International Cooperation

IAF GD 5 Guidance on the application of ISO/IEC Guide 65
A key role for JAS-ANZ is establishing international arrangements with other countries to accept one another’s certificates and inspection reports and so removing a technical barrier to trade.

JAS-ANZ is an active member of the key accreditation organisations including the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), the Multilateral Cooperative Accreditation Arrangement (MCAA), the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC), and the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC).

A focus of these organisations are agreements, often referred to as Multilateral Recognition Agreements (MLAs) or multilateral Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRAs), that signatories will recognise one another’s accredited certificates and inspection reports. The benefit of this recognition is that it reduces the potential for re-certification or re-inspection when products and services move from one country to another.

PAC

JAS-ANZ is a founding member of PAC and a signatory to the PAC MLAs for quality management systems, environmental management systems, and product. More information on PAC is available here.

APLAC

JAS-ANZ became a member of APLAC in 2005 and is also a signatory to the APLAC MRA. More information on APLAC is available here.