<p>THE RCN'S definition of accreditation is: '...a system of external peer review for determining compliance with an agreed set of standards'. It implies that a group of people have got together to agree a set of standards that relate to the quality of a person, place or product. At least one peer from outside the organisation (usually a nurse) then measures the person, place or product against these standards. In this way, the person, place or product is 'approved', or 'recognised', and receives the RCN Kitemark-style seal of approval, which is an assurance of quality.</p>