What is
Accreditation?
Accreditation is the formal recognition
of the competence of conformity assessment bodies to carry out specific
conformity assessment tasks. Accreditation delivers confidence in certificates
and conformity statements. It underpins the quality of results by ensuring
their traceability, comparability, validity and commutability.
What are Conformity Assessment Bodies?
Conformity
Assessment Bodies include:
- Testing Laboratories (EN ISO/IEC 17025)
- Calibration Laboratories (EN ISO/IEC 17025)
- Medical Laboratories (EN ISO 15189)
- Inspection Bodies (EN ISO/IEC 17020)
- Certification Bodies (EN ISO/IEC 17065, EN ISO/IEC 17024, EN ISO/IEC17021-1)
International
trade relies on certificates and reports issued by competent bodies. Confidence
in certificates and reports is achieved by accreditation. Accreditation is
based upon a series of confidence building steps between National Accreditation Bodies (NAB's) and Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB’s), and the subsequent assurance given by NABs that CABs
continuously maintain and enhance their competence. The latter process is
on-going, as defined in accreditation standards. This assurance is achieved through
on-site assessments and regular surveillance activities.