In a two-day Assessors and Experts’ Forum, the Department of Trade and Industry’s Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) assembled 97 participants from different government agencies and private industries and organizations with expertise in the field of calibration, chemical, biological, electrical, mechanical, medical, and, inspection.

In the Forum, the understanding of the assessors and experts on the PAB accreditation requirements were enhanced. Their concerns in implementing these requirements during their assessments of Conformity Assessment Bodies that perform testing, calibration and inspection services, were presented and clarified.

DTI-PAB Director James E. Empeño asserts, “The forum was an effective platform for the Bureau to enhance its relations with its partner-assessors. It was also a venue for PAB to further improve its processes and its system of accreditation.

As a full member of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) of International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) for testing and calibration, DTI-PAB commits to continually improve accreditation services in the Philippines to be at par with other signatory accreditation bodies. Continuous membership in the APLAC MRA and ILAC MRA demonstrates that the DTI-PAB accreditation activities is internationally recognized, and can help in strengthening Philippines’ trade with the rest of the world.

As of June 30, 2016, the DTI-PAB have accredited 184 testing and 38 calibration laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025), 6 medical laboratories (ISO 15189) and 5 inspection bodies (ISO 17020).

The Forum was held at the Boso-Boso Highlands Resort & Convention Center in Antipolo City, Rizal last 28-29 July 2016.