Accreditation

Complaints and appeals

The AAQ, the Swiss accreditation system and the Swiss legal system provide for both complaints and appeals procedures in accordance with Standard 2.7 of the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG). The legal basis for the Swiss complaints and appeals procedure is the Federal Act on Administrative Procedure (VwVG).

Complaints

Complaints about AAQ's work can be submitted at any time and informally to the AAQ Review Commission in accordance with Article 22 paragraph 2 HEdA. The operating procedures of the Review Commission are outlined in the Regulations of the Review commission.

Appeals

The formal appeal procedures differ depending on the accreditation procedure and decision-making authority:

  • Accreditation pursuant to HEdA, HEdA and MedPA as well as HEdA and GesBG

Higher education institutions may appeal against decisions of the Swiss Accreditation Council to the Federal Administrative Court within 30 days of notification of the decision (Art. 65 para. 1 HEdA).

  • Accreditation pursuant to MedPA (postgraduate education) and PsyG (advanced training)

Responsible organisations may lodge an appeal against decisions of the Federal Department of Home Affairs with the Federal Administrative Court within 30 days of the decision being issued.

  • System accreditation pursuant to German legislation (Musterverordnung)

Higher education institutions can lodge an appeal against decisions of the Accreditation Council Foundation (Germany) with the Administrative Court within 30 days.

  • Quality Audits pursuant to Austrian legislation (HS-QSG)

Higher education institutions can submit objections to the AAQ Commission within 30 days of the AAQ Commission's decision. These are assessed by the review commission.