IAF Secretariat

For more than three decades, IAF has provided a forum in which accreditation bodies, regional accreditation groups, stakeholders and partners could collaborate to address technical challenges, align practices and respond to the changing demands of global markets. As the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated assumes the activities previously undertaken by IAF, the IAF Secretariat extends its sincere thanks to all those who have contributed to this work, which has shaped the role of accreditation in international trade and public confidence.

Since its formation in 1998, IAF has worked to harmonize accreditation programs, develop its Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA), support emerging accreditation bodies and promote global acceptance of accredited conformity assessment. Its creation responded to a rapidly evolving landscape: the introduction of ISO management system standards, the European Communities’ New Approach, and the establishment of the World Trade Organization emphasized the importance of standards and conformity assessment to support trade and confidence worldwide.

Over the decades, IAF’s membership grew to include 99 Accreditation Body Members, 33 Association Members, and 06 Regional Accreditation Group Members spanning all regions of the world. Its MLA expanded to cover 04 main scopes and 36 sub-scopes, while the number of accreditation body signatories grew to 90. MLA signatories have facilitated the international acceptance of accredited certification, validation and verification, strengthening confidence in products, services and systems.

Key milestones in IAF’s history include the launch of IAF CertSearch, additions of new scopes to its MLA, and signature of agreements and memoranda of understanding with a number of international partners and scheme owners. IAF also demonstrated resilience during global challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, when the accreditation community collaborated to ensure continuity and integrity across global accreditation systems. These accomplishments reflect the commitment of officers, committees, working groups and task forces who have contributed their time and expertise.

IAF has also played a central role in fostering global collaboration, bringing together diverse stakeholders to share knowledge and harmonize practices. Through its MLA, IAF has contributed to reducing trade barriers, improving trust in accredited conformity assessment and supporting public policy and market access across economies.

As IAF ceases operations, its work will continue through Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, supporting innovation, collaboration and trust in accredited conformity assessment worldwide.

Updates and resources are available on the new website: www.globalaccreditationcooperationincorporated.org. We also encourage our readers to subscribe to the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated newsletter mailing list at http://eepurl.com/ju2yr6.