Accreditation: ​Inspiring confidence in LERCs
​

The ALERC Accreditation system identified a set of standards against which LERCs can be assessed. The criteria cover organisation structure, principles of continuous improvement, data custodianship and data services.  It builds confidence in LERCs as bodies which hold biodiversity information in trust for society and that they manage public resources well, as well as ensuring that data providers and users alike have confidence in LERCs individually and collectively.

• ​Provides a set of objective criteria against which LERC operation can be assessed to demonstrate that it is effective and efficient.
• Outlines core levels of products and services that LERCs should provide to assist key users.
• Ensures the LERC is actively working with data holders to improve the availability and quality of data.

• Provides guidance and examples of best practice to assist LERCs in their application.

• Recognises the existing range of business models that LERCs operate under.

The accreditation process provides a number of benefits to the LERC.  In addition to the benefits outlined above, it is a great opportunity to examine and assess the internal workings of the LERC.  One LERC said "going through the accreditation process was a great way to ensure that standards were being met and that processes and procedures were in place which specifically helped the LERC to develop and improve services"

Download the Accreditation System Standard Criteria
Download the Accreditation Guidance Handbook
Download the Summary of Accreditation Changes

Gary Lewis, manager of the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS), receives ERCCIS's accreditation certificate from George Eustice, then Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, now Secretary of State for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs.
​

ALERC members can access a number of example documents and templates used by LERCs that have successfully accredited, which can be found on the Knowledge Hub library Accreditation section.

---

List of Accredited LERCs  

Lincolnshire ERC
March 2011 (part of the pilot). Reaccredited 2016, 2023
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ERC
March 2011 (part of the pilot). Reaccredited 2016
North and East Yorkshire EDC
February 2013. Reaccredited 2018
Thames Valley ERC
March 2013. Reaccredited 2018
Bedfordshire and Luton BRMC
June 2013. Reaccredited 2018
Kent and Medway BRC
August 2014. Reaccredited 2019
Norfolk BIS
August 2015. Reaccredited 2020
​Doncaster LRC
September 2015. Reaccredited 2020​
​ERC for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
 April 2016. Reaccredited 2021
​Hampshire BIC
May 2016. Reaccredited 2021

Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC 
July 2016. Reaccredited 2021
ERIC North East
October 2016.
Devon BRC
November 2016.  Reaccredited 2021
South East Wales BRC
January 2017.  Reaccredited 2022
Sussex BRC
May 2017
Staffordshire Ecological Record
December 2018
Biodiversity Information Service for Powys & Brecon Beacons National Park
June 2020
Cofnod
March 2021
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
February 2023