The International Spill Accreditation Association (ISAA) was formed specifically to “Improve the standards of oil spill response” It is a non-profit making company with any surplus funds being used to improve the standards of service offered.

ISAA is the world authority for accreditation of spill response organizations (SROs) and is dedicated to the raising of worldwide standards in spill response. As a not-for-profit NGO, ISAA sets international standards for spill response in all areas including inland and marine spills. Accreditation is not only applicable to privately owned spill contractors but can also be used by governments and others for independently checking their own response capabilities.

ISAA accreditation schemes in each participating country or region are controlled by ISAA in partnership with steering groups that include representatives of appropriate government departments and other relevant organizations. ISAA organises training courses and seminars to assist SROs in gaining required levels of competency in ISAA accreditation subjects. In order to gain and maintain accredited status SROs are regularly audited by independent experts. Accreditation may be awarded at one of three levels in spill response disciplines that include marine, shoreline, freshwater, on-land, groundwater, and road/rail tanker spills.

ISAA auditors examine every aspect of each candidate’s operations in accordance with a comprehensive accreditation matrix. The objective is not only to determine appropriate levels for award (or otherwise) of accreditation, but to help accredited SROs, over time, to progress towards higher levels of accreditation. A contractor or government operator is accredited for three years. Application for accreditation can be made in any one or all of the disciplines covered. Besides the three year accreditation it is necessary for a spill or spill exercise to be visited, thus ensuring the actual capability of an operator to respond and perform.

ISAA, using NI accredited or ISAA-approved training organizations, offers specialist spill response training courses corresponding with disciplines in which accreditation can be obtained. This ensures that employees of SROs can reach the operating standards required.

Through ISAA accredited companies have access to the spill response knowledge base. Practical advice is given on how to tackle any particular problem and specialist staff are available to advise, on site if necessary, in the event of an incident.

ISAA operates a complaints procedure. If anyone using an ISAA accredited contractor is not happy with the contractor’s performance they can contact ISAA. If any contractor believes that they have been treated unreasonably by a third party or an unaccredited contractor or sub-contractor is being used, they can contact ISAA who will take the matter up with the appropriate Authority.