Accreditation has several practical applications of an
increasingly wide range of activities across all sectors of the economy, from food to forensics, construction to environment.
For businesses
Accurate
calibration, measurement and testing, performed in accordance with best
practice, help limit errors and product failure, improve control of production
costs and contribute to an innovative environment.
Accreditation is an independent
demonstration of your technical competence
to customers.
When they obtain certification of their
management system, products or services by an accredited body, companies continually
improve their performance by using a recognised tool for decision-making, risk
management and supplier selection. Thus, they enjoy a competitive advantage in
terms of reputation and credibility, both on the B2B and consumer markets and
also have an extra marketing tool.
Reducing controls
Accredited certification conveys
presumption of conformity with official standards and regulations. This means
that businesses do not need to provide additional evidence, and their
activities are simplified subsequent to reduction or elimination of controls.
Supporting export
The international recognition of
conformity assessment reports covered by accreditation boosts business expansion
on foreign markets without the need to carry out additional verifications.
For regulators
Testing,
examination, verification, inspection, calibration and certification can be
used for better control and regulation.
The services provided by accredited
bodies, either used directly by regulators and governments or as a tool
reference in rules and regulations, demonstrate effectiveness in:
supporting implementation of the European or national legislation,
providing a “stamp of approval” to confirm compliance with standards and widely
accepted requirements
qualifying suppliers of goods and services, especially on the
procurement market
enhancing trade and economic growth, providing governments with reliable
data
reducing bureaucracy by eliminating a number of administrative
obligations
limiting costs and resources, by reducing the need for regulators to
employ their specialized assessment personnel and by avoiding duplication of
audits
simplifying the procurement process by ensuring confidence as a
decision-making tool
For consumers
Increasingly consumers rely on
independent evidence, rather than simply believing in suppliers’
advertisements. Consumers’ confidence on the market is enhanced when they know
that the products and services they choose are regularly evaluated and checked
by an independent and competent third party. Choosing a product based on its
certification mark, consumers can be sure of the quality of what they are
buying.
Protecting, in the public interest
At the other end of the supply chain,
consumers’ interest is protected by national accreditation bodies acting as
“checkers of checkers”.