Each year the IAF (the world association of Conformity Assessment Accreditation Bodies) holds World Accreditation Day to promote the value of accreditation, accredited conformity assessment, and ISO standards.
This year the World Accreditation Day 2019 was held on the 9th of June and the theme was – how accreditation adds value to supply chains and procurement activities.
The age of global supply chains has meant goods of all types are sourced from around the world through highly complex interactions. This network of interactions has ramification on the ability of the supply chain to deliver:
As innovation accelerates and the lifecycle of products shortens pressure is increased on supply chains and this is where a supply chain framework such as ISO 28000 and ISO 9001 play a huge role.
How can accreditation and certification help?
Management system frameworks such as ISO 28000 and ISO 9001 play an important role in reducing the cost of trade and doing business. Certification to these standards by an accredited Certification body ensures impartiality, competence, consistency of conformity assessment. This provides confidence in supply chain management and reduces barriers to free trade through the assurance of testing, inspections, and certifications.
The quality, authenticity and traceability of materials throughout the supply chain requires:
trustworthy information – businesses need to manage their data security
sustainable suppliers with ethical practices
testing and certifications
Summary
Creates a global infrastructure that supports free trade, regulatory approval and confidence in the supply chain. This ensures a consistent approach to certification across the globe which is accepted everywhere.
