PAB-MSAD Annual Conformity Assessment Bodies Forum | Department of Trade and Industry Philippines

The Philippine Accreditation Bureau-Management System Accreditation Division (PAB-MSAD) successfully conducted its annual Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) Forum on 20 March 2025. The event, held at Citadines Roces Hotel in Quezon City, served as a platform for insightful discussions, sharing of best practices, and exploring collaborative opportunities among CABs, aligning with evolving standards and accreditation processes.

The forum commenced with preliminaries, including opening remarks by PAB Assistant Director Ernani M. Dionisio. He presented the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), a comprehensive framework designed to enhance the competitiveness of Philippine products and services in the global market. Assistant Director Dionisio emphasized that the NQI is built upon three interconnected pillars which are: the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (DTI-PAB), the Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS), and the National Metrology Laboratory (DOST-NML), each playing a crucial role in ensuring quality and meeting international standards. He also encouraged the participants to engage in discussions, share expertise, and explore new ideas and best practices to advance professional roles and achieve greater milestones, “This kind of forum is an area of networking, collaboration, sharing information, and learning,” said Assistant Director Dionisio. He also expressed his gratitude for the participants’ time, contributions, and dedication to excellence that drive the PAB’s continued success and development, and looking forward to a productive and engaging forum, confident that the PAB and the CABs can accomplish even more through collaboration and commitment to the field of accreditation.

Engr. Mary Joan D. De Pablo kicked off the proceedings by highlighting the 2024-2025 PAB-MSAD accomplishments, providing the CABs with a comprehensive overview of the division’s achievements. Following this, Engr. Dennis F. Belale and Assistant Director Ernani M. Dionisio provided updates on the PAB-MSAD Online Accreditation System (OASys), a crucial digital platform streamlining the accreditation process. Engr. Ma. Juanita Carpio, MSAD’s division chief, then provided attendees with valuable insights on the updates on PAB’s accreditation programs and standards, as well as the latest developments from the IAF Task Force Committee.

Accreditation Officer Jennilyn O. Macabale introduced to the CABs the Educational Organizations Management System (EOMS), a new accreditation scheme of PAB aimed to elevate the standards of educational institutions, ensuring they provide a top-notch learning experience for students. Rounding out the informative morning session, Accreditation Officer Markim Ivee O. Tortoles presented updates on the MSAD procedures, guidance documents, and forms, ensuring attendees are well-equipped with the latest tools and resources to navigate the accreditation landscape seamlessly.

The afternoon session featured a group photo opportunity. Then, it began with an insightful presentation from esteemed representatives of the Bureau of the Philippine Standards (BPS). Engr. Ma. Teresita Del Rosario, Chief of the Standards Development Division (BPS-SDD) provided updates on ISO conformity standards, elucidating the various ISO deliverables. Engr. Del Rosario’s presentation shed light on the different types of ISO publications, including ISO Standards, ISO/TS Technical Specifications, ISO/TR Technical Reports, ISO/PAS Publicly Available Specifications, IWA International Workshop Agreements, and ISO Guides. Each of these publications serves a distinct purpose, ensuring that organizations worldwide can access authoritative guidance and best practices tailored to their specific needs.

Complementing Engr. Del Rosario’s presentation, Engr. Myra Magabilin, also from BPS, delved into the latest developments in management system standards. Her insightful discourse covered published management standards, ongoing revisions, and new projects in the pipeline. This information is invaluable for organizations seeking to stay abreast of the changes in the management system standards, enabling them to make informed decisions and implement best practices that drive professional excellence.

The forum concluded with an insightful statement also delivered remotely by IAF Chair Emanuele Riva on the transition to Global Accreditation and IAF’s statement on Ethical and Professional Responsibility in Accreditation, emphasizing objective accountability, adopting a unified code of ethics, and implementing the role of the accountable manager.

Throughout the forum resource persons engaging delivery and comprehensive insights captivated the audience to raise questions which indicate that the participants gained a deeper understanding of the global accreditation landscape. A certificate of appreciation was also presented to the distinguished resource persons as an expression of gratitude for their invaluable contribution

Another MSAD personnel, Accreditation Officer Serrg G. Martin Carreon shared valuable insights from the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) Working Group on Artificial Intelligence (AI), focusing on the ethics and governance of AI conformity assessment. He emphasized the importance of establishing clear governance structures and mechanisms to mitigate potential risks and unintended consequences associated with the use of AI in conformity assessment activities. Furthermore, by fostering an environment of open dialog and cooperation, the conformity assessment community can collectively address the challenges posed by AI and harness its potential to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making processes.

The PAB-MSAD also welcomed a distinguished resource person, Mr. Rajesh Maheshwari, Chair of the IAF Database Management Committee (DMC), and CEO of the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB-India). Mr. Maheshwari delivered his presentation remotely which focused on the implementation of IAF Mandatory Document (MD) 28 and IAF CertSearch, highlighting their role in empowering governments, regulators, and industries. IAF MD 28 establishes the rules for issuing statements on accredited conformity assessment results, ensuring transparency and integrity in the accreditation process. Furthermore, he delved into the IAF CertSearch database, a centralized platform that provides access to accredited certification information. This tool enables stakeholders to verify the validity and scope of certifications, fostering trust in accredited conformity assessment activities and supporting regulatory compliance.

In her closing message, Engr. Ma. Juanita Carpio expressed gratitude for the active participation and valuable insights shared throughout the forum. She encouraged continued collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to achieving common goals, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts and the power of working together.

This annual forum showcased PAB-MSAD’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement in the field of accreditation.

Release Date: 07 April 2025.

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