On February 11, 2025, the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB), through its Management System Accreditation Division (MSAD), hosted a virtual Stakeholders Forum on the Educational Organization Management System (EOMS) Accreditation Scheme via Zoom. The forum aimed to facilitate discussions, provide clarifications, and share experiences from educational institutions transitioning from QMS certification to ISO 21001 certification. It also featured insights from Certification Bodies on the development of certification schemes based on ISO/TS 21030 and the requirements of ISO 21001.

The forum commenced with an introduction to PAB, presented by Mr. Jenebert Opinion, Promotion and Documentation Officer of PAB. He emphasized PAB’s role as the national accreditation body and its dedication to maintaining competence and impartiality in accreditation services. Mr. Opinion also provided an overview of PAB’s functions, its services, and its alignment with international standards.

A key segment of the forum focused on the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Memorandum Order (CMO) requirements, presented by Chief Education Program Specialist Dr. Mildred Libot. She provided an important update to the participants on the timeline for the application process of educational institutions for the second cycle. Dr. Libot clarified whether the existing ISO 9001:2015 standard would continue to be implemented or if institutions would be required to adopt the ISO 21001:2018 standard, emphasizing the impact of this transition on accreditation practices.

Engr. Ma. Juanita Carpio, Division Chief of MSAD, presented the timeline for acceptance of applications from CABs seeking accreditation for EOMS certification. She outlined the step-by-step accreditation process, including eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, assessment procedures, and expected timelines, ensuring transparency and preparedness among applicants.

Additionally, the forum featured a discussion of PAB’s policy and process for the new accreditation scheme for EOMS. Engr. Carpio elaborated on the assessment methodologies and compliance monitoring mechanisms to uphold best practices in certifying educational organizations.

To summarize, key clarifications and resolutions were provided before the forum concluded. Notably, the release of new guidelines for the Autonomous and Deregulated status for the upcoming cycle is tentatively rescheduled for September 2025. Furthermore, PAB and CHED have an ongoing agreement to require future CBs to be accredited by PAB as well as to collaborate to develop a suitable format for EOMS certification scopes. A press release will also be issued once the new scheme is implemented, and PAB will begin accepting applications in April 2025.

In closing, PAB reaffirmed its commitment to supporting CABs and educational institutions in meeting the objectives of accreditation – competence, impartiality, and consistency of operations.

For more information on EOMS accreditation scheme and other PAB initiatives, interested parties may visit PAB’s official website www.dti.gov.ph/pab or contact the Management System Accreditation Division at [email protected] or landline number 7791.3212.

Release Date: 20 February 2025.