IAF is the global association of Conformity Assessment Accreditation Bodies and other entities interested in conformity assessment in various fields such as management systems, products, services, personnel, and similar programs of conformity assessment. Its primary function is to develop a unified worldwide program of conformity assessment that reduces risks for businesses and their customers by ensuring that accredited certificates can be relied upon. Accreditation assures users of the competence and impartiality of the accredited bodies. IAF members accredit certification or registration bodies that issue certificates attesting to an organization's compliance with specified standards (referred to as conformity assessment). IAF has two primary purposes. Firstly, it ensures that its accreditation body members only accredit bodies that are competent to perform the work they undertake and are free from conflicts of interest. Secondly, IAF establishes mutual recognition arrangements, known as Multilateral Recognition Arrangements (MLA), among its accreditation body members. These arrangements minimize risks for businesses and customers by ensuring that accredited certificates are dependable anywhere in the world. IAF works to create an effective system that enables companies with accredited conformity assessment certificates in one part of the world to have those certificates recognized elsewhere globally.
IAF web site
The Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) is an association of accreditation bodies and other interested parties with the objective of promoting trade and commerce among economies in the Asia Pacific region. Its ultimate goal is to establish a global system that grants international recognition to certification or registration of management systems, products, services, personnel, and other conformity assessment programs.
APAC promotes the international acceptance of accreditations granted by its accreditation body members, based on the equivalence of their accreditation programs. It operates within the framework of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and collaborates with other regional groups of accreditation bodies worldwide.
APAC web site