Accreditation, Management Systems and Laboratories

We hope to shed "light" on the issues of certification and accreditation such that provides objective information (by not adding conjectures or opinions) on certification bodies and accreditation service providers..

First most, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) role is to identify, develop and publish standards. The ISO does NOT engage in activities of accreditation or certification or to recommend accreditation or certification.

The basic definition to accredit and the act to accredit (accreditation) according to Merriam - Webster dictionary - 1: to give official authorization to or approval of: a; to provide with credentials; especially : to send (an envoy) with letters of authorization b : to recognize or vouch for as conforming with a standard c : to recognize (an educational institution) as maintaining standards that qualify the graduates for admission to higher or more specialized institutions or for professional practice. Approve is consider synonymous, among others terms. As defined, a laboratory is a place equipped for experimental study in a science or for testing and analysis... as this suffices to include in this brief dissertation. An accredited laboratory as per ISO/IEC 17025 A2.5 states that needs defining the scope of competence of the laboratory prior to engaging into the accreditation protocol.

In the realm of management systems and laboratories we enter, as ISO/IEC 17000 (Conformity Assessment - Vocabulary and General Principles) expresses that accreditation is "Third-party attestation related to a conformity assessment body conveying formal demonstration of its competence to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks". In ISO/IEC 17011 (Conformity Assessment - General Requirements for Accreditation Bodies Accrediting Conformity Assessment Bodies) expresses that accreditation is "third-party attestation related to a conformity assessment body conveying formal demonstration of its competence to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks". ISO/IEC 17011 defines accreditation body as "authoritative body that perform accreditation" and defines Conformity Assessment Body (CAB, some refer to CB or CEB) as "body that performs conformity assessment services and that can be the object of accreditation".

Where does the concept derives from? From the disciplines of education and herein our reference is ADVANCED Worldwide where it states that the concept of accreditation derives from more than 100 years ago by American universities and schools as a simply states that is a "voluntary method of quality assurance". And this concept engages a framework of standards, implementation, continuous improvement and peer support through internal and external reviews, which provides for recognition (extending national, international or sector specific).

Based on the facts as ISO/IEC 17011 and ISO/IEC 17000 expresses, accreditation may come from a multitude of sources whether national or international. From the sources cited in this brief dissertation some of the key words that we reference providing accreditation benefits: framework, quality, international, national, standards, improvement, professional development, best practices (as in laboratories the term - concept GLP rises for ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO/IEC 15189), and support from peers. Minimum expectations when engaging in an accreditation protocol encompass:

Fulfilling and adhering to a given standard(s),

Engage in a continuous process of update and improvement, and

Demonstration of quality assurance through internal and external reviewing or monitoring to assure competence and impartiality.

Both accreditation and certification are voluntary commercial arrangements; certification bodies (CAB, CEB, CB) are free to choose or not to choose an accreditation protocol whether as a complete international platform or a local body (AB) [some refer to recognition], same as the organizations - companies - governments are free to select or not to select a certification body or a subsidiary.

Then, the basics to select a certification body? Your client(s) provide determining factors, since the objective to certify is not to merely have a piece of paper but that provides adding - value to services and products. Thereof, some of the parameters to consider in a given formula are ethics, integrity and value - adding. For this the accreditation protocols may help at different degrees (or not help) in this formula . The competence, innovation, approach and simplicity within the boundaries of international standards of some accreditation bodies is vital to the formula; and the truly proactive accreditation bodies add to the formula assurance of competence and impartiality.

Last but not least, many claim credibility. Credibility is defined as the quality or power of inspiring belief. Worthiness to believe (not to deceive) with moral certainty. To this effect consider factual recognition and backing with legal implications and moral values and not by specific memberships supplanting mutual protection.

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Page update
07/21/10