Moslem Barrak
ARAC Secretary

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 18-19 December 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 Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (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.

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, an ARAC Regional Training Workshop on ISO/IEC 17029 and ISO 14065 was held from 13-14 January 2025.

This workshop, organized 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.

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 through a two-part approach: first, by evaluating its contributions to trade facilitation, private sector development, public health, environmental sustainability, social well-being, and consumer protection; and second, by analyzing the role of ARAC as a regional body, the progress of national ABs and conformity assessment bodies (CABs), and the support provided to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the accreditation process. The research aims to demonstrate how accreditation strengthens regulatory systems, fosters economic growth, and enhances societal outcomes across the Arab world.

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 prioritize enhancing ARAC’s role in promoting quality, fostering collaboration, and supporting the sustainable growth of the Arab accreditation system.

6th Edition of the Arab Accreditation Week:

The 6th Arab Accreditation Week (AA 2025), scheduled for June 2025 under the theme “How Accreditation Empowers SMEs in the Arab Region,” will spotlight accreditation’s role in boosting SME competitiveness, market access, and consumer trust. The event will include capacity-building workshops, awareness sessions, and panel discussions with policymakers, industry leaders, conformity assessment bodies, and SME representatives, focusing on how accredited conformity assessment helps SMEs comply with regulations, enhance product quality, and access regional and global markets.