Action required
IAF MD 25:2023 Criteria for Evaluation of Conformity Assessment Schemes (PDF) is a new mandatory document issued by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) for all accreditation bodies that are a signatory to the IAF.
New procedures by an accreditation body (AB) may impact PAC's customers and other stakeholders as outlined below. First issued in January 2022, the application of this new mandatory document (MD) began on January 7, 2024
Affected customers
This mandatory document applies to the following accreditation programs that PAC currently operates:
# Certification of Management Systems Accreditation Program (MSAP)
# Certification of Product, Process and Services Accreditation Program (CBAP)
# Certification of Persons Accreditation Program (CPAP)
# Validation and Verification Body Accreditation Program (VVBAP)
Within these accreditation programs, the IAF MD applies to both accredited and applicant organizations, as well as current and future conformity assessment schemes and scheme owners (SO).
Additionally, there are schemes to which the MD does not apply:
# schemes included or invoked by legislation/regulation
# schemes that are developed by national, regional or international standardization bodies
# schemes within IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) or ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) sub-scopes whereby the scheme owner is a signatory of a Memorandum of Understanding. (Note: Criteria for the inclusion of a conformity assessment scheme into the IAF MLA can be found in IAF PL3).
Background
As an international signatory under the IAF MLA, PAC is required to meet all requirements and/or international obligations prescribed by IAF. Mandatory documents are issued by IAF to ensure that accreditation bodies operate their accreditation programs in a consistent and equivalent manner.
IAF MD 25 is such a document, and it contains the minimum requirements for conformity assessment schemes to be applied by IAF member accreditation bodies, including PAC, when evaluating national, regional or international conformity assessment schemes to ensure they meet the requirements specified in ISO/IEC 17011, clause 4.6.3: "the AB shall have a policy and documented procedures to determine the suitability of the conformity assessment schemes and standards for accreditation purposes."
- In compliance with requirements in IAF MD 25, PAC has examined the schemes it is operating within its accreditation programs to determine which ones are applicable and is establishing a new process of evaluation.
The new requirements are detailed in IAF MD 25:2023 Criteria for Evaluation of Conformity Assessment Schemes (PDF).
PAC is adopting a "going forward" approach for customers and applicants, which entails reviewing new and updated schemes developed by certification bodies.
PAC will not retroactively be assessing schemes unless they undergo revisions. Customers shall request a scope extension via their account managers when a new scheme is developed, and they shall notify their account managers when their scheme(s) is revised (new version).
Deadline
IAF MD 25:2023 came into effect on January 7, 2024.
Questions?
Please contact FawzyMerzik Fahim, Director, Accreditation Services, fawzy@pacofusa.com for more information.