International Forum for Accreditation
International Forum for Accreditation (IFA) is an international organisation concerned with accreditation, conformity assessment, standardisation and cooperation among organisations involved in these fields.[1]
IFA develops frameworks and arrangements relating to accreditation and conformity assessment and provides a platform for cooperation among participating organisations.
Activities
IFA's activities concern international cooperation in accreditation and conformity assessment.
The organisation's stated areas of activity include conformity assessment relating to:
- products;
- services;
- organisations;
- management systems; and
- other areas covered by applicable conformity assessment requirements.[2]
IFA also develops policies, procedures and frameworks concerning cooperation, recognition, governance, technical activities and membership.
Recognition and Cooperation Arrangement
IFA uses the term Recognition and Cooperation Arrangement (RCA) for its framework for cooperation and recognition among participating organisations.[3]
The RCA provides a framework through which participating organisations can cooperate and establish recognition arrangements in defined areas of accreditation and conformity assessment.
The RCA is an IFA framework and is separate from recognition arrangements established by other international organisations.
Participation in an RCA does not itself constitute accreditation of a conformity assessment body. Accreditation is performed by an accreditation body against applicable requirements.
Organisational structure
IFA's organisational framework includes governance, membership, technical and administrative functions.
The organisation provides for cooperation among organisations involved in accreditation and conformity assessment and maintains arrangements relating to governance, technical activities, membership and recognition.[4]
IFA also provides for regional cooperation within its organisational framework.
Conformity assessment
Conformity assessment comprises activities used to determine whether specified requirements relating to a product, process, service, system, person or organisation have been fulfilled.
Activities within the conformity assessment infrastructure can include testing, inspection, certification, validation, verification and accreditation.[5]
Accreditation is distinct from conformity assessment activities performed by conformity assessment bodies. Accreditation bodies assess conformity assessment bodies against applicable requirements.
IFA operates within this broader international accreditation and conformity assessment environment.
International standards
International conformity assessment activities are supported by standards and guidance developed by organisations including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the ISO Committee on Conformity Assessment (CASCO).
ISO/CASCO develops standards and guidance concerning conformity assessment and related activities.[6]
IFA's activities concern cooperation and arrangements within this broader standards and conformity assessment environment.
Relationship with the International Accreditation Forum
IFA is a separate organisation from the former International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
The two organisations operated or operate in related areas of accreditation and conformity assessment, but they are separate organisations with their own organisational structures and frameworks.
The former IAF operated an international recognition framework known as the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA).[7]
IFA's Recognition and Cooperation Arrangement (RCA) is a separate framework established by IFA.
IFA does not describe itself as a branch, subsidiary or successor of IAF.
No formal organisational relationship between IFA and the former IAF is established by the sources cited in this article.
International Accreditation Forum
The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) was an international association concerned with accreditation and conformity assessment.
Historically, IAF operated the IAF MLA and developed international policies and requirements relating to conformity assessment activities.[8]
The former IAF website states that IAF ceased operations on 1 January 2026 and that its website is retained as a legacy resource.[9]
The cessation of IAF operations does not establish an organisational relationship between IFA and IAF.
Governance and policies
IFA maintains organisational documents and policies concerning governance, technical activities, membership, administration, quality management and cooperation.
Its governance framework addresses the functions and responsibilities of the organisation and its participating bodies.[10]
The organisation also publishes information concerning its roles, benefits, conduct and cooperation arrangements.[11]
See also
- Accreditation
- Conformity assessment
- International Organization for Standardization
- ISO Committee on Conformity Assessment
- International Accreditation Forum
External links
References
- ↑ "International Forum for Accreditation". International Forum for Accreditation. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "International Forum for Accreditation". International Forum for Accreditation. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "Recognition and Cooperation Arrangement". International Forum for Accreditation. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "IFA Structure". International Forum for Accreditation. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "Recognition of Conformity Assessment Bodies". ISO Committee on Conformity Assessment. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "ISO/CASCO". International Organization for Standardization. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement". International Accreditation Forum. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "About IAF". International Accreditation Forum. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "About IAF". International Accreditation Forum. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "IFA Structure". International Forum for Accreditation. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "IFA Roles and Benefits". International Forum for Accreditation. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
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