Apply to become an SSI Assessment Body

The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for new independent Assessment Bodies (ABs) to conduct assessments against the SSI ESG Standard and the SSI Supply Chain Traceability Standard.

We are proud to have worked with our current approved Assessment Bodies, but as the SSI continues to grow, expanding the network of approved Assessment Bodies is essential to ensuring a credible, independent and robust assurance system that supports responsible sourcing and transparency across global solar supply chains.

If you would like to apply to become an SSI Assessment Body, please complete the information in the application form below before Monday 13 April EOD CET. Please note that all data needs to be inputted into the table at once and then submitted – drafts cannot be saved.

Please do not click ‘refresh’ after the application form is submitted. Depending on the size of the attachments you’ve provided, the form may take a few minutes to be submitted.

The SSI accepts applications from Assessment Bodies that meet one of the following conditions:

Accredited Assessment Bodies

Applicants must:

• Be a legally registered entity; and
• Hold current accreditation to ISO/IEC 17065 or ISO/IEC 17021 with a relevant scope, issued by an accreditation body that is a member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

Exceptional Cases – Non‑Accredited Assessment Bodies

In justified cases, the SSI may consider applications from organisations that are not yet accredited but can demonstrate conformance with ISO/IEC 17065 or ISO/IEC 17021.

Such applicants must provide documented evidence of:

• A formal impartiality mechanism (e.g. an impartiality committee or governance structure)
• Annual internal audits verifying fulfilment of applicable requirements
• Documented procedures for preventing, disclosing and addressing conflicts of interest
• A commitment to integrate the SSI assurance programme into their management system

The SSI reserves the right to verify these requirements, including through an oversight verification assessment. [solarstewa…iative.org]

Assessment Bodies may apply for approval to conduct assessments against:

• The SSI ESG Standard
• The SSI Supply Chain Traceability Standard

Approvals may be granted for a specific geographical scope, standard, or topic area, depending on the applicant’s demonstrated competence and capacity.

Approved Assessment Bodies are recognised for an initial period of three years, subject to ongoing oversight, monitoring and quality assurance by the SSI Secretariat.

SSI maintains oversight mechanisms to ensure continued compliance with SSI requirements and evolving best practice, including assessor approval, training requirements and periodic reviews.