Frequently asked questions about the 2010 Standard

1. What is the HAP Standard?
2. Who can use the 2010 HAP Standard?
3. Why a 2010 edition?
4. What are the main changes from the 2007 edition?
5. How was the 2010 HAP Standard developed?
6. Were other quality and accountability initiatives consulted during the review process?
7. When does application of the 2010 HAP Standard start?
8. My organisation would like to undertake a baseline analysis or apply for HAP certification in 2011. Will the 2007 or the 2010 HAP Standard be used?
9. Is the Guide to the HAP Standard (2008) still relevant to the 2010 edition?

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1. What is the HAP Standard?

HAP Standard helps organisations design, implement, assess, monitor and recognise accountable programmes. It is a practical tool that assists in organisation development and in bringing about positive change. By using the HAP Standard, organisations can improve the accountability of their programmes and deliver high quality services to crisis-affected people.

2. Who can use the 2010 HAP Standard?

The HAP Standard is relevant for use by any local, national or international organisation. This includes both HAP members and non-members, and organisations that deliver direct assistance or work with partners.

While the 2007 Standard in Humanitarian Accountability and Quality Management was developed specifically for humanitarian relief programmes, the 2010 edition can now also apply to other aspects of an organisation’s work, including development and advocacy. This reflects learning from the experience of organisations who applied the 2007 edition to all their programmes.

3. Why a 2010 edition?

For the HAP Standard to maintain its relevance and to drive improvement in humanitarian action, a review of the 2007 edition started at the end of 2008. The goal of the review was to prepare an improved HAP Standard, which incorporates learning from the application of the earlier edition and reflects new good practice on accountability and quality management.

4. What are the main changes from the 2007 edition?

The 2010 edition presents all content of the 2007 edition in a more logical order and using more accessible language. The order of the benchmarks has changed, and minor adjustments have been made to the wording of some benchmarks. A separate section for organisations working with partners has also been included under each benchmark. In addition, the 2010 edition is more explicit on its application to multi-mandate agencies (relief, development and advocacy programmes), on financial accountability and on protection from exploitation and abuse of crisis-affected people by aid workers.

In response to feedback from the review consultations, new content has also been included:

Requirement 1.3 asks organisations that work with partners to make a commitment to working in partnerships that are based on mutual accountability, respect, and continual improvement;
Requirement 2.2 asks organisations to have in place a staff code of conduct;
Requirements 3.1 asks organisations to develop and document processes for sharing information;
Requirement 3.2.6 asks organisations to report back to those who provide input during participatory activities on how their input influenced decisions made by the organisations;
Requirements 4.3 asks organisations to continuously adapt their participatory approaches to reflect changes in the context and the intervention phase.

For more information about the differences between the two editions, download the Summary of changes from the 2007 edition (pdf, 246 Kb).

5. How was the 2010 HAP Standard developed?

The 2010 edition is the result of an extensive review process that involved wide consultation with different stakeholders, including crisis-affected communities, aid workers and donors. Over 1,900 people in 56 countries contributed to the review process and the preparation of the 2010 edition, bringing to the process authentic experiences from different perspectives.

The ISO/IEC Directives Part 2, Rules for the Structure and Drafting of International Standards, guided the drafting process for the 2010 HAP Standard in Accountability and Quality Management. Editors from the Plain English Campaign reviewed several drafts and their comments were included in the final version.

All organisations that were members of HAP in 2010 contributed to the different phases of the review process and the preparation of the 2010 Standard draft that was presented to the Board. The HAP Board, as delegated by the HAP General Assembly, approved the English version of the 2010 edition of the HAP Standard in Accountability and Quality Management on 20 October 2010.

6. Were other quality and accountability initiatives consulted during the review process?

Yes, during the review, the HAP Secretariat sought input from quality and accountability initiatives, including the Sphere Project, People In Aid, and other agencies such as the Australian Council for International Development and the UK Disasters Emergency Committee. This effort is part of HAP’s ongoing work to improve consistency between the HAP Standard and relevant codes and standards.

The HAP Secretariat will prepare working papers on how the HAP Standard relates to other relevant initiatives. These papers will be regularly updated and be made available on the HAP website.

7. When does application of the 2010 HAP Standard start?

Organisations are encouraged to start applying the 2010 edition immediately. However, with the launch of the 2010 edition of the HAP Standard in January 2011, a 48-month transition period commences with regards to HAP capacity building services and certifications.

Practically, this means that:

until the end of January 2012, HAP will offer baseline analyses and certification audits against either the 2007 or 2010 editions of the Standard;
after January 2012, all capacity building services offered by HAP and all certifications issued by HAP (new certifications or re-certifications) will be against the 2010 Standard; and
after January 2015, existing certifications issued under the HAP 2007 Standard will no longer be valid.

8. My organisation would like to undertake a baseline analysis or apply for HAP certification in 2011. Will the 2007 or the 2010 HAP Standard be used?

Until the end of January 2012, organisations can choose to have a HAP-facilitated baseline analysis and to apply for certification against either the 2007 or 2010 editions of the HAP Standard.

Organisations that have already completed a baseline analysis against the 2007 Standard in 2010 are encouraged to consult the HAP Secretariat if they would like to apply for certification with the 2010 Standard before January 2012. The Secretariat will provide advice on how to prepare for a certification audit against the 2010 Standard.

After January 2012, all baseline analyses and all certifications issued by HAP (new certifications or re-certifications) will be against the 2010 Standard. Organisations certified to the 2007 Standard will undergo mid-term certification audits against the 2007 Standard.

9. Is the Guide to the HAP Standard (2008) still relevant to the 2010 edition?

The HAP Secretariat will update all documentation related to the 2010 Standard within six months of its publication. While most of the content of The Guide to the HAP Standard (2008) remains valid, there are several adjustments that need to be made to take into account the content of the 2010 HAP Standard and adjustments in the management of the HAP certification scheme.