We all need to trust in the safety of the lifts we use, the correct labelling of the food we eat, the quality of the water we drink, the reliability of diagnostic services, the safety of vehicles’ components, the security of electronic transactions or the correct measurement ability of our electric meter or of the fuel pump we use to refuel our cars.

To achieve this level of trust, products, processes, services and facilities go through different types of evaluations, such as tests, inspections or certifications, also known as conformity assessment activities. Their objective is to evaluate whether a product, service, system or facility complies with certain requirements that could be established by law, and therefore have a regulatory nature, or described in standards, specifications of other voluntary documents. 

Accreditation is the internationally recognised tool to deliver confidence in the proper execution of conformity assessment activities. It helps conformity assessment bodies (CABs) prove they have the necessary technical competence to perform their activities and offer reliable results. The added value of accreditation affects everyone’s daily lives, as it provides confidence about the ability of CABs to offer the necessary levels or rigour to protect the products and services available in the market.