Contents

1. HKAS Accreditation Service for Certification of Management System of RCHE Service ProvidersMr WONG Wang-wahAssistant Commissioner for Innovation and Technology 1

2. Contents • Introduction of Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) • HKAS Accreditation Service for Certification of Management System of Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) [RCHE] Service Providers • Benefits of HKAS Accredited Certification 2

3. Hong Kong Accreditation Service(HKAS) 3

4. Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) • A section of Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) • Provides accreditation services to conformity assessment bodies (e.g. laboratories, certification bodies, inspection bodies) 4

5. Accreditation Advisory Board (AAB) 18 members HKAS Executive Assessors & Technical Experts (over 600) (Part Time) Working Parties (13) Inspection Bodies Laboratories, Proficiency Testing Providers, Reference Material Producers Certification Bodies, Verification/ Validation Body Task Forces (15) HKAS Structure (Nov 2018) 5

6. HKAS Executive is responsible for administering HKAS, including the three accreditation schemes • Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) • Hong Kong Certification Body Accreditation Scheme (HKCAS) • Hong Kong Inspection Body Accreditation Scheme (HKIAS) 6

7. HKAS Objectives • To upgrade the standard of operation of conformity assessment bodies in Hong Kong • To offer official recognition to competent conformity assessment bodies which meet international standards • To promote the acceptance of conformity assessment results issued by accredited conformity assessment bodies 7

8. Features of HKAS Accreditation • Participation in the accreditation is voluntary. • Independent and impartial assessments based on international standards. • Rigorous assessment and monitoring processes 8

9. International Recognition • HKAS is signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF) Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA). • Endorsed test reports and accredited certificates issued by HKAS accredited organisations are recognised by HKAS’ MRA / MLA signatories (in over 100 economies in the world) 9

10. ILAC MRA IAF MLA 2012 ILAC Inspection 2000 ILAC Testing and Calibration 2004 IAF Quality Management System 2018 IAF Energy Management System 2011 IAF Environmental Management Sys. & Product 2017 IAF Food Safety Management System 2017 IAF FSMS 10

11. HKAS Accreditation Service on Certification of Management System of Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Service Providers’ (RCHE) Service Providers 11

12. Certification VS Accreditation Accreditation Certification 12

13. An RCHE service provider implements management system in its home for improving service quality. • Establish quality policy and objectives • Establish procedure for the necessary processes (including social and nursing care) • Train staff on the management system • Maintain proper records • Monitor the implementation of the management system and improve where necessary 13

14. A certification body grants certification to the RHCE service provider upon confirming the organisation’s conformity with certification requirements. • Review the RCHE’s documentation • Audit the RCHE on-site (e.g. checking operation records, observing nursing care process, inspecting the environment) • Monitor the performance of the RCHE after granting certification through surveillance and recertification audits 14

15. HKAS assesses the competence and performance of the certification body. Accreditation is granted to a certification body which conforms to accreditation requirements. • Evaluate the management system of the certification body • Witness audit activities conducted by the certification body at an RCHE 15

16. Accreditation granted Accreditation Process Application No 1. Reject Application or 2. Ask for further information Scheme Satisfies HKAS Acceptance Criteria? Yes – Accept Application Document Review Preliminary Visit • Monitoring • Reassessment • Surveillance Office and Witness Assessment Follow up visit if necessary Satisfactory Outcome? Remedial Action No Yes Regular Intervals 16

17. HKAS Accreditation • ‘HKAS accreditation’ - NOT an endorsement of a certification scheme • ‘HKAS accreditation’ - an attestation that a certification body has demonstrated its competence in providing specific certification service 17

18. Certification scheme acceptance criteria: • Credibility in the industry • Participation of relevant interested parties in scheme development process • Clear certification criteria and evaluation methods • Inclusion of applicable regulatory requirements and code of practices 18

19. Background • Population aged 65 or above projected to rise from 16.6% of the total population in 2016 to 31.1% in 2036* Demand for residential care service for elderly Public awareness and concern about the service quality of Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) [RCHE] *From “Hong Kong Population Projection 2017-2066” published by the Census and Statistics Department (CSD) in September 2017. 19

20. Development • A task force under the “Accreditation Advisory Board (AAB) Working Party on Accreditation of Certification Bodies” established to formulate accreditation requirements • Members include representatives of government departments, academic institutions, service providers and other stakeholders • Train assessors and brief certification bodies and other stakeholders on accreditation requirements. 20

21. Launched in June 2013. • First accreditation granted to Hong Kong Association of Gerontology – Accreditation Division in June 2014. 21

22. Benefits of HKAS Accredited Certification 22

23. Benefits of HKAS Accredited Certification • For the elderly and their relatives • Help identify quality residential care home (for elderly) service • For service providers • Assure their service quality through certification by a competent certification body 23

24. Thank you! 24