1. 12th ARAC Annual Meetings: Advancing Accreditation and Strategic Vision

The 12th Annual Meetings and General Assembly of the Arab Accreditation Cooperation (ARAC) were successfully held on December 18-19, 2024, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, hosted by the Saudi Accreditation Center (SAAC).

The event brought together over 50 participants from Arab Accreditation Bodies and key stakeholders, marking a pivotal moment for regional collaboration in accreditation. Key achievements included the enhancement of ARAC MLA signatories’ recognition scopes, the extension of the ARAC MLA structure, and the acceptance of new stakeholders. A major highlight was the launch of the development process for the new ARAC Strategy 2026-2030, which aims to align accreditation practices with emerging global trends and sustainable development goals.

These milestones reinforce ARAC’s role as a leading accreditation body, fostering confidence in regional and global trade while supporting sustainable economic growth across the Arab region.

 

2. New ARAC Stakeholder member: United Group of Conformity Assessment Bodies (UGCAB)

Significant growth ARAC membership has been achieved with the acceptance of the Saudi Green Building Forum (SGBF), KSA, as an ARAC Stakeholder Member in March 2025.

The participation of interested parties in ARAC fulfills two primary objectives. First, it strengthens trust among stakeholders in the accreditation process. By engaging a broad spectrum of voices—including industry representatives, regulatory authorities, conformity assessment bodies (CABs), and consumers—ARAC reinforces the transparency, credibility, and acceptance of its accreditation framework. This inclusive approach facilitates mutual recognition of ARAC’s systems, a critical factor in advancing quality infrastructure throughout the Arab region.

Second, stakeholder involvement enables these parties to actively share insights and feedback with ARAC. Their contributions help shape policies, technical standards, and conformity assessment practices, ensuring alignment with sector-specific needs and expectations. This collaborative dialogue keeps ARAC adaptive to market trends, regulatory changes, and technological developments. Moreover, it fosters the harmonisation of accreditation practices, reducing trade barriers and promoting compliance with international standards across member states.

 

3. ARAC Capacity Building activities

As part of the ARAC Capacity Building Committee’s program implementation, and in line with efforts to strengthen the skills of personnel from ARAC Accreditation Bodies (ABs) and ARAC Peer Evaluators involved in the accreditation process, the following capacity-building initiatives have been successfully conducted:

3.1. Workshop on the New ILAC P9:1/2024 Policy – 19th & 20th November 2024

This workshop focused on the implementation of the new version of ILAC P9, with the main objectives as the following:

• • Raise awareness of the changes introduced in the latest version of ILAC P9.
  • Provide training to PEs on how to implement and align their processes with the new/revised requirements.
  • Facilitate discussions on the practical implications of the revisions, ensuring uniform application across the region.

3.2. ARAC Regional Transition Workshop for ISO 15189:2022 – 25th & 26th December 2024

This workshop covered the following topics

• • Key Updates: Highlighting the essential changes in the new standard, including clinical utility, patient obligations, and risk management.
  • Transition Considerations: Outlining the steps and considerations necessary for a smooth transition to ISO 15189:2022, with practical guidance for implementation.
  • Align Accreditation Processes: Clarify how PE will evaluate compliance with the new standard, ensuring consistent interpretation and application across the region.
  • Focus on Risk Management: Highlight the increased focus on risk management and patient safety in the new standard and how it impacts laboratory operations.

3.3. ARAC Regional Training Workshop on ISO/IEC 17029 and ISO 14065 – 13th & 14th January 2025

This workshop organised as part of the ARAC Capacity Building Committee’s Work Plan, aimed to achieve the following main objectives:

• Enhance Understanding of Standards
  • To provide a comprehensive understanding of the requirements and principles outlined in ISO/IEC 17029 and ISO 14065.
  • To clarify the scope, applicability, and interrelation of these standards in the context of validation and verification bodies.
• Capacity Building for Accreditation Bodies
  • To strengthen the technical capacity of ARAC ABs in assessing conformity with ISO/IEC 17029 and ISO 14065 requirements.
  • To address specific challenges faced by ABs during the accreditation process for validation and verification activities.
  • To promote consistent interpretation and application of ISO/IEC 17029 and ISO 14065 requirements across ARAC member ABs.

 

4. Activities to Promote the IAF MLA and ILAC MRA:

A study has been developed to assess the impact and benefits of accreditation in the Arab Region, employing a two-pronged approach. The study aims to:

a. Comprehensively evaluate the advantages of accreditation across the Arab region, with a focus on its impact on key areas such as:

• • Trade facilitation,
  • Private sector development,
  • Public health,
  • Environmental sustainability,
  • Social well-being, and
  • The overall benefits to end consumers.

b. Assess the impact of strengthening the accreditation ecosystem, including:

• • The role of ARAC as a regional organisation,
  • The establishment and advancement of national accreditation bodies (ABs),
  • The growth of conformity assessment bodies (CABs), and
  • The support provided to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in the accreditation process.

 

5. ARAC Unveils Comprehensive Approach for Developing New Strategy 2026-2030:

The ARAC strategic development process for the ARAC Strategy 2026-2030 has been launched, marking a significant step toward strengthening the region’s accreditation infrastructure. A dedicated Steering Committee has been established to oversee and guide the strategy’s development, ensuring it aligns with ARAC’s long-term vision and the evolving needs of its members and stakeholders.

The new strategic framework will prioritise enhancing ARAC’s role in promoting quality, fostering collaboration, and supporting the sustainable growth of the Arab accreditation system. To achieve this, the development process will include extensive consultations with members and stakeholders, ensuring the strategy is both forward-thinking and responsive to the dynamic challenges and opportunities within the accreditation landscape.

This comprehensive approach underscores ARAC’s commitment to advancing regional cooperation, driving innovation, and maintaining high standards of accreditation across the Arab world. The ARAC Strategy 2026-2030 is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of accreditation, ensuring it remains robust, inclusive, and adaptable to the changing global environment.

 

6. 6th Edition of the Arab Accreditation Week:

The 6th Edition of the Arab Accreditation Week 2025, AA 2025, will be held in June 2025 under the theme “How Accreditation Empowers Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Arab Region,” the event will highlight the critical role of accreditation in enhancing SME competitiveness, market access, and trust.

The week-long program will feature capacity-building workshops, awareness sessions, and panel discussions with key stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, conformity assessment bodies, and SME representatives. Participants will explore how accredited conformity assessment supports SMEs in meeting regulatory requirements, improving product quality, and expanding into regional and global markets.