An update from IAAC
by IAAC Secretariat
IAAC ACHIEVED INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR EMS AND PRODUCT
In May 2011, IAAC achieved a very important milestone as a Regional Cooperation; it was accepted as a signatory of the IAF MLA for the sub-scope of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) based on ISO/IEC 17021, and for the main scope of Product Certification based on ISO/IEC Guide 65. IAAC is also a signatory of the ILAC MRA for the scopes of Testing and Calibration Laboratories and a signatory of the IAF MLA for the sub-scope of Quality Management Systems (QMS) Certification Bodies.
IAAC MLA MEMBERS
The IAAC MLA Group currently has a total of 18 signatory members under the following scopes (besides the scopes for laboratories):
Quality Management Systems Certification Bodies (10)
Argentina - OAA
Brazil - Cgcre
Canada - SCC
Costa Rica - ECA
Chile - INN
Ecuador - OAE
Mexico - ema
Peru - INDECOPI/SNA
USA - ANAB
Uruguay - OUA
Environmental Management Systems Certification Bodies (7)
Argentina - OAA
Brazil - Cgcre
Canada - SCC
Chile - INN
Mexico - ema
USA - ANAB
Uruguay - OUA
Product Certification Bodies (8)
Argentina - OAA
Brazil - Cgcre
Canada - SCC
Costa Rica - ECA
Ecuador - OAE
Mexico - ema
Paraguay - ONA
USA - A2LA
Extension of the IAAC MLA
In August 2010, the IAAC General Assembly agreed to extend the MLA to include the scope of Persons Certification Bodies according to the ISO/IEC 17024 standard. The MLA Committee and Certification Bodies Subcommittee have already started with the implementation plans for this scope.
During the General Assembly meeting held in August 2011, it was decided that IAAC shall extend the MLA scopes to include the following fields:
•Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), according to ISO/IEC 17021, ISO 22003, and ISO 22000 at level 5.
•Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), according to ISO/IEC 17021, ISO 27006 and ISO 27001 at level 5.
•Green House Gas Emissions, according to all of the relevant standards
The following IAAC members have been accepted as signatories to the IAAC MLA, as of August 21, 2011:
•OAE of Ecuador was accepted as a signatory to the IAAC MLA for the scopes of Testing and Calibration Laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025); Quality Management Systems (ISO/IEC 17021); Product Certification Bodies (ISO/IEC Guide 65); and Inspection Bodies (ISO/IEC 17020).
•ONA of Paraguay was accepted as a signatory to the IAAC MLA for the scopes of Testing Laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025); Product Certification Bodies (ISO/IEC Guide 65); and Inspection Bodies (ISO/IEC 17020).
•ECA of Costa Rica was accepted as a signatory to the IAAC MLA for the scope of Product Certification Bodies (ISO/IEC Guide 65); and Inspection Bodies (ISO/IEC 17020).
•ema of Mexico was accepted as a signatory to the IAAC MLA for the scope of Inspection Bodies (ISO/IEC 17020), as of August 2010, however the MLA certificate was signed in August 2011, since a minimum of 3 signatories was needed to launch this scope.
•A2LA of United States was accepted as a signatory to the IAAC MLA for the scope of Inspection Bodies (ISO/IEC 17020), as of August 2010, however the MLA certificate was signed in August 2011, since a minimum of 3 signatories was needed to launch this scope.
•Cgcre of Brazil has been an IAAC MLA signatory for the scope of Testing Labs since 2002, and now Cgcre was accepted as a signatory to the IAAC MLA for the scope of Testing Laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025 which also includes Medical/Clinical Laboratories under ISO 15189), as of August 21st, 2011.
•ECA of Costa Rica, as an MLA signatory for the scope of Quality Management Systems Certification Bodies, in January 2011.
•OUA of Uruguay, as an MLA signatory for the scopes of Environmental Management Systems and Quality Management Systems Certification Bodies, in January 2011.
IAAC MEMBERSHIP
IAAC currently has a total of 42 members from 23 countries in the Americas. 23 are full members, 7 are associate members and 12 are stakeholders.
ABROC, the Brazilian Association of Certification Bodies, was accepted as an IAAC Stakeholder member as of April 2011.
TRAINING
IAAC carried out the following training activities:
•Workshop on “Experience Exchange on Best Practices in Accreditation”, sponsored by Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) of Germany, was held in Quito, Ecuador from August 19-20, 2011.
•Workshop on the “Development and operation of Proficiency Testing schemes”, sponsored by PTB of Germany, was held in Bogota, Colombia from August 16-18, 2011.
•Workshop on the implementation of ISO/IEC 17021, sponsored by the OAS, was held in Mexico City in June 14-15, 2011.
•Peer evaluator training workshop for new peer evaluators was held in Lima, Peru, on April 13-15, 2011. 30 peer evaluators from the Region were trained, and one representative from the APLAC Region.
•Peer evaluator training workshop for experienced peer evaluators was held in Washington, D.C., USA, on February 22, 2011. Twenty four peer evaluators were trained.
TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROJECTS
OAS Project
This year IAAC has finalized a four year technical cooperation project sponsored by the Organization of American States, (OAS), for accreditation bodies in developing countries in the Americas. The last year of the project included funding to carry out the following activities: 2 Witnessing of IAAC peer evaluations; 4 peer evaluations of ABs; Training for 4 peer evaluators; 4 technical training courses; 3 consultancies for developing AB’s; 3 internships for staff of developing ABs; 1 regional seminar on accreditation; 2 national seminar programs on accreditation; and 2 proficiency testing programs
PTB Projects
IAAC is currently implementing a technical cooperation project sponsored by the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, (PTB), of Germany which includes workshops on Good Practices in Accreditation Proficiency Testing activities, and support to carry out the international evaluations of IAAC and witnessing of IAAC evaluations.
IAAC is currently developing a new project together with PTB; the Inter-American Metrology System, (SIM); and the Pan American Standards Commission, (COPANT), for developing quality infrastructure in the Americas with a focus on energy efficiency and renewable energies. A survey was distributed to identify the needs of the region and representatives from the organizations attended a workshop to draft the project objectives and plan of actions, which was held in Petropolis, Brazil, in May 2011.
IAAC MEETINGS
•IAAC meetings will be held on March 7-9, 2012, in Santiago, Chile.
•The 17th IAAC General Assembly meetings will be held in Cartagena, Colombia, from August 11-17, 2012. The meetings will be hosted by ONAC.
IAAC INFORMATION AND PUBLICATIONS
Information on IAAC members and IAAC documents is available at the IAAC website: www.iaac.org.mx
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