IES is the Singapore signatory to the Washington Accord with effect from June 2006. The Washington Accord is an international agreement which provides a mechanism for mutual recognition of the substantial equivalence of engineering academic programmes in satisfying the academic requirements for the practice of engineering at the professional level. The processes, policies and procedures for granting accreditation to engineering academic programmes by IES is administered by the Engineering Accreditation Board (EAB) which was set up in May 2002 by IES as a body to accredit engineering programmes that are delivered and awarded in Singapore.

The terms of reference of EAB are to:

• implement the accreditation policy of Council;
  
• formulate guidelines and procedures for accreditation;
  
• appoint Evaluation Teams to accredit engineering programs;
  
• receive and review evaluation reports by the Evaluation Teams, and decide on whether accreditation should be granted, as well as the conditions to be imposed, if there is such a need;
  
• receive and respond to complaints and appeals regarding the accreditation process;
  
• represent IES in mutual recognition agreements on academic qualifications and professional membership with other countries; and
  
• report periodically to Council on its work.

 
Objectives of accreditation

• To ensure that accredited programs satisfy the requirements for corporate membership of the Institution of Engineers Singapore in the area of academic qualifications and are benchmarked to meet the standards of other mutual recognition agreements entered into by EAB, including the Washington Accord;
  
• To assist stakeholders as well as potential students and their parents, professional societies, and potential employers, in identifying specific engineering programs that meet the minimum criteria for accreditation; and 
• To provide feedback to the educational institutions for the improvement and development of educational programs in engineering that can better meet the needs of the local industry.