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According to the International Labor Organization (ILO) [1], in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) countries, a unit increase in public health expenditure increases long-term Gross National Income growth by about one percentage point. However, according to the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) represent, depending on the UEMOA member states, between 80% and 95% of the companies surveyed [2]. Based on this observation, investing in health, particularly the fight against diseases, could be crucial to support economic development in UEMOA member states. This article highlights the role of accreditation in the fight against two major infectious diseases in the world, particularly in Africa, namely tuberculosis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a mycobacterium, the Koch bacillus, which most commonly affects the lungs but can also affect other organs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) [3], 1.25 million people died from tuberculosis in 2023. An estimated 10.8 million people contracted tuberculosis worldwide in 2023. TB is present in all countries and age groups. However, it is a preventable and treatable disease. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis continues to cause a public health crisis and remains a threat to health security. Ending the tuberculosis epidemic by 2030 is one of the health-related targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
AIDS is an infectious disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV weakens the immune system, making the individual vulnerable to other infections. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection. Research has identified drugs to combat the virus, discovered in 1983. It is important to note the importance of prevention and early diagnosis. According to the WHO [4], HIV remains a major public health problem worldwide, resulting in 40.4 million deaths to date, and continues to be transmitted in every country worldwide. An estimated 39.0 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2022, more than two-thirds of them in Africa. In 2022, 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes and 1.3 million acquired HIV. There is no cure for HIV infection. However, HIV has become a chronic condition that can be managed, with the potential for long and healthy lives. Ending HIV by 2030 is among the health-related targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The West African Accreditation System (SOAC WAAS) is the accreditation body for UEMOA member states [5]. As part of its policy to support the health policies of its member states, SOAC WAAS has developed a specific accreditation scheme for the medical sector. With a rate of 21%, this sector is second to have the largest number of conformity assessment bodies accredited by SOAC WAAS. These are laboratories accredited according to the ISO 15189 standard. It should be noted that SOAC WAAS ISO 15189 accreditation scheme is covered by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) mutual recognition agreements since 2022. Laboratories accredited for HIV and tuberculosis testing represent 74% of the total, with 26% for tuberculosis and 46% for HIV respectively. These results were made possible thanks to the strong involvement of international cooperation. Thus, accreditations in the field of HIV were obtained with the support of United States of America (USA) cooperation, while those in the field of tuberculosis mobilized various partners such as the Global Fund, under the coordination of the Supranational Laboratory for Tuberculosis in Benin (SRL-Cotonou). The intervention of SRL-Cotonou and its network of partners has enabled tuberculosis testing laboratories located outside UEMOA to benefit from SOAC accreditation, particularly in Cameroon and Gabon.
Thus, the UEMOA countries’ accreditation system, supported by SOAC WAAS, participates to meet the expectations of member states in terms of public health. However, the risks of reduced international cooperation in health, partly driven by the vision of the new USA authorities, should encourage all stakeholders to find other ways to maintain the results achieved in the fight against infectious diseases in Africa such as tuberculosis and AIDS. In doing so, economic development in UEMOA member states, primarily driven by SMEs, would not be compromised.
[1]https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/%40ed_dialogue/%40sector/documents/publication/wcms_892131.pdf
[2]https://www.bceao.int/fr/content/presentation-du-dispositif-de-soutien-au-financement-des-pmepmi
[3]https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis
[4]https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids
[5]The member states of UEMOA are Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
For several years, the National Quality Subsystem (grouping of quality infrastructure entities in Colombia) and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (German Metrology Institute – PTB) have been working together. This cooperation is carried out through a series of projects called “Artical”, whose objective is to strengthen the competent and coordinated services of the National Quality Subsystem.
The third version of the project (Artical III) aims to strengthen quality infrastructure services in Colombia, to promote the circular economy. To this end, the project focuses on the identification of the needs for quality services and the improvement and development of new quality infrastructure services for the circular economy sectors, especially the plastics, construction materials, and electrical and electronic equipment sectors.
Several activities were conducted to develop a methodology that would allow a prioritisation of the sectors and subsequently of the products, in order to focus the search for gaps and unmet needs on the points that generate the greatest impact in environmental and economic terms.
First, to define the sectors on which the program should focus, the Colombian National Accreditation Body (ONAC) developed a methodology to prioritise two of the three sectors initially proposed. The following criteria were considered:
As a result of this analysis, it was concluded that the chains with the greatest potential to generate the necessary impacts are construction and demolition waste (CDW) and plastics; therefore, the project focused on the plastics and construction sectors.
The two prioritised sectors were subjected to a second stage of analysis, in which PTB requested the formation of a Core Group made up of members of the National Metrology Institute of Colombia (INM), the Colombian Institute of Technical Standards and Certification (ICONTEC), the National Association of Colombian Businessmen (ANDI), ONAC and PTB.
