An awarding body is an entity with the authority to award specific market qualifications included in the IQS, i.e. to issue documents (e.g. certificates) formally confirming that a person has attained the qualification. Issuing a certificate culminates the process of assessing the knowledge, skills and social competences of a person seeking to attain a given qualification. The awarding body is also responsible for organising the awarding process. This process is called “validation” in the terminology of the Integrated Qualification System.

Market qualification can be included in the Integrated Qualification System at the request of entities conducting organised activities in the economy, labour market, education or training. This could be, for example, a commercial business, an organisation bringing together entrepreneurs from a given industry, an association of producers, or an association of training firms.