Accreditation
Overview
The ECB establishes effective oversight of enforcement work through our accreditation scheme, creating accountability for those undertaking it.
The accreditation scheme opens for applications in Autumn each year with existing accredited Firms and Local Authorities needing to reapply annually.
Requirements
Accredited organisations must commit to a set of requirements; these are set out in the accreditation criteria and will evolve over time. The criteria cover:
- Standards – compliance with the ECB’s professional values and standards for enforcement work, and all applicable laws and regulations.
- Annual levy and periodic data returns – payment of 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 compliance reviews and monitoring visits.
- Complaints – compliance with the ECB’s complaints-handling process and any suggested remedies.
Enforcement firm Accreditation Framework and Criteria
Local Authority Accreditation Framework and Criteria
Who can apply?
We welcome applications from private enforcement firms and in house enforcement teams at Local Authorities that are currently undertaking civil or High Court enforcement work. We would also like to hear from sole traders who may be interested in being accredited by us.
An updated list of accredited organisations will be published on our website on Friday 6 November 2026.
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.
Accredited organisations are liable to pay the ECB levy, which funds our operation.
This is set at a percentage of the turnover from fees collected when carrying out work under the Taking Control of Goods Act 2013. It does not include turnover for other business activities.
The levy for the year 2026/27 is:
| Firm type | Levy % |
|---|---|
|
Private enforcement firms and sole traders |
0.64% |
|
Local Authority In House team |
0.38% |
The annual levy is reviewed every financial year and may increase per year of accreditation.
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 can 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 £750k – £4 million per year.
£500
Tier 3: For firms with a turnover between £25k – £750k 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 remain generally the same as last year with a small addition on expectations should a firm or local authority wish to withdraw from accreditation.
Is there a fee for my accreditation application?
There is no fee to apply for accreditation.
To meet the accreditation criteria organisations must agree to pay the ECB levy in a timely fashion, which is currently set as 0.64% of fee turnover for private enforcement firms, and 0.38% of fee turnover for in house teams at Local Authorities. This fee is reviewed before the start of every financial year.
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 percentage for the 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. The ECB would welcome a conversation with any local authority who would like to know more, please get in touch via our contact pages.
Does an accredited in-house team need to follow the Standards? And what happens if there is a complaint?
The 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.
I am an enforcement agent; do I pay the levy myself?
Individual enforcement agents, unless they are acting as a sole trader and wish to apply for accreditation, are not liable for the levy. We request payment of the levy from enforcement firms.
When is the deadline for applications?
The deadline for 2026 is for applications to be received by 2 November with the register to be updated on 6 November. However, applications can be made at any point throughout the year, with the register being updated periodically.
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.