The objective of this group was to design and organise a first workshop, within the framework of the Artical III project, in which the different stakeholders would discuss circularity issues in the two prioritised sectors. The purpose of the workshop was to identify gaps and opportunities for improving quality infrastructure services to promote circularity in these value chains.
As input for the development of the workshop, ONAC developed a methodology based on criteria whose objective is to diagnose gaps in metrology, standardisation and accreditation, facilitate the integration of quality services in circular production processes and develop strategies aligned with the Colombian regulatory and sectoral context.
For the construction of the methodology, an analysis was made of several methodologies to stimulate quality in value chains, the methodologies analysed are listed below:
However, after carrying out the analysis, it was determined that no methodology was sufficiently adaptable to the Colombian context, therefore, it was necessary to build a new methodology that would allow combining these approaches to adapt to the needs of the circular economy in Colombia. The new methodology is based on the following criteria, which enable the evaluation of the importance and impact of each of the products and their circular value chain.
These criteria were discussed at the workshop, which took place on February 19, 2025 at ONAC’s facilities and had the participation of different stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, representatives of the plastics and construction sectors, among other relevant actors. The participants contributed their ideas and helped to improve the construction of the criteria proposed.
The workshop also provided a space for discussion by sector. In these spaces, the participants most interested in each sector discussed among themselves in order to decide on the products on which the development of new quality infrastructure services should be focused. In this way, the representatives of each sector defined the products, both plastic and construction and the reasons why the viability of some materials is greater compared to others.
Finally, some points in the chain of circularity were identified which the core group considered most relevant to emphasise in the development of the project. These links were discussed by the representatives of each sector and finally subjected to an analysis considering the products previously selected. In this discussion, the quality infrastructure services that could meet the needs of the value chain for each product in the links proposed were identified and listed.
Finally, the exercise was very useful in defining the focus of the Artical III project and allows defining lines of action on the part of the quality infrastructure entities to support the implementation of the circular economy by small and medium-sized enterprises.
Romanas Lacost S.A. is a Costa Rican SME located in Tibás, San José, specialising in the maintenance, calibration, sale, and repair of weighing equipment. Although its main office is in Tibás, its services extend throughout Costa Rica, establishing itself as a key player in the weighing equipment and calibration sector.
Its services are primarily directed at sectors such as the food and pharmaceutical industries, where precision in weighing is crucial to ensure product quality and safety.
Since February 15, 2019, Romanas Lacost has held accreditation from the Costa Rican Accreditation Body (ECA) under the INTE-ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard for the calibration of non-automatic weighing instruments and standard weights, as described in the accreditation scope LC-143. This accreditation ensures that its laboratory meets the highest international standards for technical competence in calibrations, guaranteeing precise and reliable results.
The accreditation has been fundamental for Romanas Lacost in providing credibility and trust to its clients. This support ensures that calibrated equipment meets rigorous international standards, which is essential in processes where weighing precision is critical. Additionally, it has allowed them to differentiate themselves in the market and serve clients requiring specific certifications to operate, strengthening their position as leaders in the sector.
For Romanas Lacost, accreditation has had a significant impact on customer loyalty. By meeting rigorous international standards, Romanas Lacost builds a reputation based on the quality of its services and the reliability of its results, generating trust and loyalty among its clients. Satisfied customers tend to repeat purchases and recommend services, amplifying the company’s reach through positive word-of-mouth.
As a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), Romanas Lacost faces challenges such as maintaining consistency and reliability in its services in an environment with growing demand. Accreditation has allowed them to establish standardised processes that guarantee precise and consistent results, facilitating efficient management of workload volume without compromising quality.
Impact on the Sector and Commitment to Excellence
Romanas Lacost’s firm commitment to quality and continuous improvement enables its contribution to sector development through innovative solutions. This has generated a positive impact on the local economy, fostering trust and loyalty among its clients.
In conclusion, Romanas Lacost S.A. is a notable example of how an SME can sustainably grow by meeting high international standards through continuous improvement, allowing the implementation of conformity assessment standards and differentiation. This support and trust have enabled the company to consolidate itself as a reference in calibration and marketing of weighing equipment in Costa Rica. Accreditation has been a strategic factor in strengthening its reputation and retaining customers, promoting sustainable growth in the market.
World Accreditation Day, a yearly initiative established by ILAC and IAF to highlight the value and importance of accreditation, will be held on 09 June 2025.
SMEs are essential to the global economy, driving innovation, creating jobs and supporting local communities. However, these businesses often face challenges such as limited resources, competition and difficulty accessing markets. One tool that SMEs can use to address these challenges is conformity assessment, which can provide assurance that their products, services, processes or procedures meet specified requirements. Accreditation of a conformity assessment body confirms that the body is competent and reliable, providing confidence in its results.
