12.4. The Role of Accreditation in the Quality Infrastructure (QI)

According to the ISO 17000:2020, Conformity Assessment – Vocabulary and general principles, accreditation is defined as ''a third-party attestation related to a conformity assessment body, conveying formal demonstration of its competence, impartiality, and consistent operation in performing specific conformity assessment activities'' (ISO/IEC, 2020). Accordingly, '’accreditation as such is applicable in the case of laboratories, inspection bodies, certification bodies, validation and verification bodies, and bodies that certify personnel'' (Kellerman, 2019). Additionally, the use of the ISO/IEC 17000 standards series developed by international organizations for standardisation ISO/IEC has recently become imperative, but sometimes national standards (not harmonized with the ISO/IEC 17000 standards series) are also used in some countries (Kellerman, 2019). At the international level, two key international organizations for accreditation are the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) both having the aim of facilitating international trade through enhanced confidence (see ISO/UNIDO, 2010). At the regional level, Regional Accreditation Bodies (RABs) are the ones that provide accreditation services to smaller countries in a region established by a trade agreement – have been established in some regions and have been paid special attention through ILAC and the IAF, such as Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS) (ISO/UNIDO, 2010). At the national level, member states may establish National Accreditation Focal Points (NAFPs) to be liaison mechanisms between the RAB and entities wishing to be accredited (ISO/UNIDO, 2010). NAFPs may be established within a ministry or the national standards body (if there is no potential conflict of interest). As most developing countries still do not have the resources and capabilities to establish a single NAB, one of the major decisions for a developing country involves the way in which the conformity assessment activities (and the accreditation requirements) are to be carried out (ISO/UNIDO, 2010).