Accredia’s international role
Accreditation around the world
Accredia participates in international networks of Accreditation Bodies to ensure compliance with standards, uniformity of procedures, and consistency of peer evaluation.
The accreditation of bodies and laboratories is carried out worldwide in accordance with the international standard ISO/IEC 17011, supplemented by the provisions of EC Regulation 765/2008 for Accreditation Bodies in the European Union.
Having passed peer evaluation, Accredia is part of global and European accreditation networks. Participation in international networks ensures that its modus operandi complies with international standards and that its procedures are consistent with those of other bodies. It also facilitates the sharing of best practices and offers opportunities for comparison and continuous improvement.
Accredia is a member of:
EA – European co-operation for Accreditation
The European association of accreditation bodies for certification, inspection, and verification bodies and testing and calibration laboratories.
IAF – International Accreditation Forum
The global association of accreditation bodies for certification bodies.
ILAC – International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation
The global association of accreditation bodies for inspection bodies and testing and calibration laboratories.
EA – IAF – ILAC international agreements
Accreditation bodies obtain the status of signatories to the international Mutual Recognition Agreements after passing a thorough inter pares evaluation process by the EA (peer evaluation).
The international Mutual Recognition Agreements ensure the equivalence of the accreditation mark of the signatory Bodies, facilitating the movement of products and services on global markets.
The international accreditation and conformity assessment system has identified peer evaluation as the most suitable tool for ensuring competence, procedural rigor, and uniformity of modus operandi among Bodies carrying out accreditation activities worldwide.
The accreditation mark of a signatory body, affixed to a test or inspection report, a verification statement, or a certificate of conformity or calibration, acts as a passport on international markets. Thanks to this mark, a product, service, or professional can circulate without the need for further testing, inspection, or verification.
For all accreditation activities, Accredia is a signatory to the following agreements:
- EA MLA – Multilateral Agreements
- IAF MLA – Multilateral Agreements
- ILAC MRA – Mutual Recognition Arrangements
In addition to the main accredited activities (main scopes), the IAF MLA Agreements also cover the sub-scopes of accreditation, which can be verified directly on the IAF website.