IJCA Vol 4 i1 2025 webmag - Flipbook - Page 6
6
The International Journal of Conformity Assessment
Message from IAS President
IAS started the International Journal of Conformity Assessment (IJCA) during
the COVID-19 pandemic with the intention to fill a silence that had settled across
the globe—and to begin a conversation. Five years later, it is gratifying to see that
this journal has gained the attention of industry practitioners and users, sparking
more than casual interest. The arc of our collective imagination continues to explore both the visible and hidden dimensions of the conformity assessment sector.
In a world saturated with social media and breaking news, the IJCA serves as a forum where thought
leaders, practitioners, researchers, and “assessment warriors” exchange insights and perspectives to
help advance the field of conformity assessment. As the sector grows in economic and global significance, we believe it deserves to be approached with the seriousness and intellectual rigor the field
demands. IAS, as a globally engaged accreditation body, is committed to participating in this evolving
world of ideas and action. We hope you will join us on this journey.
This publication is now ably led by Alberto Herrera, Executive Editor, who brings nearly three decades
of experience in editing and communications related to standards, codes, and technical content. He
is supported by a talented team at IAS, including Tania Blancas, Graphics and Layout Specialist; Laura
Uraine, Publications and Communications Coordinator and IJCA Secretariat; and Robyn M. Feller,
IJCA Consulting Editor. The editorial and publishing efforts are skillfully guided by Greg West, Senior
Vice President and IJCA Manager.
This latest volume of the IJCA presents articles of broad professional interest. The journal’s blind peer
review process will resume in future volumes, and peer-reviewed articles will be clearly identified.
We are also in the process of establishing an Editorial Advisory Board composed of professionals
deeply engaged in conformity assessment. This board will help guide the journal’s direction and contribute to the development of future content. We take this opportunity to thank those who served on
the IJCA boards for earlier volumes.
This issue reflects the dedication of the editorial team and the contributions of the authors to this
special issue on Artificial Intelligence. This theme has been on my mind for the past 18 months, ever
since a senior executive at a global conference publicly declared, “AI is an existential threat to the
conformity assessment world.” That statement reflected both anxiety and practical concern about the
future of the field. While IJCA does not claim to hold definitive answers, we hope to foster a conversation—perhaps a metaphorical pebble tossed into the still waters of conformity assessment—whose
ripples may reach you as well.
Raj Nathan
President, IAS
June 2025
