- Welcome Guest
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Posted on behalf of Stakeholder Member, the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI)
Dear colleagues and valued stakeholders,
We are delighted to extend an invitation to you for our upcoming dissemination event:
“CERTAIN FORS: Innovation in forensic science, setting the standards for the future”
September 23rd – 24th 2024
Frankfurt, Germany
We believe that your presence at this event will greatly contribute to the exchange of knowledge and ideas in the field of forensic science. Your expertise and insights will be invaluable in shaping the discussions and outcomes of the event.
We look forward to welcoming you at the event and to the opportunity to engage with you on this important topic.
The event will commence on September 23rd with a leisurely stroll through the Old Town, followed by dinner. The walk is scheduled to begin at 5 PM, so please ensure to check in at the hotel by 3 PM on September 23rd.
On the following day, after breakfast and check-out, a shuttle service will transport us from the hotel to the event venue. The event will conclude around 5 PM on September 24th. Hotel rooms are booked and prepaid from 23rd to 24th of September. If you need an additional night due to flight/train schedules, you may specify in the registration process.
You can register here
To stay updated on this event and for public transport instructions in Frankfurt, please visit our website
If you have any remaining questions, please do not hesitate to contact us in organizational matters (secretariat@enfsi.eu) or Raimonds Apinis (raimonds.apinis@ekei.ee ) for thematic questions.
We welcome Dirección Técnica de Acreditación del Instituto Boliviano de Metrologia (DTA-IBMETRO), Bolivia, as a Full Member of ILAC.
DTA-IBMETRO joined ILAC as an Associate member on 7 June 2024. As DTA-IBMETRO is a signatory to the IAAC MLA for the accreditation of calibration and testing laboratories using ISO/IEC 17025 and inspection bodies using ISO/IEC 17020, DTA-IBMETRO has also been granted signatory status to the ILAC MRA and therefore, Full membership of ILAC.
We welcome DTA-IBMETRO as a Full Member and look forward to working with our DTA-IBMETRO colleagues.
The full list of signatories to the ILAC MRA is available here.
Posted on behalf of Eurachem
PRODUCTION OF QUALITATIVE REFERENCE MATERIALS
19 September, 2024
The number of reference materials (RMs), including certified reference materials (CRMs) characterized for qualitative properties, has steadily increased in recent years. In response, the Technical Committee for Reference Materials of the International Organization for Standardization, ISO/TC 334m developed USI 33496 to provide guidance to reference material producers (RMPs) on producing qualitative RMs. ISO 33406 builds on the general requirements in ISO 17034:2016 for RMP competence, and offers specific guidance on value assignment, assessment of homogeneity and stability, statement of metrological traceability, and measurement uncertainty evaluation for RMs with qualitative property values.
The workshop aims to:
The workshop is free to attend, subject to registration. Registration is online only.
View and download the Draft Program here:
Pre-register here:
Visit the event website here:
The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) have formalized their longstanding collaboration, recently signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
ILAC is the specialized body administering a global multilateral Mutual Recognition Arrangement among accreditation bodies responsible for accreditation of conformity assessment bodies, including testing laboratories.
The IFHA is the global leader for the international sport of thoroughbred racing. It seeks to promote all facets of the worldwide sport of thoroughbred racing; protect the welfare of the equine and human athletes; and protect and grow its global social and economic significance for current and future generations.
For more than 30 years, the use of ILAC G-7 document Accreditation requirements and Operating Criteria for Horseracing Laboratories (which can be viewed and downloaded here) has helped achieve greater consistency across horse racing laboratories, particularly in the area of anti-doping efforts.
Both organisations look forward to continuing their collaboration for the ongoing maintenance of ILAC-G7 as an independent, third-party guidance document for horse racing laboratories.
It is further envisaged that under the MoU the collaboration be extended to:
You can view and download the MoU here
Further information on the IFHA and its activities is available here
09 June 2024 marked World Accreditation Day (WAD), an initiative established by IAF and ILAC to raise awareness about accreditation. Each year, WAD brings the global conformity assessment community together with events, webinars and workshops.
With the theme of ‘Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future’, WAD 2024 underscored the important role of accreditation in navigating the complexities of an evolving world. As technology advances and global challenges persist, accreditation will continue to empower consumers, industries and governments by supporting quality, safety and sustainability.
To commemorate the day, IAF and ILAC held a webinar with speeches from IAF Chair Emanuele Riva, ILAC Chair Etty Feller, ISO/CASCO Chair Caroline Outa, and WADA representatives Olivier Rabin (Senior Director, Science and Medicine), Victoria Ivanova (Senior Manager, International Partnerships) and Osquel Barroso (Senior Associate Director, Laboratories Science and Medicine). The speakers provided valuable insights into the benefits of accredited conformity assessment and standards across various sectors. They highlighted how accreditation enhances trust, facilitates international trade, and supports the Sustainable Development Goals. View a recording of the webinar here.
