The IAF International Accreditation Forum describes itself as “the world association of Conformity Assessment Accreditation Bodies and other bodies interested in conformity assessment in the fields of management systems, products, services, personnel and other similar programmes of conformity assessment. Its primary function is to develop a single worldwide program of conformity assessment which reduces risk for business and its customers by assuring them that accredited certificates may be relied upon. Accreditation assures users of the competence and impartiality of the body accredited".
The primary purpose of IAF is two-fold: firstly, to ensure that its accreditation body members only accredit bodies that are competent to do the work they undertake and are not subject to conflicts of interest. The second purpose of the IAF is to establish mutual recognition arrangements, known as Multilateral Recognition Arrangements (MLA), between its accreditation body members which reduces risk to business and its customers by ensuring that an accredited certificate may be relied upon anywhere in the world.
The IAF is the sole international accreditation body administrative organisation, their roll is to ensure national accreditation bodies such as UKAS – United Kingdom Accreditation Services and ANAB – American National Accreditation Board provide a consistent service and level of due diligence internationally, because of this we can be confident that a certificate baring the mark of UKAS in one country is directly equivalent to a ANAB certificate elsewhere. The IAF logo will appear on some of our certificates to assure spectators further afield that may be unfamiliar with the UKAS mark or other, that the certificate holds value internationally and not just within the country of origin.
If you'd like to find out more about that IAF you can visit their website: https://www.iaf.nu/ , there you can access many interesting resources and articles relating to the world of international accreditation and certification.