RECOGNITION

Who recognizes the competence of the accreditor, i.e. of the accreditation body?

To be recognized as competent, NABs have to comply with ISO/IEC 17011 and demonstrate this.

But, there is no single super, over-arching international accreditation organization that assesses and recognizes the competence of NABs.

Instead, the recognition is achieved through processes known as mutual recognition arrangements (MRA) or multilateral recognition arrangement (MLA) operated by two main international associations, the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

ILAC and IAF are global networks of accreditation bodies and organisations involved in conformity assessment activities. Their objectives are:

  • To act as a central ‘hub’ to harmonise conformity assessment best practice and;

  • to provide assistance to developing countries by providing appropriate support to new accreditation activities.

Admission to the status of signatory to the ILAC MRA or the IAF MLA for NABs is through peer review mechanisms implemented by each organization demonstrating compliance with ISO/IEC 17011.