IAF and ILAC members held additional celebrations in their own economies or virtually, and published materials to raise awareness of accreditation. Join us in exploring their activities by downloading the PDF with all the celebrations below.
We eagerly anticipate celebrating with our members and stakeholders again in 2025!
IAF and ILAC are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2024 Joint IAF-ILAC Annual Meetings. Scheduled to take place from 01-10 October in Berlin, Germany, the annual meetings will gather IAF and ILAC members from around the globe to discuss IAF and ILAC activities, the transition to GLOBAC, and critical issues shaping the conformity assessment community.
The meetings will include committee, working group and task force meetings, as well as the IAF and ILAC General Assembly meetings and an IAF Board meeting. Register via the official meetings website https://ilaciafmeetings.org/.
Registrations are now being accepted:
Members must register to attend these meetings via the online registration form that has been established on the official meeting website. Members are reminded to register as soon as possible, and complete payment no later than Friday, 16 August 2024 at 17:00 (GMT +2 / CEST) to take advantage of the early bird discount price.
Funds must be received by IAF-ILAC in full on or before the early bird deadline in order to qualify for this rate. Delegates who register before the early-bird rate but do not submit payment in full before 17:00 (GMT +2 / CEST) on 16 August will have their registration fees automatically adjusted to the regular rate without notice. No exceptions will be granted.
Please note that all registration fees are payable in USD and that fees may be paid either by credit card or wire transfer. Instructions for payment are available on the meeting website. Credit cards accepted include Visa, MasterCard and Amex. Payment must be made by 20 September 2024. Any registrations after this date may only be made via credit card.
Please note: Visa processing times vary from country to country and wait times can be lengthy. We strongly recommend you apply for a visa as soon as possible to avoid delays. Details on how to apply for a German visa can be found on the meeting website.
Join us in Berlin as we shape the future of IAF, ILAC and accreditation together!
Posted on behalf of UNIDO
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is thrilled to announce the release of its new publication titled “Tackling Climate Change: Fostering trust in climate action through quality and standards”.
Climate change is the biggest challenge of our times. From shifting weather patterns that threaten human health to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, the impacts of climate change are global in scope and unprecedented in scale. Quality infrastructure (QI) is key to climate action, as it contributes to building a greener and more equitable future for generations to come.
The publication explores how QI can support and promote climate action initiatives. It delves into the reasons climate change and associated adaptation and mitigation initiatives have become a strategic imperative, and explains what is meant by a quality infrastructure system (QIS) and how trade facilitation can be used to support global initiatives such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also examines each of the key components of a QIS, how these can contribute to climate action initiatives, and how developing countries in particular can transition towards a more sustainable QIS.
The publication benefitted greatly from contributions by members of the International Network on Quality Infrastructure (INetQI), particularly the International Organization for Standards (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
Read the full publication here
For more information, contact Dorina Nati (d.nati@unido.org)
National Accreditation Body of Republica de Cuba (ONARC)’s Full membership with ILAC was terminated on 15 June 2024 by decision of the Executive Committee in accordance with “ILAC-R2A:11/2019 ILAC Rules: Articles of Association Article 6 paragraph 3.”
IAF and ILAC are seeking tenders for the rebranding of IAF and ILAC as the Global Accreditation Cooperation (GLOBAC), the new international organization for accreditation being formed by IAF and ILAC.
The rebranding project includes the development of a new brand strategy and brand architecture that align with IAF and ILAC’s shared objectives. Interested parties are requested to review the tender document, which outlines the project scope, milestones and proposal requirements. View the document here.
Tenders must be submitted to marketing@iaf.nu and secretariat@ilac.org by midnight UTC, 09 July 2024.
IAF and ILAC have released the final podcast in our Accreditation Matters sub-series on the role of accreditation in the food industry. This episode highlights the importance of accreditation for intergovernmental organizations (IGOs).
The episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Amazon Music, or for viewing on YouTube.
In this episode, Colin Christmas (IAF Working Group Food Co-Convener, IQNET representative) leads a discussion with Ali Badarneh (Division Chief, UNIDO), Joseph Wozniak (Head of Trade for Sustainable Development, International Trade Centre), Margarita Corrales (Food Safety Officer, Pan American Health Organization) and Steve Wearne (Chair, Codex Alimentarius Commission).
Guests discuss the importance of accreditation for industrial development and increasing trade opportunities. They highlight the work of their organizations in areas such as strengthening quality infrastructure systems, helping bodies to achieve accreditation, developing standards, and information distribution.
We hope you enjoy listening to this episode! Access the entire sub-series on the Accreditation Matters podcast channels or the IAF/ILAC YouTube channel.