DA accredits in two distinct categories; the 'Design of the Business' and the 'Business of Design'. The criteria in each category have been researched and determined as being markers of design business best practice.

Design of the Business
This category identifies criteria that are key indicators of best business practice, including:

• Adherence to standard business policies
• Continual Professional Development Programmes
• Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Various fiscal and statutory requirements

Business of Design
Criteria in this category include:

• Awards and professional memberships
• Creative ability
• Intellectual Property Protection
• Standard Practice Documentation
• Terms & Conditions and Schedules of Services

Initial applications are qualified against the set criteria and if satisfactory, DA Accredited Member status is awarded.

At each annual accreditation review (Stage 6+), members are required to re-confirm their compliance with the set criteria, providing details of any changes that have taken place.

At the same time, they will be required to qualify in greater detail some of the key criteria. Year-on-year, this detail will be referred to as an indicator of performance and a DA Business Health Check report will be presented to the member.

The DA Accreditation Programme is designed to be inclusive. All of the above criteria are qualified against the capacity of the business and the disciplines in which they practice, to ensure that accreditation is achievable as a result of performance, irrespective of size or particular design sector.

DA Accreditation is only available to design businesses or in house design teams that have been in existence for more than 12 months.