AF Accreditation

At the Accreditation Federation, accreditation operates in the public interest across diverse market sectors. It serves as an official attestation that bodies accredited by us—offering testing, examination, calibration, certification, inspection, and verification services—possess the requisite technical competence and impartiality necessary to assess the conformity of products and services with established standards and regulations.

Accreditation facilitates the free movement of goods and services in markets where demands for quality and safety are increasingly pronounced. It promotes a harmonized, transparent, and sustainable framework that:

Helps entities meet legal requirements efficiently and cost-effectively;
Fosters innovation across sectors;
Minimizes the need for direct regulatory intervention, preserving government resources;
Bolsters the confidence of consumers and businesses in products and services.

The accreditation process we implement provides a cost-effective means of delivering services in the public interest that:

Are consistent, reliable, and of superior quality;
Support and enhance regulatory compliance;
Reduce administrative burdens and bureaucracy.

Regulatory Foundation of Accreditation

Accreditation is defined as a formal endorsement by a national accreditation body—like the Accreditation Federation—that a conformity assessment body meets or exceeds the requirements established by harmonized standards. This may also include additional criteria specified in relevant sectoral schemes, enabling them to conduct specific conformity assessment activities.

Benefits and Value of Accreditation

Accredited bodies that perform conformity assessment services under our banner consistently meet all prescribed standards and regulatory mandates, as well as sector-specific criteria, in terms of:

Technical competence and expertise;
Independence, impartiality, and integrity;
Comprehensive risk management strategies;
Optimal utilization of human and equipment resources;
Systems for ongoing quality improvement in products and services;
Effective mechanisms for handling complaints and appeals.

Our accreditation services, recognized by regulators and integrated into regulations, effectively:

Support the implementation of international, European, or national legislation, providing a "stamp of approval" that indicates compliance with accepted standards and requirements;
Qualify suppliers in the procurement market, enhancing their credibility and market access;
Facilitate international trade and contribute to economic growth;
Increase cost-efficiency by reducing the need for specialized regulatory assessment personnel and preventing audit duplications;
Streamline procurement processes, using competence and impartiality as key decision-making criteria.

Operational Mechanics of Accreditation

Accreditation through the Accreditation Federation confirms adherence to specified standards of:

Competence: by verifying the experience and technical skills of staff in accredited or applicant bodies through evaluations conducted by expert assessors;
Independence: ensuring that bodies which grant certifications or issue test reports demonstrate autonomy in decision-making and remain economically unaffiliated with the organisations they serve;
Impartiality: managing any potential conflicts of interest with clients to prevent any commercial entanglements.

To ensure ongoing compliance, our accredited bodies are periodically reassessed. This process helps them adapt to technical and regulatory evolutions, uphold high standards of professional conduct, and demonstrate practical competence and sound judgment.

Through accreditation, we provide assurance to regulators and stakeholders that standards are applied effectively, enhancing public trust and supporting the interests of businesses and consumers alike.

Standards and Guidelines

Our accreditation processes adhere to the international standard ISO/IEC 17011: "Conformity assessment — Requirements for National Accreditation Bodies accrediting Conformity Assessment Bodies."