
IAF MLA . Multilateral Recognition AGREEMENT
The accreditation body and members of the IAF Regional Accreditation Team may participate in the IAF MLA only after the peer review team has carried out the most rigorous assessment of their performance to ensure that the member registered in full compliance with both international standards and IAF requirements. Once an accreditation body is a member of the IAF MLA, it shall acknowledge, to the extent appropriate, certificates issued by conformity assessment bodies recognized by all other signatories of the IAF MLA.
The IAF MLA consists of five levels, where levels 2 and 3 are the main ranges and levels 4 and 5 are the sub ranges.
The IAF MLA is largely based on the MLAs of accredited Regional Accreditation Groups such as the European Association for Accreditation (EA), the Asia Pacific Accreditation Association (APAC) and the Inter-American Accreditation Association. (IAAC), because it is these groups that do most of the peer assessment, not the IAF.
To give credit to the work of accredited Regional Accreditation Groups, the IAF evaluates and accepts the process and results of their MLA against key areas such as ISO/IEC 17021-1 (Management systems ) and ISO/IEC 17065 (Products) and related sub-scopes.
Accredited Regional Accreditation Teams are reviewed by the IAF every four years. Membership of an IAF MLA is recognized as having satisfied membership of any MLA of the Accredited Regional Accreditation Group, in the recognized sub-categories.
The IAF is encouraging more accreditation bodies and Regional Accreditation Team members to join the MLA once they have passed a rigorous review process to ensure that their accreditation programs meet the standards. international. As a result of participation in the IAF MLA, conformity assessment certificates issued in sub-fields of the IAF MLA by conformity assessment bodies recognized by the IAF MLA signatory body will be recognized within the IAF MLA. IAF programs worldwide.
Purpose of the MLA
The purpose of the IAF Multilateral Accreditation Agreement (MLA) is to ensure mutual recognition of accredited certification among MLA signatories and subsequent acceptance of accredited certification in multiple markets. based on a recognition.
Accreditation certificates issued by IAF MLA signatories are recognized worldwide based on their equivalent accreditation schemes, thereby reducing costs and adding value to businesses and consumers .
IAF accreditation body members are only allowed to participate in the MLA after being rigorously assessed by a peer review team of their performance.
With strategic goals in mind, the IAF is committed to enhancing the transparency of the peer review process and its outcomes. The IAF and accreditation body members need to invest considerable effort and resources to maintain the integrity and consistency of the MLA through the peer review process.