Historical Agreement for IAF, ILAC, and IEC

The International Accreditation Forum (IAF), the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have signed an agreement to help reduce the cost, time, and complexity of reassessment of certification bodies and testing laboratories accredited by IAF and ILAC member accreditation bodies (ABs).

The agreement, which is unprecedented in the conformity assessment world, has a direct and positive impact on the certification bodies and testing laboratories accredited by IAF and ILAC member ABs that operate as registered members of the relevant IEC conformity assessment systems.

Under the tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in Shanghai in October, a single reassessment instead of three assessments will be accepted by all three bodies.

The new approach has been tested in a pilot program, and a dedicated website has been created to implement the tripartite MOU.

A common steering committee has been formed to develop cooperation strategies, provide support, and deal with project issues and deliverables.

The MOU is also intended to facilitate a coordinated application of ISO/IEC standards and guidance documents for assessment of certification bodies and testing laboratories, including a common understanding of the technical issues and the harmonization of the respective assessment procedures.

The MOU also provides for joint training and workshops for assessors and, when possible, joint work on the development of harmonized procedures and policies.