Accreditation programs are extensively used to oversee and enhance safety and quality in healthcare. Governments, healthcare organisations, and accreditation agencies have invested substantial resources in these programs. However, the evidence regarding their effectiveness is currently limited and varies in some areas. The absence of more robust evidence on the specific aspects of accreditation programs that work, the contexts in which they are effective, and the underlying reason for their effectiveness poses a challenge for policymakers. Consequently, policymakers must rely on expert opinions, small-scale program evaluations, and careful comparative assessments of the literature when reviewing, revising, or implementing accreditation programs.