Is IASSC really an independent third-party certification body?

Yes. IASSC was formed in 2009 because no other association within the Lean Six Sigma industry offered certification without also offering training. IASSC does not provide Lean Six Sigma related training, mentoring, coaching or consulting services. IASSC exclusively offers Certification & Accreditation services based on established, recognized and published criteria. None of which are dependent upon the use or engagement with any specific trainer(s), training provider(s), consultant(s), proprietary training content, products or software or any specific organization or company offering Lean Six Sigma or any other services. Offering training to candidates, particularly on a commercial level, along with self-defined certification criteria creates a potential conflict of interest, see “second-party certification”.

The IASSC Certification exam criteria are dependent only upon the successful completion of an IASSC Certification exam, nothing else. Anyone may sit for an IASSC certification exam, there are no other dependencies or prerequisites. The IASSC Certification Exams are based on the IASSC Body of Knowledge. Successful completion of an IASSC Certification exam results in IASSC Lean Six Sigma Certification.

The IASSC Accreditations are dependent only upon satisfactory alignment to the Accreditation criteria defined for each Accreditation. Any trainer or organization can apply for IASSC Accreditation, if they meet the criteria, they will achieve IASSC Accreditation. More detail about Accreditation and how it relates to Certification can be found here, Important information about IASSC Accreditation, Accredited Entities and Certification.