What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is the formal proof that an organization, such as a certification body, has the competence to perform specific tasks such as testing, inspections, or certifications according to international standards. It is granted by a national accreditation body, which itself is recognized by higher-level international organizations.

Certificates issued by accredited certification bodies are recognized worldwide and mutually accepted by other countries.

Accreditation ensures that the entire certification process is transparent, reliable, and internationally recognized.

Hierarchy of Accreditation:

1. IAF (International Accreditation Forum):
   The highest level. The IAF defines global standards and ensures that all national accreditation bodies work according to the same criteria.
2. National Accreditation Bodies:
   There are various accreditation bodies, such as DAkkS in Germany, UKAS in the UK, or IAS in the USA. These organizations accredit certification bodies and ensure compliance with international standards such as ISO 17021.
3. Certification Bodies:
   Certification bodies (like PIAQ) are accredited to certify companies according to specific standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or ISO 27001.

Learn more about accreditation at PIAQ here.