Product Certification Agencies Program
The International Accreditation Service (IAS) has introduced a new program that accredits Product Certification Agencies under ISO/IEC Guide 65, General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems.
The IAS accreditation demonstrates that the certification agencies’ services, including testing, inspection, product surveillance and product labeling, have been properly evaluated and are under a program of continual monitoring by an internationally recognized accreditation body.
In addition to offering accreditation as a product certification agency, the new IAS program enables agencies to attain accreditation as a testing laboratory and inspection agency, with only one audit. “Because our program requires fewer audits, it means lower costs, less downtime and less disruption to internal operations,” said Bruce DeMaine, the IAS Program Manager.
Product manufacturers are facing increased demand for impartial verification that their products are certified to be safe and to meet industry standards. If the products are to be readily accepted, the verification must be by certification agencies that are trusted and widely recognized. IAS accreditation provides the credentials that ensure an agency’s certification marks will have full acceptance in the marketplace and by governmental agencies that regulate product acceptance.
The International Accreditation Service (IAS), a subsidiary of the International Code Council, assesses and accredits competent product certification agencies, testing and calibration laboratories, special inspection agencies, building departments, inspection agencies, field evaluation bodies, and fabricator inspection programs. In operation since 1975, IAS is one of the oldest accreditation bodies of its type and is a nonprofit, public-benefit corporation recognized worldwide.
For more information, click here or contact Bruce DeMaine, IAS Product Certification Agency Program Manager, at 562-699-0541 or toll free (in the U.S.) 866-427-4422, ext. 3281, or e-mail: bdemaine@iasonline.org.