ASCB, IRQAO and GAF

Recognised Worldwide (IAF and ILAC), Regional (e.g. EA) and National (e.g. UKAS) Accreditation Organisations

The following two membership organisations administer a recognised worldwide structure of accreditation and certification.

IAF [International Accreditation Forum] - https://www.iaf.nu

ILAC [International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation] - https://ilac.org

These organisations have two types of members, Regional Accreditation Groups and national Accreditation Bodies.

The following organisation is a Regional Accreditation Group, and a member of IAF and ILAC.

EA [European Co-operation for Accreditation] - https://european-accreditation.org

The European Union has designated it as solely responsible for implementation of Regulation (EC) 765/2008, which governs accreditation of products in the European Economic Area (EEA).

EU Regulation (EC) 765/2008 - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:218:0030:0047:en:PDF

The following organisation is a national Accreditation Body, and a member of IAF, ILAC and EA.

UKAS [United Kingdom Accreditation Service] - https://www.ukas.com

The United Kingdom Government has designated UKAS as solely responsible for implementation of the Accreditation Regulations 2009, which govern accreditation of services in the United Kingdom. It operates in accordance with the Accreditation Policy of the UK Government and also a Memorandum of Understanding between UKAS and the UK Government.

The Accreditation Regulations 2009 - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/3155/pdfs/uksi_20093155_en.pdf

Policy - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/949132/conformity-assessment-and-accreditation-policy-in-the-uk.pdf

Memorandum of Understanding - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/958775/mou-beis-ukas-2021.pdf

IMPORTANT

The organisations ASCB, IRQAO and GAF detailed below do not operate as part of the accreditation and certification structure administered by the organisations detailed above.

Certifications awarded by Conformity Assessment Bodies accredited by ASCB are not recognised as equivalent to certifications awarded by Conformity Assessment Bodies accredited by Accreditation Bodies such as UKAS or other members of the IAF. They are also not recognised as conformant with regulations such as Regulation (EC) 765/2008 of the EU and the Accreditation Regulations 2009 of the UK.

ASCB, IRQAO and GAF - Role of each organisation

The following body offers accreditation to Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) to certify to management system and other standards.

ASCB [Accreditation Service For Certifiying Bodies (Europe) Limited] - https://www.ascb.com

The following CAB is one example.

QMS International - https://www.qmsuk.com

The following organisation maintains a searchable register of certificates issued by ASCB accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs).

IRQAO [International Register of Quality Assessed Organisations] - https://www.irqao.com

The ASCB is a member of the following organisation.

GAF [Global Accreditation Forum] - http://www.global-accreditation.org

ASCB, IRQAO and GAF - Registered companies in England and Wales

These three organisations are all companies registered in England and Wales. The details are as follows.

ASCB - Company 03132143 - https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03132143