The SFEDI approach is an assessment and accreditation against the Standards for Business Support. It includes self–assessment, professional interview and discussion, and observed performance with business clients, to ensure that the national competencies for business advisers are met.  Assessment is carried out by a SFEDI Licensed Centre (EMQC for the East Midlands region) and by a licensed assessor.

EMQC offers the full range of SFEDI Standards assessments, which includes: business support core standards, social enterprise and business mentoring. More standards are under development.

There is a range of individual units contained within the professional practice standards against which the adviser must demonstrate competence. These include, for example:

 - Knowledge and understanding of key areas of business

 - Building relationships

 - Developing networks

 - Improving and monitoring business performance

 - Change management

 - Customer relationship management

 - Reflection and self–evaluation

 - Professional development   

As the licensed centre, EMQC ensures the quality and consistency of assessment, accreditation and certification. This service replaces the previous fragmented methods of assessment.