INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION FORUM INC Global Confidence in Certification

INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION FORUM, INC. “Global Confidence in Certification”

The IAF vision To develop a single, worldwide program of conformity assessment, which reduces risk for business, regulators and the general public by ensuring that accredited certification may be relied upon.

What is the IAF • The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) is a global association of; – Accreditation Bodies – Certification Body Associations – Industry associations – Other stakeholder organisations and scheme owners involved in conformity assessment activities in a variety of fields including management systems, products, services and personnel

The objectives of IAF • To maintain and develop a Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) between its Accreditation Body Members to ensure recognition of accredited certification between signatories. • To act as a global forum to bring together accreditation bodies and stakeholder groups to facilitate global trade. • To develop appropriate harmonization of conformity assessment best practice • To promote accredited conformity assessment by working with, and influencing, key international organisations and industry groups

The IAF MLA • The IAF MLA is a network of accreditation body members of IAF that have been deemed competent through a stringent peer evaluation process. • Signatories to the MLA will recognize as being equally reliable the certificates and/or reports issued by certification/registration bodies accredited by all other members of the MLA. • The IAF MLA provides businesses with assurance that equivalent overseas certification/registration bodies operate to the same standard as those in their own country. • There are three MLA scopes; Quality Management Systems, Environmental Management Systems, and Product Certification.

The IAF MLA • Certificates issued by organizations accredited by IAF signatories in the fields of management systems, products, services, personnel and other similar programmes of conformity assessment are therefore recognized and accepted throughout the world. • This acceptance removes technical barriers to international trade as businesses will not require multiple certifications. • This reduces time to market and well as additional cost to business. • The key to the MLA is the increasing global network of accredited conformity assessment bodies that are recognised as being competent by IAF signatories.

A growing network QMS MLA – 3 Regional Groups and 40 Accreditation Bodies EMS MLA – 2 Regional Groups and 37 Accreditation Bodies Product Certification MLA – 2 Regional Groups and 30 Accreditation Bodies Date: April 2009

Regional Groups EA – European Cooperation for Accreditation (www. european-accreditation. org) IAAC – Inter American Accreditation Cooperation (www. iaac. org) PAC – Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (www. apec-pac. org) Date: April 2009

The international picture • Since its formation in 1993, IAF membership has increased, as has its influence with international organisations and trade bodies. • This is due to the growing complexity of international trade and the growth in number of third party conformity assessment bodies. • As a result, an increasing number of national economies have established accreditation bodies to maintain competence levels.

The international picture • By December 2008, at least 982, 832 accredited ISO 9001 certificates had been issued in 176 countries. 188, 815 ISO 14001 certificates had been issued in 148 countries. (Source: ISO 2008)

Types of IAF members Membership of the IAF is separated into a number of categories: Accreditation Body Membership Open to Bodies conducting and administering programmes by which they accredit bodies for certification/registration of quality systems, products, services, personnel, environmental management systems of similar programmes of conformity assessment. Association Membership Open to other organizations involved in the use or implementation of certification/registration systems. Special Recognition Organisations - Regional Accreditation Groups Open to regional groupings of Accreditation Bodies whose aims include the maintenance of Regional Multilateral Recognition Agreements recognising the equivalence of their members' accreditations. Partner Members and Special Recognition Organisations - Observer Members IAF has extended recognition to a number of organisations with which it has a liaison relationship or which have been invited to be Observers

The IAF Structure

The IAF Structure • The General Assembly, consisting of IAF Members, represent the highest decision-making body. • The Board of Directors is responsible for developing broad policy directions for IAF and for ensuring that the work of IAF is carried out in accordance with policies approved by members. • The Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day work of IAF on the basis of decisions made by Members and directions by the Board of Directors. • The operations of all IAF Committees and Subordinate Groups are subject to the IAF General Procedures

The benefits of IAF • The development of the MLA underpins cross border trade through the acceptance of certifications. “Certified once, accepted everywhere”. • A support structure to lead the co-ordination of a consistent approach and the harmonisation of best practice. • The provision of a platform to exchange information and enable knowledge transfer. • Provision of technical assistance and development services to support developing countries to establish conformity assessment infrastructure. • Support to developing and emerging economies. • Links with ILAC, international standardization bodies and trade organisations.

The benefits of accredited certification For Government: For business: For Society: • Flexible alternative to Legislation • • Facilitator of trade • An efficient enforcement / monitoring tool Greater acceptance of • products and services opening up market access • Avoid costs associated with multiple certifications • Gain access to the growing number of tenders which specify accredited certification • Public confidence in goods and services, despite complex global marketplace Minimises product failures or recalls

How to find an IAF MLA Signatory • A ‘live’ and complete list of signatories can be found under ‘IAF Members’ on the IAF website www. iaf. nu

The IAF MLA Mark • The IAF MLA mark can be used by accreditation bodies that are signatories to the MLA. • MLA signatories can license the MLA mark and use in conjunction with their own accreditation body logo, for E example, SA M PL Accreditation Body Logo QMS NO 01

The IAF MLA Mark E • Businesses seeking certification will be able to see at a glance if the certification body issuing the certificate is accredited by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the IAF MLA. The certification body must include an indication as to which activity the accreditation is related. SA M PL Accreditation Body Logo QMS NO 01 • As a result, businesses will benefit from having increased confidence, signified by the presence of the IAF MLA Mark, that requirements have actually been met.

Contact IAF Secretariat Mr John Owen PO Box 819, Cherrybrook, NSW 2126. AUSTRALIA Secretary 1@iaf. nu +612 9481 7343 www. iaf. nu

INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION FORUM, INC. www. iaf. nu