IAAC Strengthens Governance: Stakeholders Cast Their Vote for the First Time at the 33rd General Assembly

Press Release / News

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – August 17 to 23, 2025

The InterAmerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) is pleased to announce a significant milestone in its governance structure: stakeholders have formally exercised their right to vote for the first time on decisions of the General Assembly. This historic event took place during the 34th IAAC General Assembly, held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where the active participation of stakeholders reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity.

The formalization of voting rights for stakeholders represents a crucial step forward for IAAC, solidifying its model of collaborative governance. From now on, the voices of members, other international accreditation cooperation bodies, and various stakeholders—including representatives from the industrial sector, academia, and government agencies—are fully integrated into the decision-making process.

During the General Assembly, stakeholders participated in key decisions, including:

• The election of positions on the IAAC Executive Committee.
• The approval of strategic agreements and partnerships with other regional and international organizations.
• The updating of fundamental documents, ensuring that the organization’s guidelines remain relevant and aligned with the needs of the global accreditation environment.
• The deliberation on other essential matters for the future of cooperation in the Americas.

The inclusion of stakeholders in the voting process reflects IAAC’s dedication to ensuring its work benefits a wide range of sectors and promotes a culture of continuous improvement in conformity assessment.