Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation, A.C.
Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation, A.C.
Global Accreditation Cooperation is the new international organization that will result from the integration of ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) and IAF (International Accreditation Forum). ILAC has led the international recognition of accreditation bodies for testing, calibration, and inspection laboratories, reference material producers, proficiency testing providers, and biobanks, while IAF has focused on certification bodies for management systems, products, services, people, and verification and validation. The merger of these entities, effective from 2026, aims to strengthen and harmonize the global accreditation system, facilitate international trade, and promote confidence in accredited results. The Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) is a signatory member of the ILAC and IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangements, representing the Americas and the Caribbean. With the creation of the Global Accreditation Cooperation, IAAC will continue to play this key role as a regional organization, actively contributing to a more coherent, inclusive, and sustainable global quality infrastructure.
The Asia-Pacific Cooperation on Accreditation (APAC) is the regional accreditation organization that brings together accreditation bodies from Asia and the Pacific, promoting the harmonization of practices, mutual recognition, and continuous improvement of conformity assessment systems in the region. IAAC maintains a strategic partnership with APAC, as regional member organizations of the ILAC and IAF multilateral agreements. This partnership translates into concrete actions, such as the development of joint assessments of accreditation bodies that belong to both regions. These assessments strengthen mutual trust, optimize resources, and ensure consistent application of international standards. Cooperation between IAAC and APAC contributes to the global integration of quality infrastructure and the promotion of international recognition of accredited results, benefiting the countries, economies, and industries of both regions.
The European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA) is the regional organization responsible for coordinating accreditation in Europe. It brings together the national accreditation bodies of the countries of the European Economic Area and plays a key role in ensuring the quality of products and services in European markets.
IAAC maintains a technical and strategic dialogue with EA as part of the international accreditation community recognized by ILAC and IAF. This relationship is key to strengthening mutual trust between regions, facilitating the recognition of accredited results, and aligning good practices in peer evaluations, technical training, and accreditation policies.
Collaboration with EA allows IAAC to actively contribute to the global harmonization of accreditation and consolidate its position as a regional benchmark in the Americas.
The African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) is the regional organization that promotes the development and harmonization of accreditation systems in Africa. Its mission is to strengthen the quality infrastructure on the African continent by promoting international acceptance of the results accredited by its members.
IAAC and AFRAC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster interregional cooperation, the exchange of good practices, and technical collaboration. This agreement facilitates joint initiatives in peer reviews, assessor training, digital transformation, and participation in international forums.
Through this strategic link, IAAC reaffirms its commitment to the global strengthening of accreditation, regional integration, and the building of bridges of trust between the regions of Africa and the Americas.
The African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) is the regional organization that promotes the development and harmonization of accreditation systems in Africa. Its mission is to strengthen the quality infrastructure on the African continent by promoting international acceptance of the results accredited by its members.
IAAC and AFRAC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster interregional cooperation, the exchange of good practices, and technical collaboration. This agreement facilitates joint initiatives in peer reviews, assessor training, digital transformation, and participation in international forums.
Through this strategic link, IAAC reaffirms its commitment to the global strengthening of accreditation, regional integration, and the building of bridges of trust between the regions of Africa and the Americas.
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The Arab Regional Accreditation Cooperation (ARAC) is the regional accreditation organization for Arab countries. Its mission is to develop a harmonized, efficient, and internationally recognized accreditation system that supports regional and international trade and contributes to the sustainable development of its member countries. The IAAC and ARAC maintain a formalized collaborative relationship through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which promotes technical exchange, cooperation in capacity-building activities, and the creation of tools for the digital transformation of accreditation systems. This alliance reflects the shared commitment of both regions to a modern and efficient quality infrastructure, aligned with international standards.
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