> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/accreditation-bodies/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/accreditation-bodies/getting-started/readme.md).

# Overview

{% hint style="warning" %}

#### <mark style="color:red;">**Important Notice about Participating and Conformance Status**</mark> <a href="#important-notice" id="important-notice"></a>

Please follow these guidelines if you have an active IAF CertSearch account and have a **Non-Conformance status.**&#x20;

* [How to conform to Data Obligations](/accreditation-bodies/data-management/mandatory-document-md-compliance.md)
  {% endhint %}

## Guide to Using IAF CertSearch as an Accreditation Body

This guide outlines the steps for effectively managing your data in IAF CertSearch as an Accreditation Body.

### **Step 1: Activate your Accreditation Body**

-> [View documentation](/accreditation-bodies/getting-started/activation.md)

### **Step 2: Add** the **Standards and Schemes**, and **Technical Sectors**

* [Add Standards and Schemes](/accreditation-bodies/data-management/standards/ab-standards/add-standard-to-library.md)
* [Add Technical Sectors](/accreditation-bodies/data-management/standards/technical-sectors.md)

[Helpful article: Understanding IAF CertSearch Data Structure](/accreditation-bodies/iaf-certsearch-data-structure/templates.md)

### Step 3: Add the Certification Body records

Adding a Certification Body can be done through different methods, view documentation below:

1. [Manual](/accreditation-bodies/data-management/certification-bodies/add-cb.md)
2. [File Upload (Excel and XML) ](/accreditation-bodies/data-management/import-certification-body/file-upload.md)
   * [IAF CertSearch Web Uploader](/accreditation-bodies/data-management/import-certification-body/file-upload.md)
   * [FTP ](/accreditation-bodies/data-management/import-certification-body/ftp-access.md)
3. [API](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/api-developer-guide/api-integration/accreditation-body-apis/certification-body-api)

If in any case, you encountered errors while importing your data, go to the [Error Handling](/accreditation-bodies/error-handling/error-handling.md) documentation.

### Step 4 *(Optional)*: Add CB's Certification data&#x20;

{% hint style="warning" %}
For ABs that are also uploading Certification Data, ensure that you already have the CBs data uploaded to the IAF CertSearch database.
{% endhint %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/RFVuoU9868EqthT52Zok" %}
[Bulk Import Certification](/accreditation-bodies/data-management/certifications/bulk-import-certification.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/07lKlwZxnaSrP74jgyB4" %}
[Import Certification](/accreditation-bodies/data-management/import-certification.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

If you require assistance integrating your data, please reach out to <info@iafcertsearch.org>. We aim to provide helpful, timely support to all our customers.

***

### Continue exploring IAF CertSearch

For further exploration of IAF CertSearch, you can review the following documentation:

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Kickstart your IAF CertSearch journey with our navigation tutorials.</td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/pEp6lfHeGJQtykADchmY">/files/pEp6lfHeGJQtykADchmY</a></td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/3sH4DGaSiFUQ5ugtedaG">/pages/3sH4DGaSiFUQ5ugtedaG</a></td></tr><tr><td>Everything you need to know about IAF CertSearch data.</td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/kf0QszdHW08FyPvSS6z4">/files/kf0QszdHW08FyPvSS6z4</a></td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/a6n6E1fVzjnSVsRQti5M">/pages/a6n6E1fVzjnSVsRQti5M</a></td></tr><tr><td>Learn how to import and update your data in IAF CertSearch.</td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/j8B1ooi4ILjiQkAdGUBC">/files/j8B1ooi4ILjiQkAdGUBC</a></td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/01vDYHjQc23Bqc0OxwAe">/pages/01vDYHjQc23Bqc0OxwAe</a></td></tr><tr><td>Upload your user photo, manage your password, and set up notification settings just how you like it. </td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/vjSgFROVHpsWUal7m2gR">/files/vjSgFROVHpsWUal7m2gR</a></td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/pgivWVsKjWlIeTpr9Kgm">/pages/pgivWVsKjWlIeTpr9Kgm</a></td></tr></tbody></table>