PAB Strengthens Accreditation Practices through Participation in APAC Lead Evaluators Workshop | Department of Trade and Industry Philippines

*Participants of the APAC Lead Evaluator Workshop in Shanghai, united in their commitment to advancing evaluation practices across the region.*

In a significant step toward strengthening accreditation and conformity assessment in the Philippines, the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) participated in the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) Lead Evaluators Workshop held from February 26-27, 2025 in Shanghai, China. The purpose of the workshop was to create a collaborative environment where participants can review and discuss the current practices of APAC evaluations, including remote evaluations, in accordance with APAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) procedures and relevant International Accreditation Forum (IAF) / International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) requirements.

Lead Evaluators Engr. Estrella R. Pilipiña-Abejero, Division Chief of the Promotion and Documentation Division (PDD), and Engr. Ma. Juanita P. Carpio, Division Chief of the Management System Accreditation Division (MSAD), represented PAB. Their participation underscores PAB’s dedication to continuously improving its assessment processes and aligning its accreditation framework with internationally accepted standards, fostering global recognition of Philippine industries, products, and services.

Engr. Estrella R. Pilipiña-Abejero (right) and Engr. Ma. Juanita P. Carpio (left) from the Philippines, alongside APAC Secretary Graeme E. Drake, at the APAC Lead Evaluators Workshop in Shanghai, China.

The APAC Lead Evaluators Workshop is an intensive program designed to equip accreditation professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct peer evaluations of accreditation bodies. These evaluations play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and reliability of accreditation practices worldwide. Through peer assessments, accreditation bodies ensure that their operations conform to ISO/IEC 17011, the international standard specifying the general requirements for accreditation bodies assessing conformity assessment entities.

Participants engaged in a series of interactive sessions and case studies led by experienced facilitators. With a focus on practical skill-building, the event enabled participants to better understand and address the unique evaluation needs and challenges faced within the APAC region.

The workshop produced valuable insights on several key aspects of peer evaluation and accreditation processes. Participants discussed common challenges encountered before, during, and after a peer evaluation activity, highlighting the need for greater team cohesion and effective communication. The importance of fostering strong peer evaluation team dynamics was emphasized, alongside future capacity-building efforts for accreditation bodies and peer evaluators to enhance overall performance.

Further discussions on the establishment of a platform for peer evaluators to engage in discussions and provide mutual support were also proposed, fostering collaboration within the community. Finally, the digitalization of the evaluation process was addressed, focusing on the increasing role of technology in streamlining data collection, analysis, and reporting, aiming to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of evaluations across the region.

As the national accreditation body of the Philippines, PAB plays a critical role in ensuring that CABs meet internationally recognized standards of quality, competence, and impartiality. By participating in this APAC workshop, PAB reinforces its technical capabilities, thereby strengthening the credibility of the Philippine accreditation processes and facilitating greater acceptance of locally accredited services in the global market.

Release Date: 05 March 2025.

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