IAF Outlook

Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated Launch Unifies International Accreditation Organizations and Strengthens Worldwide Trust

Being “Professional Agnostic” in Conformity Assessment: Origins, Significance and Future for the World of Conformity Assessment, in Light of the Future ISO/IEC 17067

By IAF Secretariat on September 30, 2025 • ( 1 Comment )

Introducing IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry as an IAF-Endorsed Scheme

By IAF Secretariat on September 30, 2025

IAF Extends Multilateral Recognition Arrangement to ISO 14067

By IAF Secretariat on September 30, 2025

The first accredited СBs according to the anti-bribery standard will work in Kazakhstan

By iafsecretariat on April 30, 2023

In Kazakhstan, corruption-related issues are being addressed at the state level, and various public institutions and mechanisms are involved in its solution. One of them is the International Standard ISO 37001 “Anti-bribery management systems — Requirements with guidance for use”, which is widely discussed in Kazakhstan. The standard is designed to help organizations implement an effective anti-bribery management system that is applicable to small, medium and large organizations in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Implementation of ISO 18788 as an option for Private Security Organizations

By iafsecretariat on April 30, 2023

Through ISO18788, the private security sector assumes preventive control as a responsibility and respect for human rights, since, by demonstrating that the operations are coherent and demonstrate credibility, the satisfaction of the significant parties is achieved.

SADCA Obtains its International Recognition

By iafsecretariat on April 30, 2023

The key strategic milestone of the international recognition of the SADCA MRA by ILAC and IAF supports industrialisation and facilitates regional and international trade by promoting confidence in accredited results.

Proposed Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation – aligned with the New Legislative Framework

By iafsecretariat on April 30, 2023

The European Commission is aiming to make products on the EU market increasingly sustainable, by enabling far-reaching performance and information requirements – known as ‘ecodesign requirements’ – to be set on a wide range of them to improve their circularity, energy performance, and other environmental sustainability aspects.

The Role of Accreditation in Sustainability

By iafsecretariat on April 30, 2023

Verifications and validations: the first Body accredited by Accredia in Italy according to ISO/IEC 17029 The theme of sustainability sells. The value of green spending by Italians in 2021 reached 12.5 billion euros – as found by a Nielsen GS1 Italy study – with advertising on ethical and […]

Digitisation and the Future of Accredited Conformity Assessment

By IAF Secretariat on December 23, 2022

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is well underway. It is up to the conformity assessment sector to respond to evolving technologies and customer expectations if the acceptance and status of conformity assessment are to be maintained.

Getting Standards to Work for All

By IAF Secretariat on December 23, 2022

There is a growing recognition that standards are not neutral; they are experienced differently depending on someone’s gender. A lack of gender responsiveness, for example, has been shown to have health and safety implications and, given the importance of standards to the economy, undoubtedly, the lack of gender responsiveness would have implications there too.

Cybersecurity: The Elephant in the Room

By IAF Secretariat on December 23, 2022

Since their invention, the WWW and Internet have grown rapidly whilst security has lagged behind. Cybercrime has increased exponentially in the 21st century, costing the global economy more than USD 6 trillion in 2021.

The Importance of the International, Regional and National Quality Infrastructure

By IAF Secretariat on December 23, 2022

In almost every country in the world, there are standardization bodies, metrological institutes, certification bodies, inspection bodies and accredited laboratories. These pillars are one of the links that build confidence in trade.

Digitalization in Conformity Assessment – A Global Study

By IAF Secretariat on December 23, 2022

The adoption of technologies and digitalization of conformity assessment continues to evolve rapidly. To understand the latest trends, a team of researchers from BAM, TU Berlin and Fraunhofer Institute in Germany and from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand conducted surveys in fourteen countries and collected data from over 1,300 conformity assessment bodies.

ISO 37301:2021 New Certifiable Standard Under Accreditation on Compliance Systems

By IAF Secretariat on December 23, 2022

In April 2021, ISO 37301:2021, ‘Compliance management systems — Requirements with guidance for use’ was published. A compliance management system comprises all the measures, structures and processes that a company or organization establishes to ensure compliance with the norms, standards and the law.

World Accreditation Day 2023

By IAF Secretariat on December 23, 2022

Each year on 09 June, IAF and ILAC celebrate World Accreditation Day. We’re excited to announce the theme for WAD 2023 as Accreditation: Supporting the Future of Global Trade.

A New Accreditation Scheme for the Natural and Organic Cosmetics Sector

By IAF Secretariat on December 23, 2022

Cofrac has opened a new accreditation scheme according to ISO/IEC 17065 for the certification of natural and organic cosmetics according to the COSMOS scheme.

Despite the Coronavirus Pandemic, Quality Infrastructure Continues to Grow Worldwide

By IAF Secretariat on December 23, 2022

The Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) measures QI’s development status and dynamics worldwide. In close coordination with representatives and experts from QI bodies worldwide, key indicators were identified, the data collected, and a composite index was created.

ARAC Holds 10th Annual Meetings

By IAF Secretariat on December 23, 2022

The Arab Accreditation Cooperation held its 10th Annual Meetings in Cairo, Egypt, from 04 to 08 December 2022.

O’ZAKK – Behind the Scenes

By IAF Secretariat on December 23, 2022 • ( 2 Comments )

Preparation, planning and coordination were vital for O’ZAKK as a developing accreditation body to experience a fully remote peer evaluation procedure in line with the policies stipulated in the IAF/ILAC A-Series and relevant APAC documents.

Accreditation Supporting the Growth of the Infrastructure Sector

By IAF Secretariat on December 23, 2022 • ( 1 Comment )

The infrastructure sector is a key driver for economic growth. It is pivotal that quality and conformity are ensured in this critical sector.

What’s Happened in EA and the Accreditation World in the Past Months?

By IAF Secretariat on December 23, 2022

The latest news from EA includes updates on the EA MLA and EA MLA signatories, EA documents, and a European Commission decision on a certification framework for carbon removals.

Remote Auditing – Just another Tool in the Toolbox?

By IAF Secretariat on September 30, 2022 • ( 3 Comments )

The concept of remote audits has been around for many years and has for a long time been possible within stated controls. The IAF TC has been looking closely at the current situation with regard to remote and blended audits, including reviewing coverage in standards and in existing IAF documents.

Accredited Certification Supporting Gender Equality in Italy

By IAF Secretariat on September 30, 2022 • ( 1 Comment )

UNI, the Italian standardization body, has published the publicly available specification PdR 125, entitled “Guidelines on the management system for gender equality which provides the adoption of specific KPIs (Key Performance Indicator) relating to gender equality policies in organizations “. This certifiable standard, developed together with Accredia and the Department for Equal Opportunities of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and other interested parties, aims to initiate a systemic process of cultural change in organizations in order to increase gender equality.