This nationally recognised scheme assesses the competence of advisers against the SFEDI standards and accredits their commitment to continuing professional development. The standards and leading practice guidelines help advisers improve the personal and organisational support given to those considering starting up or running a business. 

As the national standards setting body for the business support sector SFEDI is responsible for researching and disseminating what works best for small businesses.

As the result of a rigorous selection and evaluation process of potential accreditation providers, SFEDI licensed EMQC as the sole accreditation body to manage assessment of business advisers to SFEDI national Business Support Standards in the East Midlands region.