Accreditation
WHAT IS ACCREDITATION?
“Accreditation refers to third-party attestation related to a conformity assessment body conveying formal demonstration of its competence to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks”
Accreditation as defined in ISO/IEC 17011 Accreditation means the formal recognition of the technical and organizational competence of an authority to execute a specific service as described in the scope of accreditation. Competence is the key to transparency, confidence and comparability.
Accreditation is a confidence-building measure, which allows authorities, economy and society to judge, if testing, inspection or certification bodies (conformity assessment bodies) fulfil specific tasks with the demanded high reliability.
Accreditation by UGAC is in accordance to the international conformity assessment standards established by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).
Who can be Accredited?
UGAC accreditation activities
United Global Accreditation Council (UGAC) provides accreditations to conformity assessment bodies (CAB). These bodies consist of laboratories, certification and inspection bodies, providers of proficiency tests and reference material producers.
A CAB may be accredited by United Global Accreditation Council if it meets the requirements of the corresponding international standards.
| TYPE | Certification |
|---|---|
| Laboratories |
Testing and Calibration Laboratories
ISO/IEC 17025 Medical Laboratories ISO 15189 |
| Inspection Bodies | ISO/IEC 17020 |
| Validation & Verification Bodies | ISO 14065 |
| Providers of Proficiency Tests | ISO/IEC 17043 |
| Producers of Reference Materials | ISO Guide 34 |
| Certification Bodies |
for Person - ISO/IEC 17024 for Management Systems - ISO/IEC 17021 for Products - ISO/IEC 17065 (or EN 45011) |
During the course of the preceding actions we would have expected to conduct several face to face meetings and visits to your operating premises.
- Issue of accreditation certificate if appropriate.
- You continue to assess and certificate but don’t need to send paperwork.
- We will monitor the level of your activity and conduct accreditation reviews to suit.
- You must inform us of all certification activity.
- Ongoing surveillance and accreditation including allocation of accreditation numbers
How to become Accredited?
United Global Accreditation Council (UGAC) accepts applications for accreditation from “Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) and Further Education & Training Institutions around the world.
The application process for the United Global Accreditation Council (UGAC) accreditation is as follows:
- Applicant to download Accreditation Scheme Manual and the Application Pack
- Applicant reads and understands United Global Accreditation Council (UGAC)’s Accreditation Scheme Manual especially the Requirements for Granting and Maintaining Accreditation and the current fee structure
- Applicant makes sure that they comply with the relevant requirements of ISO/ IEC 17021:2006 and other accreditation requirements such as “Responsible Education Provider”™ as specified by United Global Accreditation Council (UGAC) in their Accreditation Scheme Manual and that they have essential resources to undertake activities throughout the scope requested and will pay all fees to United Global Accreditation Council (UGAC), whether or not accreditation is granted.
- Applicant CAB completes and returns their application, including relevant documentation demanded within the application form, along with payment to Accreditation Commission For Conformity Assessment Bodies Private Limited
- Upon receipt of the Application Forms and Requisite Fees, United Global Accreditation Council (UGAC) reviews the application documents against the relevant accreditation criteria and provides a report to the applicant. The next stage of assessment will not progress until the documented systems meet necessities.
- Applicant CAB makes all necessary arrangements for conducting the office and witness assessment including access to all areas, records and personnel.
- United Global Accreditation Council (UGAC) selects an assessment team who undertake an on-site assessment at the applicant’s offices and other locations as appropriate. At the completion of the assessments the assessment team writes a report of their findings along with recommendations to the Accreditation Approval Committee (AAC).
- The AAC reviews the report and makes a decision regarding accreditation.
- If accreditation is approved a Certificate of Accreditation is allotted to the applicant on signing the Accreditation Agreement.
- If accreditation is not approved, the applicant is advised of the reasons for the decision. A further application may be considered at a later date.
- Once an applicant is accredited consistent visits are made to assess the Accredited Organization’s ongoing compliance with the accreditation criteria.
A complete reassessment takes place each three years.
Benefits of Accreditation
Using UGAC accredited CABs offers multiple benefits for companies. Besides providing a marketing opportunity, it also boosts the company’s image – having been tried and certified by reliable CABs, the company’s products and services are endorsed with the highest assurance. This, in turn, instils confidence in the company’s customers and stakeholders alike.
UGAC’s extensive network of CABs across the world provide international recognition, so companies can also avoid costly retesting, re-inspection or recertification for overseas market access.
Accredited Bodies
| CAB NAME | ACCREDITATION STANDARD | SCHEME | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUREAU SYSTEM AND INSPECTION SERVICES |
ISO 17020:2012 ISO 17065:2012 |
CE Marking, RoHS, Electronic & Electrical Testing. | NIGERIA, AFRICA |
| ALLIED QUALITY STANDARDS CERTIFICATION |
ISO 17021-1 / -2 / -3, ISO 22003, ISO 27006, ISO 17020, 17065, 17024 |
Management System Certification, Product Certification, Inspection, Training, Testing | DENVER, USA |
| ASOUL LABS | ISO 17020:2012 | Electronic & Electrical Testing. | NEW DELHI, INDIA |