Aims 

The aim of the JAG accreditation standards is to define a high-quality, safe and appropriate endoscopy service, delivered by a highly-trained, highly-supported and highly-motivated workforce. 

The standards were written in consultation with endoscopy services, and are underpinned by national policy. Endoscopy services are asked to provide evidence to support their application for accreditation and demonstrate compliance with the standards. 

Disclaimer

1. All intellectual property rights in the accreditation standards, methodologies, training materials, online systems, documentation and associated content ("accreditation materials") are owned by or licenced to the RCP Accreditation Unit.
2. Registered services are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to use the accreditation materials solely for internal purposes related to accreditation with the RCP. Withdrawal or removal from the accreditation programme will result in immediate revocation of the licence.
3. Service users may not reproduce, distribute, modify, publish or create derivative works from any accreditation materials without prior written consent from the Accreditation Unit.

The current UK adult JAG standards (2025) 

JAG launched the new and revised UK adult GRS standards for service accreditation on 1 October 2025. The standards are applicable for UK endoscopy services. Services are now able to open a self-assessment against the new standards on the JAG website. Please note that from 1 April 2026, all new assessments requested by services will be against these standards. 

The updated Republic of Ireland JAG standards (2026)

We are pleased to announce that the 2026 updated JAG standards for the Republic of Ireland are available to view. The ROI JAG 2026 standards will go live for assessments and annual reviews on 1 October 2026. This means that from this date, any new self assessments or annual reviews opened will be against the updated standards. 

Structure & changes 

The JAG standards for UK and ROI services are divided into eleven domains, with 80 individual standards. The UK & ROI standards update were undertaken to reduce duplication of standards, and therefore evidence requirements, and has resulted in fewer domains with improved flow: 

1. Leadership and organisation 

2. Quality 

3. Safety 

4. Appropriateness and access 

5. Consent and patient information 

6. Person-centred care 

7. Performance and productivity 

8. Results 

9. Patient environment and equipment 

10. Staffing the endoscopy service 

11. Endoscopist training 

Each standard details what an endoscopy service must do to deliver high quality care. They are aligned to national guidelines and standards where possible. Previously, services had to demonstrate that they meet standards according to a level system; this has now been removed and services must demonstrate that they meet the requirements of every standard. The updated standards now also include PEUGIC (for UK services) and PCCRC guidance (for UK and ROI services). 

The current Republic of Ireland GRS standards 

We successfully launched the current Republic of Ireland GRS standards in May 2022. As part of this update, we integrated the GRS with self-assessments, providing services with the flexibility to assess their compliance with the standards at any time. This means that services are no longer required to complete GRS census every April and October. 

An updated version of the Republic of Ireland standards will go live October 1 2026. Until then, any new self assessments or annual reviews opened will be against these standards.

If you have any queries or questions relating to the JAG standards, please do not hesitate to contact us.