Who Accredits Certification Bodies? The Role of EIAC, IAS, and UKAS
When businesses apply for ISO certification, they often deal with a certification body that audits their system. However, few realize that these certification bodies must also be checked and approved by another authority known as an accreditation body. Accreditation ensures that the certification body itself is competent, impartial, and operates according to international standards.
This article explains who accredits certification bodies and the important roles played by EIAC, IAS, and UKAS in maintaining trust and global recognition in the ISO certification world.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is the formal recognition that a certification body is technically competent and operates impartially according to international standards, particularly ISO/IEC 17021-1.
In simple terms:
- Certification means confirming that a company meets ISO standards.
- Accreditation means confirming that the certification body is qualified to conduct such assessments.
Who Accredits Certification Bodies?
Certification bodies are accredited by national or international accreditation authorities that follow the ISO/IEC 17011 guidelines. These authorities are usually members of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), which ensures that accredited certificates are recognized worldwide.
Let’s explore three of the most respected accreditation bodies: EIAC, UKAS, and IAS.
EIAC – Emirates International Accreditation Centre
The Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC) is the national accreditation body of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It operates under Law No. 27 of 2015, providing accreditation to certification, testing, and inspection bodies in line with international standards.
EIAC’s primary responsibilities include:
- Accrediting certification bodies for ISO management systems, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.
- Accrediting testing and calibration laboratories.
- Accrediting Halal certification bodies and inspection agencies.
EIAC accreditation signifies compliance with the Gulf and international standards and is recognized through the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA). This allows certificates issued under EIAC-accredited bodies to be accepted globally.
UKAS – United Kingdom Accreditation Service
The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the only national accreditation body recognized by the UK Government. It assesses organizations that provide certification, testing, calibration, and inspection services.
UKAS ensures that:
- Certification bodies operate impartially and consistently.
- Audit results are credible and transparent.
- Certificates are internationally accepted and recognized.
UKAS plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of ISO certifications, particularly for global trade. Many companies prefer working with UKAS-accredited certificates because of their strong reputation for reliability and compliance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 standards.
IAS – International Accreditation Service
The International Accreditation Service (IAS) is a globally recognized accreditation body headquartered in the United States. It operates in various countries and provides accreditation to certification, inspection, and testing bodies.
IAS is a signatory to the IAF MLA, ensuring that its accreditations are internationally recognized. It supports certification to standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 22000, and ISO 22716 (GMP).
IAS accreditation ensures that certification bodies:
- Follow international procedures and maintain impartiality.
- Employ qualified auditors and technical experts.
- Provide reliable certifications recognized worldwide.
Why Accreditation Matters?
Accreditation adds a higher level of confidence to ISO certification. It demonstrates that the certification body has been independently verified for competence and reliability.
Key benefits include:
- Global Acceptance: Accredited certificates are recognized by regulators, governments, and clients worldwide.
- Trust and Credibility: Accreditation guarantees impartiality and technical competence.
- Regulatory Confidence: Many government tenders and contracts accept only accredited ISO certificates.
- Consistency and Quality: Accredited certification bodies are regularly monitored to maintain performance.
How to Verify Accreditation?
Before choosing a certification body, it’s essential to verify whether it is accredited. Here’s how you can check:
- Visit the official website of accreditation bodies such as EIAC, UKAS, or IAS.
- Look for their list of accredited certification bodies.
- Confirm that your chosen certification body appears in their directory and check its accreditation scope.
- Make sure the accreditation body is part of the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA).
Verification ensures that your ISO certificate will be accepted locally and internationally.
In summary, Accreditation is the backbone of the ISO certification system. While certification demonstrates that a company meets specific standards, accreditation ensures that the certification body is qualified to issue that certificate.
Whether it’s EIAC in the UAE, UKAS in the UK, or IAS in the USA, these accreditation bodies safeguard quality, impartiality, and global recognition. Choosing a certification body accredited by one of them ensures that your ISO certificate is credible, respected, and internationally valid.
FAQs
What is the difference between accreditation and certification?
Certification is the process by which a company is evaluated and approved for compliance with ISO standards. Accreditation is the process of approving certification bodies that carry out these audits, ensuring they are competent and impartial.
Why is accreditation important for certification bodies?
Accreditation ensures that certification bodies meet international standards and are technically competent. It provides credibility and global acceptance for the certificates they issue.
How can I verify if a certification body is accredited?
You can visit the official websites of EIAC, UKAS, or IAS to check if the certification body is listed under their accredited organizations.
What happens if a certification body is not accredited?
Certificates issued by non-accredited certification bodies may not be accepted by regulators, clients, or international partners, reducing their reliability and business value.
Are EIAC, IAS, and UKAS recognized globally?
Yes. EIAC, IAS, and UKAS are signatories of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) Multilateral Recognition Arrangement, which means that certificates issued under their accreditation are recognized and accepted globally.
