Example: The story of SADCAS

Most SADC member states are less economically developed, with small domestic markets that do not justify the establishment of a national accreditation body. Only South Africa (SANAS) and Mauritius have fully functioning and internationally recognised accreditation bodies. The regional accreditation body, The Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS), was registered in Botswana in 2007 under guidance of the regional accreditation cooperation structure (SADCA).

National Accreditation Focal Points (NAFPs) were established and trained in all the other SADC member states by using SADCA structures. The NAFPs act as competent contact points for potential customers in their own country. At the same time, a regional pool of experts was trained. The preconditions of international recognition are partly fulfilled by close cooperation with the international cooperation networks of ILAC and IAF through SADCA as the recognised Regional Cooperation Body. In order to speed up the international recognition process, SADCAS has entered into a ‘twinning’ arrangement with SANAS. This allows SADCAS to offer its clients an internationally recognised accreditation certificate, whilst at the same time gaining the practical experience it requires to satisfy the peer recognition process of ILAC and IAF.