Accreditation Program
FDSA Accreditation Background
The FDSA audit methodology determines a distributor's compliance with the FDSA's Seven Steps of Quality Distribution. It is the distributor member's responsibility to implement and maintain their quality control standards to meet these criteria. Distributors that meet the audit's criteria will be awarded FDSA Audit Accreditation. Audit Accreditation must be renewed annually.
The development of the accreditation program has been a large portion of the FDSA's work over the last five years:
- 2000-2001 — Establishment of measurement objectives and screening of would-be auditors.
- 2002 — Test of the Canadian Facts in-home measurement model in Ottawa and Peterborough.
- 2003 — Distributor development of the Seven Steps distribution standards, and screening of auditors.
- 2004 — Test of the CCAB audit of the Seven Steps in 17 markets.
- 2007 — Revisions to the Seven Steps to ensure clarity.
View the Seven Steps to Quality Distribution
Auditor Information
- FDSA exclusive auditor — CCAB, Division of BPA Worldwide
- Cost of the auditor — $1,420 per distribution centre (plus travel expenses)
How to Apply for Accreditation
- Must be members in good standing of the FDSA
- Must be distributors (flyer distributors, door-to-door distributors, daily newspapers, community newspapers)
- Contact Mary Markou at mmarkou@retailcouncil.org to arrange for an audit
Use of the Accreditation Logo
It is used with reference to having passed CCAB Audit and achieved Accreditation for specific Distribution Centres only.
Accreditation, upon passing the FDSA-CCAB Audit, is given for a:
- One Year period in Distribution Centres over 100,000 households
- Two year period in Distribution Centres under 100,000 households
If the Distributor has not been re-audited within 90 days after the Accreditation Period expires; the Accreditation Logo must be removed from all promotional material.
First distributors accredited under new FDSA program
We are very proud to announce that several distributors have received accreditation under the FDSA's new program, and many more are scheduled for audits over the upcoming months.