About ILAC

The International Laboratory Accreditation Association operates based on the ISO/IEC 17011 standard and performs accreditation for testing and calibration laboratories according to ISO/IEC 17025, medical laboratories according to ISO 15189 and organizations inspected according to ISO/IEC 17020.

Accreditation is the independent assessment of conformity assessment bodies against recognized standards to conduct specific activities to ensure fairness and competence. Through the application of national and international standards, governments, monitoring parties and consumers can have confidence in the test and calibration results, inspection and certification results provided.

Accreditation bodies are established in each country for the purpose of monitoring the competence of conformity assessment bodies. Accreditation bodies are assessed based on peer assessments when entering into mutual recognition agreements between regional and international accreditation bodies to demonstrate their competence. Accreditation bodies will carry out assessment and accreditation for conformity assessment bodies based on relevant standards.

The agreements support the provision of services such as the provision of safe food and clean drinking water, the provision of energy, the provision of health and social services, or the maintenance of an unpolluted environment. In addition, such agreements also enhance the acceptance of transnational products and services, thereby creating a framework that supports international trade through the removal of technical barriers.