IAAC joins the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated and strengthens the representation of the Americas in the new global accreditation system

Bangkok, Thailand / 23–24 October 2025

The Inter American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) is pleased to announce its formal admission as a member of the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, the new international organization that succeeds ILAC and IAF and unifies the global accreditation system under a modern, integrated and efficient structure that enhances confidence in accredited results worldwide.

IAAC’s admission was approved during the Second General Assembly of the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, held in Bangkok with the participation of accreditation bodies, regional cooperation bodies, governments, stakeholders and leaders from the international quality infrastructure community.

What is Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated?

Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated is the new international cooperation created to integrate the historical functions of ILAC and IAF. Registered in New Zealand in December 2024, it will begin full operations on 1 January 2026.

Its core objectives include:

• Establishing a single global Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MRA).
• Ensuring technical consistency among accreditation bodies.
• Strengthening global trust in accredited conformity assessment.
• Facilitating international trade, competitiveness and consumer protection.
• Enhancing cooperation among regions, regulators, industry and stakeholders.

The importance of IAAC’s membership

With its admission, IAAC:

• Represents the member countries of the American continent within the development of the new global accreditation system.
• Ensures the continuity of international recognition for IAAC MLA signatory accreditation bodies.
• Contributes to the development of global policies, documents and procedures.
• Strengthens the regional and international quality infrastructure landscape.

This milestone reinforces IAAC’s commitment to technical excellence and international cooperation.

Organizational structure of Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated

According to the official Bangkok presentation, the Executive Committee is composed of:

• Chair
• Vice-Chair
• MRA Committee Chair
• Technical Committee Labs Chair
• Technical Committee Inspection Chair
• Technical Committee Certification Chair
• Accreditation Committee Chair
• Development Support Committee Chair
• Communications Committee Chair
• Stakeholders Committee Chair
• 2 Stakeholder Representatives
• 6 Regional Cooperation Body Chairs (IAAC, APAC, AFRAC, ARAC, EA, SADCA)

This structure ensures balanced, inclusive and globally representative governance.

2025 Election Results

The General Assembly elected the following leaders for 2026–2028:

• Chair

• Mr. Brahim Houla, GCC Accreditation Center (GAC)

• Vice-Chair

• Mr. Emanuele Riva, Accredia (Italy)

Both will assume office on 1 January 2026.

List of candidates for all organizational positions

3. Accreditation Committee Chair

• Maureen Logghe (BELAC)
• Anita Rani (NABL)

4. Arrangement Committee Chair

• Trace McInturff (A2LA)
• Eve C. Gadzikwa (SADCAS)
• Maria Papatzikou (ESYD)

5. Technical Committee #1 – Laboratorios

• Martha C. Mejía Luna (ema)
• Natarajan Venkateswaran (NABCB)
• He Ping (CNAS)
• Moath Almayman (SAAC)

6. Technical Committee #2 – Inspección

• Paul Matera (ANAB)

7. Technical Committee #3 – CBs/VVBs

• Patrick McCullen (IAS)
• Ann Howard (ANAB)

8. Stakeholder Committee Chair

• Marcus Long (IIOA)
• Ileana Martínez (TIC Council)
• Mrutunjay Jena (AHPI)
• Luc Scholtis (UILI)

9. Communication Committee Chair

• Brendon Moo (NATA)
• Bhupendra Kumar Rana (QAI)
• Varsha Misra (NABCB)

10. Development Support Committee Chair

• Paola Marsico (OAA)
• Celestine Okanya (NiNAS)
• Varsha Misra (NABCB)
• Fei Yang (CNAS)

11. Financial Audit Committee – AB Representative

• Jonas Shai (SANAS)
• Natarajan Venkateswaran (NABCB)
• Todor Gunchev (EA-BAS)
• Jesper Høy (DANAK)
• Mayank Khanna (Accreditation Canada Diagnostics)

12. Financial Audit Committee – Stakeholder Representative

• Mrutunjay Jena (AHPI)

13. Treasurer (to be appointed)

 Jonas Shai (SANAS)

Pedro Alves (IQNet)

Anita Rani (NABL)

14. Quality Manager (to be appointed)

Hamza Khan (GAC)

Sitaram Joshi (AERSSC)

Mallika Gope (NABL)

IAAC’s commitment

IAAC will continue to contribute to the development and strengthening of the global accreditation system through:

• Active participation in technical and strategic committees.
• Contributions to global documentation and harmonization.
• Ongoing interregional cooperation.
• Promotion of competitiveness, innovation and trust across markets.

IAAC’s membership in Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated reaffirms its role as a strategic actor in building a stronger, more inclusive and globally representative accreditation system.