In response to the principles and aspirations established in the EU Copenhagen Declaration for third party (independent) verification of training providers, EHFA developed a system of quality assurance that has been in use since 2007 and has successfully accredited over 20 training companies. During the accreditation process, each submission was considered on its merits and the EHFA Accreditation Unit (EAU) evaluated content and ensured that the programmes are fit for purpose in producing candidates that can demonstrate the skills and competence required and identified in the EHFA Standards.

The EHFA Standards have been agreed as the minimum requirements for an individual to be called an exercise professional and who are then able to apply for registration with the European Register of Exercise Professionals (EREPS) and the national registers working within its programme. 

EHFA accredited training providers are listed on the EREPS website at www.ereps.eu

More recently the European Commission have developed and are establishing a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework (EQAVET) to promote and monitor continuous improvement of national systems of Vocational Education and Training (VET).

EQAVET, which was adopted by EU Member States in June 2009, and is a reference tool for policy-makers based on a four-stage quality cycle that includes goal setting and planning, implementation, evaluation and review. It respects the autonomy of national governments and is a voluntary system to be used by public authorities and other bodies involved in quality assurance.

Member States are encouraged to use the framework, and develop, by mid-2011, a national approach to improving quality assurance systems that involves all relevant stakeholders. This approach should include the establishment of national reference points for quality assurance, as well as active `participation in the relevant European-level network. More details are available at http://www.eqavet.eu/gns/home.aspx

Because the Commission's emphasis is on national solutions to promote improving standards in VET it is no longer considered appropriate for EHFA to operate a centralised, proscriptive approach to accreditation. Instead it needs to be tailored to help support providers in their own countries to achieve national standards of quality assurance but in addition to also demonstrate compliance with the delivery of EHFA's learning outcomes from its standards.

The EHFA Standards Council is setting and reviewing a specific new policy for the Accreditation of Training Providers based on the following key points:

1. Extensive knowledge of EHFA Standards in terms of learning outcomes.
2. Recognized assessor qualification in the field of Education and Training.
3. Recognized qualified staff.
4. Track of a minimum of 3 years serving as Accreditation Body.
5. Independently from any other commercial control.
6. Extensive knowledge of EU working systems and practices, in particular   in reference to EQF and EQECVET.
7. Understanding of National Quality Assurance processes, and international quality control processes.

EHFA Standards Council has created an Accreditation Governing Group to oversee the delivery of EHFA accreditation, ongoing quality assurance, consistency and transparency in the process.