Who Seeks Accreditation?

Government bodies and regulators are constantly called upon to make decisions related to:

• Protecting the health and welfare of consumers and the public.
• Protecting the environment.
• Developing new regulations and requirements.
• Measuring compliance with regulatory and legal requirements.
• Allocating resources, both technical and financial.

In order to make informed decisions, government bodies and regulators must have confidence in the data generated by conformity assessment bodies [laboratories, certification bodies (management systems/product/personnel) and inspection bodies]. Using accredited conformity assessment bodies and calibration service providers can help to establish and assure this confidence. Accreditation applies to conformity assessment service providers.

• Testing laboratories e.g. medical, chemical, microbiology, food and associated products, engineering, textiles etc.
• Certification bodies e.g. management systems (quality/environment/occupational health and safety/food management system etc.), product and personnel.
• Inspection bodies e.g. import/export, pressure equipment, etc.
• Proficiency Testing service providers.
• Reference Materials Producers.

Accreditation also applies to Calibration laboratories e.g. mass, volume, dimension, temperature, pressure, electrical, etc.