ILAC AND IAF
Internationally there are two organisations in the accreditation area:
- International Accreditation Forum (IAF) - the international organisation on accreditation for certification of management systems, products, processes, services, persons and validation ans verification.
- International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) - the international organization for accreditation of laboratories and inspection bodies.
The two organisations work closely together.
FOR ACCREDITATION BODIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Members of the IAF and ILAC are among others accreditation bodies from around the world - including DANAK.
Other members may be representatives from industry or accredited companies.
IAF and ILAC are working to get accreditation widespread and recognised globally. Thus international trade is facilitated, so that products and services can cross borders without having to be certified or be re-tested.
The global system of accreditation is based on a uniform interpretation and use of the international standards. Both standards that form the basis of accreditation of enterprises, and the standards which the accredited companies use when they provide services to their customers.
CO-SIGNATORIES ON IAF AND ILAC-AGREEMENTS
Accreditation bodies, which have introduced and apply the accreditation criteria properly, can become signatories of the IAF and/or ILAC- agreement.
In order for an accreditation body to sign the agreement of mutual recognition, ILAC/IAF will implement a so-called peer-evaluation - in Europe this takes place at the EA-level, which thus includes DANAK.
The evaluation assesses whether standards are implemented and used properly by the accreditation body. The assessment shall be repeated every four years.
Signatories of the agreements undertake to recognise accreditations from other accreditation bodies as equal.
At the same time they undertake to comply with the common guidelines from IAF or ILAC on the interpretation of accreditation standards.
DANAKS AGREEMENTS WITH THE IAF AND ILAC
DANAK has signed agreements with ILAC and IAF on the mutual global recognition of reports and certificates bearing DANAKs accreditation symbol.
The ILAC-agreement concerns calibration, testing, medical examination, proficiency testing, reference materials and inspection.
The IAF-agreement concerns certification of - management systems, products, persons and validation and verification.
DANAK participates annually in the General Assembly of ILAC/IAF and participates in the technical committees that discuss the interpretation of accreditation standards. DANAKs contact person in relation to ILAC and IAF Director Jesper Høy.
LEAFLETS AND WEBSITES
The two global organisations have sent out a number of leaflets and other material concerning accreditation.
ILAC
ILACs website: ILAC
IAF
IAF's website: IAF