The Accreditation process
There are 168 elements in the accreditation criteria, of which 55 are required and 113 supplemental.  To gain accreditation it is necessary to pass all required elements and at least 75% of the supplemental elements.  For example, the sub-category on Warehousing, under the Operational and Technical Requirements of the accreditation criteria, has six required elements and 17 supplemental elements.  To be accredited, a fulfillment company must pass all the required elements and 13 of the 17 supplemental elements.   The table below lists the quantity of required and supplemental elements by sub-category.

NEW: Updating Accreditation Criteria

If you are an Accredited Company and would like to recommendation changes to the Accreditation criteria, please follow these procedures: click here.

Requirements   

Elements – R (required) and S (supplemental)                                                 

The complete MFSA Fulfillment Accreditation Criteria can be obtained at no charge to MFSA members by completing this form. (Membership will be verified).

If your company is a non-member, you may obtain a copy of the complete criteria for only $149 and you may use these criteria for your fulfillment operations right away.  If you decide later to complete the Accreditation application, the non-member application fee will be discounted the cost of the criteria purchase.  Non-members, please contact Dave Core, Director of Education, at  DCore@MFSAnet.org or 1.800.333.6272 for more information and to purchase the criteria.

How Does the Accreditation Process Work?
The initial accreditation is a two-step process – review of submitted documents and physical audit.  A company seeking accreditation must submit documents validating compliance with the required elements in the General Requirements section.  The outcome of this document review determines the company’s readiness for the physical audit.  These documents may be submitted electronically, as copies of original documents, or a combination of the two.  The physical audit is conducted by an approved accreditation auditor at applicant company expense.  The physical audit determines if the company has embedded the processes, procedures, training programs and quality improvement programs in its operating procedures.  Pending a successful outcome of the complete accreditation process, the company receives MFSA Fulfillment Accreditation.   During the second year of its accreditation, the accredited company submits a yearly update form that stipulates that no significant changes have occurred that would cause the company to lose its accreditation.  The accredited company must submit this form on or before the anniversary date of its initial accreditation.  Physical audits are required in alternate years.

Where can I get help in documenting processes?
MFSA has developed a 6-volume CD set of 90-minute recorded webinars presented by fulfillment experts Tom Quinn and Jim Rushing on the following fulfillment processes and procedures:

• Training and Quality Control, Continuous Improvement;
• Other General Criteria Requirements and Receiving and Returns;
• Order Picking, Packing and Shipping;
• Hand Assembly;
• Equipment and Warehouse, Customer Service and Reporting; and
• Waste Management, Safety and Security.

If you purchase the 6-volume set and later decide to apply for accreditation, MFSA will discount your accreditation fee by the amount of the CD purchase ($350 for members, $450 for nonmembers). Click here to order the CD set.

What Support Does My Company Get from MFSA after Being Accredited?

Accreditation Plaque – An MFSA Fulfillment Accredited plaque is awarded to accredited companies at the MFSA Fulfillment Conference usually held in the spring.

MFSA web site listing – The company receives a link on the MFSA Fulfillment Accreditation landing page on the MFSA website.  This allows website visitors to directly access an accredited company.

Accreditation Artwork – Artwork for the accreditation logo and associated text are available to accredited companies.

Headquarters Press Release - A standard press release is prepared for the accredited company.  The press release kit also includes these items (below):

PostScripts Feature – Each newly accredited company is featured in the Accreditation Section of the MFSA monthly newsletter PostScripts.  The accredited company submits the article based on guidelines supplied by MFSA editorial staff.

Program Start-up Package – An accreditation start-up package assists the accredited company to incorporate the accreditation logo and other information into its web site and other sales collateral materials.

Accreditation Program PR, Advertising & Presentations – MFSA is launching a campaign to develop awareness of the MFSA Accreditation Program in the mailing, fulfillment and printing industries.   This campaign will educate end users on the value of partnering with an MFSA Fulfillment Accredited company.

Accreditation Program Pricing
This is the Fulfillment Accreditation fee structure:

                            MFSA Member          Non-member

Initial Accreditation  $2500                   $4500

Yearly Review            $500                    $1000

The auditor’s consulting fee and travel expenses are paid directly by the applicant company to the auditor.  Audits may take from two to three days to review material, conduct the physical audit, complete and submit findings, and communicate with MFSA headquarters.   Each auditor establishes his own fee schedule.

How Do I Get Started?
You can download the criteria at this website.  Click here for an application or contact Dave Core, Director of Education, at  DCore@MFSAnet.org or 1.800.333.6272 for more information.