A formal recognition process in which an educational institution, training provider, or certification body is evaluated against established quality standards. Accreditation ensures that courses, programs, or organizations meet industry-specific, governmental, or academic benchmarks for competency, effectiveness, and reliability. It is often required for certification programs, professional licensing, and regulatory compliance, and is granted by recognized agencies such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization), ANSI (American National Standards Institute), or regional educational accrediting bodies.