ILAC – IAF Partnership

 

ILAC and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) have been co-operating since 2001 to achieve improved alignment of their work programmes as this contributes to the effectiveness and efficiency of both organisations, their mutual members and delivery of value to their stakeholders.

This is an effective and well established partnership that now includes joint meetings and work items at the management as well as the MRA/MLA levels. Examples of joint IAF/ILAC activities include the implementation of a biannual concurrent joint meeting schedule, publication of joint documents for example to cover the peer evaluation process, joint peer evaluations, combined representation and presentation with other key international organisations in the quality infrastructure framework and the publication of joint brochures and documents promoting accreditation and the benefits for trade, regulators and consumers.

World Accreditation Day, held on the 9th of June each year, is a further example of a successful joint initiative between IAF and ILAC.

 

Establishing a single international organisation for accreditation

During the 19th IAF-ILAC Joint General Assembly meetings in October 2019 the following significant resolutions were adopted in relation to the development of the IAF and ILAC partnership:

  JGA Frankfurt Resolution 1 – Recommendation to Establish a Single International Accreditation Organization (1)
The Joint General Assembly endorses the recommendation of the Joint Executive Committee to establish a single international organization for accreditation on the basis of the results of the “Survey In Support of the IAF 2020 – 2025 and ILAC 2021 – 2025 Strategic Plans”
   
  JGA Frankfurt Resolution 2 – Recommendation to Establish a Single International Accreditation Organization (2)
The Joint General Assembly endorses the recommendation of the Joint Executive Committee to create a Steering Committee, reporting to the Joint Executive Committee, to lead the process to establish a single international organization for accreditation. In this regard, a contractor will be engaged and the costs for the project will be shared equally by IAF and ILAC.
 

As a result of these resolutions the joint IAF/ILAC Steering Committee has now prepared a Tender document for the selection of a contractor that will help IAF and ILAC in the process of establishing a single international accreditation organization.

This is a significant phase in the evolution of the world accreditation framework!

This tender is open to all individuals and groups of individuals.  Interested parties having the required attributes to progress this important project are invited to submit a detailed proposal to secretary@iaf.nu and ilac@nata.com.au by 14 August 2020 in accordance with the details provided in the tender document.

 

IAF Contact Details
Phone: +1 613 454 8159
Email: secretary@iaf.nu; iaf@iaf.nu