Benefits of AAHRPP accreditation

An accredited Organization demonstrates the overall excellence of its Human Research Protection Program by providing the most comprehensive protections for research participants. These high ethical and professional standards required for accreditation enhance the well-being of research participants but also have significant benefits for the organizations, sponsors, and regulators.

Accredited organizations find that putting safeguards first is both the right and smart thing to do, enhancing their reputation and the quality of their research and giving them a competitive edge with sponsors

• Their ability to meet AAHRPP’s rigorous standards and process demonstrates their excellence.
• Prospective participants are more likely to choose prestigious organizations that make their protection a priority.
• Often in the accreditation process organizations streamline or reorganize their operations becoming more efficient and better at utilizing staff and resources.

Accreditation makes a research organization the best choice for sponsors

• Accreditation signals an efficient operation and quality research.
• Because they keep better records, these organizations are able to avoid delays and confusion.
• Data are reliable and credible.
• Knowing that AAHRPP-accredited organizations exceed federal requirements permits expedited site selection.
• Accredited organizations are able to avoid costly shutdowns, duplicative inspections, and misinterpretation of regulations.

Government recognizes the value of accreditation

• Increasingly agencies are seeking accreditation for their own human research protection programs.
• With limited resources and staff, regulators are more likely to concentrate inspections on organizations that have not earned accreditation.
• New regulations are less likely to be needed if more organizations demonstrate accountability by achieving accreditation.

Research participants receive more comprehensive protection from accredited organizations

• AAHRPP’s stringent accreditation standards exceed federal requirements for safeguarding research participants and are extended to all research studies.
• AAHRPP standards go beyond the federal minimum to require additional protection including policies on conflicts of interest and community education.
• AAHRPP requires accredited organizations to maintain efficient systems for monitoring participant wellbeing.
• The public can be assured that these organizations put the wellbeing of research participants first.