Moslem Barrak
ARAC Secretary

ARAC Secretariat Undergoes ILAC/IAF Re-Evaluation and Scope Extension

The Arab Accreditation Cooperation (ARAC) Secretariat recently underwent a thorough evaluation by IAF and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) as part of its re-evaluation process and scope extension for the international recognition of the ARAC Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA). The evaluation was conducted from 8th to 9th April 2025 at the offices of the Moroccan Accreditation Service (SEMAC) in Rabat, Morocco.

Leading the evaluation team were Mr. Sergio Guzzi from the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) as the Team Leader for Regional Evaluation (TL-R), and Mrs. Liliane Somma from the Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) as the Deputy TL-R.

ARAC would like to express its sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the IAF/ILAC evaluation team for their professionalism, dedication, and collaborative spirit throughout this evaluation. The evaluation was both constructive and productive, providing valuable insights that will contribute to the enhancement of ARAC’s operations and the robustness of its MLA.

6th Edition of the Arab Accreditation Week: Theme: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises in the Arab Region – Driving Innovation, Creating Jobs, and Supporting Local Communities through Accreditation

As part of the global commemoration of World Accreditation Day on 9 June 2025, ARAC proudly launched the 6th edition of Arab Accreditation Week (AAW). This year’s celebration highlighted the transformative role of accreditation in empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)—the engine of economic growth, innovation, and job creation in the Arab region.

Held under the theme “Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises in the Arab Region: Driving Innovation, Creating Jobs, and Supporting Local Communities through Accreditation,” AAW 2025 shed light on how accreditation enhances the competitiveness of SMEs by improving product and service quality, facilitating market access, and enabling compliance with international standards.

Throughout the week, ARAC and its partners hosted a series of targeted training and awareness sessions aimed at strengthening regional capacities, promoting stakeholder engagement, and advancing harmonization efforts across the conformity assessment and accreditation landscape.

AAW 2025 – Highlights of the Week

o 16–17 June 2025 – Training on ISO 50003:2014 & ISO 50001:2018

This two-day session focused on the accreditation requirements for Energy Management System (EnMS) Certification Bodies, providing essential guidance on how SMEs can reduce operational costs and enhance sustainability through accredited certification to ISO 50001.

o 18–19 June 2025 – Training on OH&SMS Level 4 and 5 Standards (ISO/IEC TS 17021-10 & ISO 45001)

Participants explored key technical aspects of accrediting Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OH&SMS) Certification Bodies, equipping them to support SMEs in ensuring workforce safety, meeting legal requirements, and improving workplace conditions.

o 19 June 2025 – Awareness Session on FSSC 22000

This session offered insights into the FSSC 22000 Food Safety Management System, emphasizing how SMEs in the food sector can gain access to global markets and enhance consumer trust through accredited certification in food safety.

AAW 2025 also served as a platform to showcase the valuable contributions of ARAC stakeholders and Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) in supporting SME development through reliable, accessible, and internationally recognized conformity assessment services.

As the Arab region continues to advance its quality infrastructure, ARAC remains committed to empowering SMEs and ensuring that accreditation remains a key driver of inclusive and sustainable development.