The scheme is administrated by IHC Authorizing Authorities (AAs) appointed for a country, or a region. An AA is the MNA when it has the wish and the resources to act as AA, or, if the MNA is not the AA, an ISAF delegate organisation based in the country or the region, or ISAF may act as AA itself.

AAs report to the ISAF in accordance with the criteria set out in the IHC Criteria and Responsibility paper (CAR).

Manufacturer wishing to operate IHC apply to be licensed by their AA and prepare a Certification System (CS) to be approved by the AA. The approved Certification System forms the basis of the Certification Control and the Certification.

Classes involved in the Programme are responsible for ensuring their class rules and other equipment controls lend themselves to IHC and also assist in the development of class specific control methods and control assessment training. Any class not wishing to be involved in the Programme has the right to be excluded. Participating ISAF classes are listed on the ISAF website.