The Arab Accreditation Cooperation Secretariat recently underwent a thorough evaluation by IAF and ILAC as part of its re-evaluation process and scope extension for the international recognition of the ARAC Multilateral Recognition Arrangement.
The European co-operation for Accreditation has published its Annual Report highlighting key activities and partnerships, convened the EA Laboratory Committee Health Care Working Group in Dublin to address the transition to EN 15189:2022 and other critical topics, and, together with EQIN partners, released a Concept Note outlining the role and vision of the European Quality Infrastructure Network.
The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) held its 31st General Assembly from 24–27 June 2025 in Zanzibar, Tanzania. This year’s “Day of Standardisation,” on 25 June, was themed “Accelerating Fair and Just Trade in Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through a Coherent Regulatory Framework and Harmonised Standards.”
As Africa advances toward a more integrated trading landscape under the African Continental Free Trade Area, mutual recognition arrangements in accreditation and conformity assessment play a crucial role in ensuring the acceptance of testing, inspection, and certification results across borders.
EA published its 2024 MLA Report, confirming 44 member signatories and growth in key scopes. It also hosted workshops on IT systems for accreditation bodies and on the Implementing Regulation EU 2024/2981.
The Southern African Development Community Cooperation in Accreditation held virtual committee meetings and its 29th General Assembly in March 2025.
ARAC has launched the development process for its 2026–2030 Strategy, setting a forward-looking vision for accreditation in the Arab region. As part of its capacity-building efforts, ARAC also hosted a regional training workshop on ISO/IEC 17029 and ISO 14065, strengthening the technical expertise of accreditation bodies.
The African Accreditation Cooperation conducted two half days’ virtual training from 14–15 January 2025 on Decision Making Including the Role of Task Force Groups.
The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) was published in the EU Official Journal on 20 November 2024. Regulation EU 2024/2847 establishes EU-wide cybersecurity requirements for the hardware and software’s design, development, production, and market availability.
The 5th Arab Accreditation Week emphasized the region’s commitment to excellence in accreditation. Featuring over 1000 participants, the event included diverse workshops on key topics like ISO standards and laboratory accreditation.
Delegates from National Accreditation Bodies and National Cybersecurity Certification Agencies participated in an online workshop on the EU Cybersecurity Act and the Implementing Regulation on the EU CC scheme and State-of-the-Art (SoA) documents for accreditation, held on 20 June 2024.
The Southern African Development Community Cooperation in Accreditation (SADCA) held its 2024 SADCA Regional World Accreditation Day Celebrations virtually on 14 June 2024.
The European co-operation for Accreditation held a webinar on ‘European Blockchain technology for the use in accreditation and certification’, with more than 300 attendees.
ARAC recently accepted a new member and held various meetings, workshops and training courses.
The 14th AFRAC General Assembly and meetings were held from 25-29 September 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya.
EA has introduced an EA Communication Network, welcomed new members, published reports, approved an MOU for the European QI and released a video on the EU Emission Trading System.
ARAC recently held its 11th General Assembly in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
SADCA, together with its arrangement members Mauritas, SADCAS and SANAS, hosted its second virtual session in commemoration of World Accreditation Day via Zoom webinar.
EA has gained a new member, published three reports, approved a memorandum of understanding for the European Quality Infrastructure, and released a video on accreditation’s role in the EU Emission Trading System.
The 2023 AFRAC Mid-Term Meetings were held in Tunisia from 12-16 June. The meetings took place against the backdrop of the ILAC/IAF JWGC meeting, which was hosted at the same venue from 17-18 June.
The Arab Accreditation Cooperation held its 10th Annual Meetings in Cairo, Egypt, from 04 to 08 December 2022.
IAF Outlook 