IJCA Vol 4 i1 2025 webmag - Flipbook - Page 46
46 The International Journal of Conformity Assessment
irregularities and compensate for environmental
factors to ensure reliable analysis (source: arxiv.org).
• AI in Industrial Computed Tomography (CT): In
industrial settings, AI enhances CT scanning by
producing high-resolution internal and external 3D
representations of scanned objects. This technology
supports 昀氀aw detection, failure analysis, and reverse
engineering through precise, non-destructive
evaluation (source: en.wikipedia.org).
These AI applications are reshaping traditional
measurement practices across industries by offering
greater precision, speed, and predictive power in
metrological processes.
Appendix C. Global Conformity Assessment
Organizations
International Accreditation Forum (IAF)
• Established: 1993
• Headquarters: United States
• Role: Oversees the global accreditation of conformity
assessment bodies (CABs) for product certi昀椀cation,
management systems, and personnel certi昀椀cation.
• Website: www.iaf.nu
World Trade Organization (WTO) – Technical Barriers
to Trade (TBT) Agreement
• Established: 1995
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Role: Ensures that conformity assessment procedures do
not create unnecessary trade barriers, supporting mutual
recognition agreements (MRAs) for certi昀椀cation and
testing results.
• Website: www.wto.org
Regional Organizations
This appendix provides an overview of key
international, regional, and national organizations
involved in conformity assessment and accreditation.
These bodies help ensure consistency, mutual
recognition, and trust in certi昀椀cation, inspection, and
testing results across industries and borders.
European Co-operation for Accreditation (EA)
• Region: Europe
• Role: Manages accreditation in EU countries under the
ISO/IEC 17000 series, supporting harmonized conformity
assessment.
• Website: www.european-accreditation.org
International Organizations
Asia Paci昀椀c Accreditation Cooperation (APAC)
• Region: Asia-Paci昀椀c
• Role: Ensures regional recognition of testing, inspection,
and certi昀椀cation bodies through the Asia-Paci昀椀c
Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC).
• Website: www.apac-accreditation.org
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• Established: 1947
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Role: Develops voluntary, consensus-based international
standards for conformity assessment, including ISO/
IEC 17000 series, which de昀椀nes the principles of
certi昀椀cation, testing, and inspection.
• Website: www.iso.org
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
• Established: 1906
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Role: Develops conformity assessment schemes for
electrical, electronic, and related technologies, including
IECEx (Explosive Atmospheres), IECQ (Quality), and
IECEE (Electronics & Electrical Equipment Testing).
• Website: www.iec.ch
African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC)
• Region: Africa
• Role: Promotes regional harmonization of conformity
assessment practices, particularly in ISO/IEC 17025
testing and calibration laboratories.
• Website: www.intra-afrac.com
Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC)
• Region: Americas
• Role: Strengthens accreditation systems in North
and South America by ensuring mutual recognition
of certi昀椀cation bodies in ISO/IEC 17065 (Product
Certi昀椀cation) and ISO/IEC 17021 (Management
Systems).
• Website: www.iaac.org.mx
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation
(ILAC)
• Established: 1977
• Headquarters: Sydney, Australia
Gulf Cooperation Council Accreditation Center (GAC)
• Role: Oversees international mutual recognition of
• Region: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries
testing and calibration laboratory accreditations,
• Role: Manages the accreditation of conformity
ensuring that test reports and certi昀椀cates are recognized
assessment bodies for ISO/IEC 17020 (Inspection) and
globally.
ISO/IEC 17065 (Product Certi昀椀cation) in the GCC region.
• Website: www.ilac.org
• Website: www.gac.org.sa
