EAZA Accreditation
To maintain and increase the standards and practices of zoological institutions, EAZA has developed its own accreditation and audit system. Only institutions that meet EAZA’s high standards and obligations can join and maintain membership.
Accreditation
The EAZA Accreditation Programme (EAP) offers:
- a framework for assisting zoos and aquariums to achieve their aims,
- an opportunity for independent peer review, and
- the validation of their efforts and achievements.
The aim of the accreditation programme is to be clear and transparent, ensuring confidence in EAZA and its Members from the wider zoo and aquarium community, visitors and external organisations and authorities.
EAZA Accreditation Programme in 3 steps
Whether it is for a new applicant or an existing EAZA Member, the EAP follows three big steps:
- The administrative procedure: The procedure for an initial application for membership or for accreditation, and what paperwork is involved.
- The screening mission: The procedures for a screening mission, the building of a screening team, costs and obligations, and how a recommendation is made.
- The decision on membership: Who makes the final decision on membership, how that decision is made, and categories of membership.
Before entering the EAP, we advise applicants to check that they are meeting or progressing towards the EAZA Standards of Animal Care, Conservation, Education, Research and Ethics.
Find more details about each steps below.
EAP in more details
Step 1: Administrative Procedure
Read about the administrative procedure in the EAZA Membership and Accreditation Manual.
View a sample Accreditation Questionnaire.
Read how ZIMS data can be used to help with preparing accreditation documents (support document provided by Species360)
Step 2: The Screening Mission
Read about the accreditation screening visit procedure in the EAZA Membership and Accreditation Manual
View a quick guide to the screening mission - for institutions
View a quick guide to the screening mission - for screeners
View a sample Screening Team Questionnaire
Read how ZIMS data can be helpful during the screening mission (support document provided by Species360)
Step 3: The Decision-Making Process
Read about how the decision is made in the EAZA Membership and Accreditation Manual
Read about the types of membership in the EAZA Membership and Accreditation Manual
Additional Resources
Read about the application costs and responsibilities in the EAZA Membership and Accreditation Manual
More information and resources
All resources
For a complete overview of EAZA's governing documents, guidelines, strategies, position statements and other documents, please visit the Resources section of this website.