Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated Launch Unites International Bodies and Builds Worldwide Trust
1 January 2026: A new, single international accreditation organization, Global Accreditation
Cooperation Incorporated, has been established to bring together the work of the International
Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated has commenced full operations as of 1 January
2026, including the launch of its own Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MRA). The International Accreditation Service (IAS) is a signatory member of the new organization as of it’s launch.
Why this matters
For governments, regulators, industry and consumers, accredited conformity assessment
results and certificates must be trusted and accepted across borders, “bringing global trust for a
better world”.
By replacing ILAC and IAF with a single organization, the global accreditation system that
underpins trade, safety and consumer confidence will become simpler, more efficient and easier
to trust. The formation of Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated will reduce duplication
of efforts, harmonize accreditation policies and procedures and enable more consistent
application of standards across sectors and borders.
What is changing
One organization, one governance framework. While the governance and organizational
structure of IAF and ILAC are evolving through the formation of the Global Accreditation
Cooperation Incorporated, continuity is being maintained in scopes of accreditation and
membership. The new organization will bring a more unified framework without changing the
trusted relationships or recognitions that regulators, industry, consumers and the conformity
assessment community rely on.
One global Cooperation, one MRA. The Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated’s MRA
will cover the scopes previously recognized under the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement
and the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement, providing a single, clearer pathway for mutual
recognition of accredited conformity assessment results.
What isn’t changing
Continuity of recognition. Existing accreditations issued under the ILAC MRA and/or IAF MLA
will continue to be recognized as arrangements transition to the Global Accreditation
Cooperation Incorporated MRA.
No service interruptions. Accreditation bodies (ABs), conformity assessment bodies (CABs),
scheme owners and regional groups will continue operating as normal through the transition.
Existing marks remain valid during transition. The IAF MLA and ILAC MRA marks will remain
valid for as long as required until full adoption of the Global Accreditation Cooperation
Incorporated new mark.
How the global system continues to work
Proven regional machinery remains in place. Regional Cooperation Bodies (AFRAC, APAC,
ARAC, EA, IAAC, SADCA) will continue to support peer evaluations and regional coordination
that feed the global MRA.
Confidence through peer evaluation. As with ILAC and IAF, confidence is built via rigorous,
standards-based peer evaluation (ISO/IEC 17011) of ABs and regions, ensuring that
accreditation remains a strong enabler of mutual recognition.
What stakeholders should do now
Regulators and policymakers: Prepare to reference the Global Accreditation Cooperation
Incorporated MRA in laws, regulations, specifications and schemes (with transitional recognition
of ILAC/IAF marks).
CABs and scheme owners: Continue normal operations; maintain use of current ILAC/IAF
marks during the transition period, then phase to the Global Accreditation Cooperation
Incorporated mark once available per guidance.
International partners: Expect a single point of liaison for accreditation policy and technical
input; existing MoUs will be renegotiated or transitioned to the Global Accreditation Cooperation
Incorporated.
About Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated
The Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated is a not-for-profit Incorporated Society
registered in New Zealand (6 December 2024). It brings together accreditation bodies,
stakeholders and regional cooperation bodies to operate a single global Multilateral Recognition
Arrangement supporting international acceptance of accredited conformity assessment results.
Official name: Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated;
Website: http://www.globalaccreditationcooperationincorporated.org
