more robust standards and our own wider oversight model, which will include processes for monitoring compliance with standards and handling complaints. Through these processes, we will be able to start delivering the biggest overall public benefit as quickly as possible.
But by signing up for the ECB’s accreditation framework, organisations will commit to increased accountability and moving to higher standards and be subject to potential sanctions for breaches.
The year two accreditation criteria will have a different practical significance.
Who is it for?
We opened for applications on 18 September 2023 and welcome applications from enforcement firms and sole traders undertaking civil or high court enforcement work.
The scheme will be extended to include in house enforcement teams at local authorities in the future. Updates will be available nearer the time.
A full list of accredited organisations was published on our website on the 25th October 2023, you can find it here.
This public list will be reviewed and updated periodically.
Applicant information
Accreditation is an opportunity for organisations carrying out enforcement activity to make an active, public commitment to high standards and to accountability.
Accreditation will also help creditors who provide work to enforcement firms to drive good practice by ensuring that they only contract with ECB accredited organisations who have made this active commitment to oversight and to pursuing high standards.
A number of creditors have already publicly stated that they will only work with ECB accredited organisations and agents.
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.
This is in respect of turnover from fees collected under the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013 and does not include turnover for other business activities.
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.
The accreditation framework
You can read the full accreditation framework and criteria here
Once an organisation is satisfied that they can meet the criteria set out in the framework, they will be eligible to apply for ECB accreditation.
How to apply
Please download the application form for ECB accreditation here
Applications are now open for the accreditation scheme.
To apply, please download the application form above and submit it to accreditation@enforcementconductboard.org
As part of the application form, you will be asked to provide your firm’s turnover for 2022 (if you have not already provided this to the ECB). This relates to turnover from the fees a firm has collected during its enforcement activities under the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013. It does not include turnover for other business activities, if your firm does not solely carry out enforcement under the TCOG Regulations 2013.
Applicant FAQ
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 0.4% of turnover, as set out in our business plan.
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 draft of the accredited register, organisations will need to submit their applications by 18 October 2023.
We will commit to making decisions on applications received by this date and will continue to welcome applications throughout the year.
When will I hear back if I am accredited?
We aim to respond 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 are included at the top of this page.