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The MRA supports international trade by promoting international confidence and acceptance of accredited testing and inspection reports, proficiency testing program provisions and reference material producers. Technical barriers to trade, such as the retesting of products each time they enter a new economy is reduced. In this way, the free-trade goal of “accredited once, accepted everywhere” becomes a closer reality. Organisations are already using the MRA in a positive way, examples can be viewed from on the Case Studies page.
In regard to the acceptance of results/reports from accredited CABs for the purposes of making products/services available on the EU (European Union) market, ILAC has obtained legal advice on the interpretation of the European Court of Justice Judgement C-142/2020, May 2021 in relation to the provisions included in EU Regulation 765/2008. This interpretation relates to the accreditation of CABs based in the EU by a third country (non-EU) AB rather than the national AB where the CAB is located. The relevant details of this Judgement and the ILAC interpretation statement are provided here.
For Government
The MRA provides governments with a credible and technically robust framework on which to further develop and enhance government to government bilateral and multilateral international trade agreements. The long-term aim is the fully accepted use and recognition, by both public and private industries, of accredited laboratories, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers and reference material producers, including results from accredited facilities in other countries. In this way, the free-trade goal of “accredited once, accepted everywhere” will be realised.
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| How does using an Accredited Laboratory benefit Government and Regulators? | How does accredited inspection benefit government and regulators? | Accreditation: Facilitating world trade |
For Regulators
The MRA acts as an internationally recognised ‘stamp of approval’ to demonstrate compliance against agreed standards and requirements. Consequently, risk is minimised, as decisions will be based on reliable results. Duplication is also minimised as test, calibration, inspection, proficiency testing and reference material data included in submissions for product approvals can be evaluated without re-testing. Many specifiers, such as government agencies, have recognised the importance of credible accreditation schemes that are developed against internationally recognised standards. Accreditation and the ILAC MRA help regulators meet their own legislated responsibilities by providing a globally recognised system to accept services and results from accredited facilities.
For Industry users
The MRA ensures that businesses that depend on test, calibration, inspection, proficiency testing and reference material data have greater confidence in the accuracy of the services and reports they purchase, because they have been generated by facilities assessed as being competent to carry out these specific activities. Users should check the current scope of the facilities accreditation when purchasing such services.
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| The advantages of being an Accredited Laboratory | ISO 15189 Medical Laboratory Accreditation | Why become an accredited inspection body? |
For Consumers
The MRA provides additional confidence to the general public and consumers purchasing testing, calibration or inspection services on their sample, instrument or product. By insisting that the calibration, test or inspection results are from an accredited facility, they can be confident the facility has been assessed by an independent accreditation body, that itself has been recognised as meeting international standards of competence.
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| The ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement | Why use an Accredited Laboratory? | Why use an Accredited Inspection Body? |
