GSTC Certification Scheme and Certification Body (CS-CB) Framework

The GSTC Certification Scheme and Certification Body (CS-CB) Framework outlines the process for implementing a certification scheme where a GSTC-Recognized Standard owner (RSO) partners with a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body (ACB) to provide certification services against the RSO’s GSTC-Recognized standard.

The CS-CB Framework aims to facilitate accredited certification by leveraging the strengths of both RSOs and ACBs, while ensuring compliance with GSTC requirements set out in the GSTC Accreditation Manual that include international standards like ISO17065.

RSOs who want to have an accredited certification program can enter into a service agreement with one or more ACBs to perform certification activities on their behalf.

In short, GSTC-Recognized Standard Owners can choose to fully outsource the certification process to their standard to be carried out by GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies (one or more), it thus follows international norms of separation between certification and guidance, coaching, and consulting. This gives a market advantage to certified businesses that gain accredited certification, the highest level of assurance that exists in the marketplace.

Benefits of CS-CB Framework

Benefits for Standard Owners

• Gaining GSTC-Accredited status for its certification business/service by partnering with a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body. This approach saves time and cost for achieving accreditation independently.
• Taking advantage of marketing benefits by promoting its certification as the highest level of rigorous, transparent, and impartial program. The accredited certification body has been assessed against international requirements (ISO17065) and the GSTC’s specific requirements for the tourism industry (set out in the GSTC Accreditation Manual).
• Providing non-certification activities such as training, consulting without any conflict of interest, as long as RSOs are not involved in the certification process.
• Eligibility to be part of the GSTC Market Access Program to promote certified hotels/accommodations as Accredited Certification.
• Gaining the right to use the GSTC Certification Scheme Logo: While RSOs do not initially have the right to use the GSTC Logo, they can obtain this right by signing a Certification Scheme License Agreement (CSLA) with GSTC when adhering to the CS-CB Framework. See GSTC Certification Scheme Logo Usage Guideline here.

Benefits for Accredited Certification Bodies

• Gaining businesses who have already certified to the GSTC-Recognized Standard or prefer the standard without its own marketing effort.
• Taking advantage of including its name on the certification certificate to gain marketing benefits and increase visibility in the market.
• Taking advantage of using tourism-experienced auditors through the RSOs network.