Background Screening Association Launches European and UK Accreditation Program

New BSOAP Accreditation Program Launched

According to HR Gazette: The Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) has announced the launch of its internationally recognized Background Screening Organization Accreditation Program (BSOAP) for the United Kingdom and Europe. This initiative aims to evaluate organizations against rigorous standards to ensure quality and legal compliance in the background screening sector. Accreditation under the BSOAP program is valid for five years, with oversight managed by the Background Screening Credentialing Council (BSCC).

Founded in 2003 as a non-profit trade association, PBSA's new accreditation program includes critical steps such as a mandatory supervisory audit conducted after three years. The program distinguishes between a General Standard, applicable to screenings conducted outside the United States, and a U.S. Standard, which covers specific laws including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). This move addresses the growing need for consistent international standards as cross-border hiring and remote work become more common.

The Accreditation Process

Oversight of the accreditation process is handled by the specialized BSCC, which operates under a blind review system. The BSOAP program assesses organizations across six critical areas of policy, procedure, and performance. Accreditation is granted only after a comprehensive desktop audit and an in-depth, on-site evaluation by an independent auditing firm. Possible accreditation outcomes include:

• Approval
• Denial
• A structured remediation period

Organizations that receive accreditation are required to address all non-conformities identified during the audits.

PBSA's Executive Director, Melissa Sorenson, stated: 'Expanding our Accreditation Program to the UK and Europe is a significant step toward harmonizing screening standards worldwide.'

The launch of the BSOAP program in Europe and the UK is poised to significantly impact the background screening market by promoting higher standards of quality and legal compliance. This development is likely to increase trust in screening organizations and their services. As business operations become more globalized, the harmonization of standards will help ensure more effective and responsible background screening practices internationally.