IEC, ILAC and IAF sign tripartite Memorandum of Understanding

Published: 1-Dec-2010

Agreement will reduce cost, time and complexity through the pooling of resources


An historic agreement between IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) and IAF (International Accreditation Forum) will help significantly to reduce cost, time and complexity for the reassessment of certification bodies and testing laboratories that are accredited by IAF and ILAC Member Accreditation Bodies (ABs).

One of the most important outcomes of the tripartite MoU (Memorandum of Understanding), which was signed in Shanghai, China, in November 2010, will be that henceforth a single reassessment – instead of three – will suffice and be accepted by all three bodies.

This type of cooperation agreement is unprecedented in the conformity assessment world and builds on years of collaboration between the IEC CA (Conformity Assessment) Systems, ILAC and IAF. It directly and positively impacts the certification bodies and testing laboratories that are accredited by IAF and ILAC Member ABs and operate as registered members of the relevant IEC CA System(s).

The three bodies have already put in place a successful pilot programme to test this new approach, and have set-up a dedicated website to implement the tripartite Agreement.

Under the MoU a common Steering Committee was created that will be responsible for developing co-operation strategies, providing support and dealing with project issues and deliverables.

Another objective set out by the MoU is to facilitate a co-ordinated application of ISO/IEC standards and guidance documents for the purpose of assessment of certification bodies and testing laboratories operating in the IEC CA Systems. This includes a common understanding of the technical issues and the harmonisation of the respective assessment procedures.

Provisions are also made for joint training and workshops for lead assessors, and when possible, joint work on the development of harmonised procedures and policies.

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