The DTI-PAB once again maintained its signatory status to the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC) Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) for the accreditation of Certifying Bodies on Quality Management System (QMS) and Environment Management System (EMS). The PAC MLA signatory members voted to continue DTI-PAB’s MLA signatory status on QMS and EMS during the annual meeting of the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC) and Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) held in Taipei City, Taiwan on June 11-18, 2016. DTI-PAB has been a signatory member since 07 August 2002 for QMS and 12 January 2007 for EMS.
To maintain MLA signatory status to PAC MLA, an accreditation body undergoes peer evaluation by a team of evaluators from fellow MLA signatory accreditation bodies. This evaluation is conducted every four (4) years to ensure fulfillment of the criteria specified in ISO/IEC 17011: Conformity assessment – General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies. DTI-PAB underwent a peer evaluation in February 2016.
The maintenance of MLA signatory status is a continuing testament of the equivalence of PAB’s accreditation with those of other MLA signatory accreditation bodies’. It also demonstrates its commitment to help the Philippine industry players in attaining the same level of efficiency in its management systems to be able to compete in the global market.
The PAC is an association of Accreditation Bodies among member economies of the Asia Pacific Region. Multilateral arrangements between member accreditation bodies of PAC enhances acceptance of certified products and services across regional borders by removing the need for them to undergo additional inspections or certification at each country of entry for as long as the certification is issued by a signatory economy. This helps reduce bureaucracy and the added costs to businesses as well as contributes to operational efficiency. Maintenance of DTIPAB’s MLA signatory status is critical in maximizing the country’s trade opportunities.
To date, DTI-PAB has accredited (based on ISO/IEC 17021) six (6) certification bodies(CBs): AJA Registrars Inc., Bureau Veritas Certification Philippines, Certification International Philippines Inc., SGS Philippines, Inc.-CBE, TUV Rheinland Philippines, Inc., TUV SUD PSB Philippines, Inc. for certification of quality management systems, (ISO 9001), three (3) CBs for environmental management system (ISO14001) : Bureau Veritas Certification Philippines, Certification International Philippines Inc., SGS Philippines, Inc.-CBE, (ISO 14001), one (1) CB, Certification International Philippines Inc., for food safety management system (ISO 22000). PAB has also accredited (based on ISO/IEC 17065), one (1) CB for Product Certification – SGS Gulf Limited – Regional Operating Headquarters (ROHQ).