Through accredited conformity assessment, SMEs can demonstrate their commitment to quality, safety, sustainability and compliance with recognised best practices. This can strengthen their reputation and consumer confidence, helping SMEs to attract and retain customers. Additionally, SMEs can increase their business opportunities and market access by proving their compliance with standards and regulations.
Accredited conformity assessment can aid SMEs in identifying areas for improvement in their operations, such as enhancing product quality and streamlining processes. For SMEs seeking funding, accredited conformity assessment can improve access to financial support, by signalling lower risk to lenders and investors. It can also enable the SME to meet requirements for government grants or incentives.
The IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) and ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) provide an infrastructure that allows accredited conformity assessment results to be recognised around the world. They enable the acceptance of products and services across borders, by removing the need for them to undergo additional tests, inspections or certification in each economy where they are sold.
As in previous years, IAF and ILAC held a contest to develop the official poster. The winning poster was designed by Joshua Egahi-Ojo Alhassan.
You can download the poster, Joint Statement from the IAF and ILAC Chairs, and the WAD Brochure here.
ILAC and IAF will also be holding a virtual event on 09 June, with more information to be released via social media @ILAC_Official on “X” or ILAC on LinkedIn , closer to the date.
The signatory status of Quality and Accreditation Institute, Centre for International Accreditation (QAI CIA) India, to the ILAC MRA has been extended to include the accreditation of Calibration (ISO/IEC 17025).
The full list of signatories to the ILAC MRA is available from https://ilac.org/signatory-search/ .
IAF and ILAC are pleased to announce the publication of our 2025 World Accreditation Day (WAD) resources. This year’s theme, Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), highlights how accreditation helps SMEs grow, access global markets and improve quality and sustainability. The resources, including a joint statement from the IAF and ILAC Chairs, a brochure and a video, are now available here for the use of members and stakeholders in celebrating WAD 2025 on 09 June.
Additionally, a variety of case studies related to our theme are available on the Business Benefits and Public Sector Assurance websites. These case studies illustrate how SMEs from different sectors have successfully leveraged accreditation to access new markets and achieve long-term growth.
IAF and ILAC encourage all members and stakeholders to participate in the global celebration. We invite organisations and individuals to:
IAF and ILAC will also be holding a virtual event on 09 June, with more information to be released closer to the date. Follow IAF (International Accreditation Forum Inc) and ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC)) on LinkedIn, or IAF (@IAF_Global) and ILAC (@ILAC_Official) on X for the latest WAD updates.
By helping SMEs succeed in competitive markets, accreditation not only helps individual businesses thrive but also contributes to a more sustainable, resilient and equitable global economy. IAF and ILAC are excited to celebrate the significant role that accreditation plays in supporting SMEs, and look forward to engaging with our members and stakeholders throughout the global WAD 2025 celebration.
We welcome Consejo Nacional de Acreditación (CNA), Panama, as a Full Member of ILAC.
As CNA is a signatory to the IAAC MLA for the accreditation of testing laboratories using ISO/IEC 17025, calibration laboratories using ISO/IEC 17025 and inspection bodies using ISO/IEC 17020, CNA has been granted signatory status to the ILAC MRA and therefore, Full membership of ILAC.
We welcome CNA and look forward to working with our CNA colleagues.
The full list of signatories to the ILAC MRA is available here.
The Japan Accreditation Service for agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Japan, is welcomed as an Associate member of ILAC.
We welcome JASaff and look forward to working with our JASaff colleagues.
We welcome International Quality and Accreditation Services Pvt. Ltd., India, as a Full Member of ILAC.
As IQAS is a signatory to the APAC MRA for the accreditation of testing laboratories using ISO/IEC 17025, medical testing using ISO 15189 and calibration laboratories using ISO/IEC 17025, IQAS has been granted signatory status to the ILAC MRA and therefore, Full membership of ILAC.
We welcome IQAS and look forward to working with our IQAS colleagues.
The full list of signatories to the ILAC MRA is available here.
ILAC and IAF are pleased to announce the three winning designs in the 2025 World Accreditation Day poster contest, which received a total of 64 entries. This year’s contest invited contestants to explore the theme of Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Congratulations to Joshua Egahi-Ojo Alhassan, who won the first-place prize of USD 1500. His design, inspired by nature, symbolizes the growth of SMEs through accreditation. In his poster, an accreditation symbol supports a microcosm of SMEs, which are overlooked by a tree bearing fruits in the form of industry icons. This powerful visual represents how accreditation fosters growth, leading to positive outcomes that benefit society. Learn more about the designer and his inspiration here.
The winning poster is available for download here.
We would also like to congratulate our second-place winner, Wardina Afiqah Mohd Hasrin, and our third-place winners, the team of Laura Uraine and Tania Blancas. Each runner-up entry earned a prize of USD 500. Learn more about these designers and their posters here.
Thank you to all participants!