INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION FORUM (IAF)
IAF has a primary purpose of ensuring that accreditation body members only accredit certification bodies that have demonstrated competence in their work and do not show evidence of conflict of interest.
In addition, through mutual recognition arrangements (MLA), the IAF works to allow organizations certified in one region of the world to have certificates that are recognized globally, eliminating the need for accreditations in each region in which they sell products or services.
IAF publishes Mandatory Documents that are required to be used by accreditation bodies when accrediting certification/registration bodies to assure that they operate their programs in a consistent and equivalent manner. IAF Mandatory documents are not intended to establish, interpret, subtract from or add to the requirements of any ISO/IEC Guide or Standard, but simply to assure consistent application of those Guides or Standards.
IAAR is an Association Member to the IAF and actively participates in various discussions to further enhance the value of accredited conformity assessment (accredited certifications). As such, IAAR is a voting member of all IAF General Assembly and Technical Committee resolutions. As a member of IAAR, each CB has an opportunity to review draft IAF publications and provide comments for submittal by our representative to the IAF as well as provide input regarding IAAR vote. Several CB representatives participate in various IAF Task Forces and committees providing us a voice in future IAF publications and resolutions.
Further information about the IAF including copies of all published IAF Mandatory Documents are available here: