Why should a certification body be accredited by a signatory to the International Accreditation Forum Multilateral Cooperative Arrangements?
Accreditation bodies that have signed the IAF MLA work together to harmonize their activities. This helps create confidence between certified organizations and the clients they supply. IAF members cooperate to ensure that accredited certificates are recognized nationally and internationally, thus enhancing confidence and reducing risk for customers engaging in trade worldwide. IAF MLA signatories are required to comply strictly with the international standards and guides relevant to their operations. They also comply with guidance issued by IAF on the application of those standards or guides. And IAF MLA signatories undergo regular surveillance of their accreditation activities by IAF peer evaluation teams to ensure that their activities continue to meet IAF standards. IAF also requires that accreditation bodies have effective procedures in place to ensure that all complaints received are thoroughly investigated and effective corrective action is taken as appropriate. Accreditation bod
