When government bodies and regulators make decisions about policies on health, welfare, and protection of the public and the environment, they may make sure that these decisions are data-driven and scientifically backed up. This is similar when they are developing new regulations or requirements and measuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
To make informed decisions, they must have confidence in the data generated by conformity assessment bodies (CABs). Using accredited CABs can help establish and assure this confidence.
When a CAB is accredited by a recognized accreditation body, it means that it has demonstrated that the prescribe levels of technical competence in performing functions like testing, calibration, inspection, or certification are achieved. Their results will be an assurance that they are capable of producing accurate, traceable, reliable, and reproducible data that the government can rely upon in their decision-making activities.
Government and regulators can also take advantage of accreditation bodies’ mutual and multilateral recognition arrangements (MRAs/MLAs). These MRAs/MLAs were established to further enhance or develop trade negotiations and agreements with other economies.
MRAs/MLAs are important and effective tools that enhance the acceptance of data and results from accredited conformity assessment bodies around the world. It facilitates the removal of the need for products to undergo additional testing, inspection, calibration, or certification in each country where they are provided. They promote the acceptance of products across national borders and strengthen the free-trade goal of, “accredited once, accepted everywhere.” With these, the exchange of goods and services becomes seamless across economies which enables the public to enjoy a wide range of safe and reliable products and services.
To learn more about how accreditation is used as a global tool to support public policy, visit https://ilac.org/about-ilac/information-for-regulators/.
Related information can also be found at the Public Sector Assurance website: https://publicsectorassurance.org/. Public Sector Assurance showcases how accredited conformity assessment is used around the world by central government, local government, and regulators to deliver positive benefits.
Release Date: 28 October 2021