In Memoriam: Chuck Ramani

Founding President, International Accreditation Service (IAS)

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Chuck Ramani, Founding President of the International Accreditation Service (IAS). Chuck passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026, surrounded by his family. His passing marks the loss of a visionary leader, a respected pioneer in the field of conformity assessment, and a cherished member of the IAS and ICC family, as well as the global conformity assessment community.

Chuck Ramani’s name is synonymous with IAS. As its founding president, he played a pivotal role in establishing the organization’s vision, structure, and global reputation. His leadership laid the foundation for IAS to become a world-respected accreditation body grounded in integrity, technical excellence, and service to the public.

Chuck’s journey in conformity assessment began on November 21, 1973, when he joined the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) as a staff engineer, evaluating products for certification compliance. Over time, he moved up to become the Vice President of the ICBO Evaluation Service (ICBO ES). Under his leadership, ICBO ES became a global leader for development of many technical acceptance criteria and evaluation of new and innovative building products in compliance with building codes. Chuck was a strong advocate for global cooperation and for the acceptance and harmonization of standards and schemes across nations and industries. During this period, he also served on the advisory committee of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

At a time when accreditation of testing laboratories was still emerging within the construction industry, Chuck recognized its transformative potential. Drawing on his civil and construction engineering expertise, he established a strong approval program for testing laboratories involved in construction materials and products. During those early years, Chuck was also involved in the formation of ILAC, working with his peers in the global accreditation community. He was also a founder of and signatory to the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formally signed in April 1995 in Bandung, Indonesia.

Over the next several decades, Chuck traveled extensively and contributed tirelessly to building global conformity assessment institutions and structures, while expanding accreditation programs in the United States. A professional engineer (P.E.) recognized in civil and fire engineering, he served as a testing expert on numerous national and international technical committees. Over the course of his distinguished career, Chuck’s work as an expert and technical speaker took him to more than 50 countries.

In 2002, with vision and determination, Chuck—working closely with the ICC Board of Directors—helped found IAS from a single-program accreditation operation headquartered in Whittier, California. As its founding president, he established a strong framework for its growth and current global standing. His strategic foresight was matched by a collaborative spirit that enabled him to build enduring relationships with competitors, peers, stakeholders, national agencies, and international bodies—always advocating for transparency, competence, and mutual recognition. A testament to his influence was the outpouring of congratulatory messages from around the world at his retirement in March 2018.

At the 50^th anniversary celebration of IAS, held in September 2025 in Brea, California, IAS honored Chuck’s lifelong contributions by establishing the Chuck Ramani Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing individuals who embody the values and excellence he championed. His legacy was further commemorated in the IAS 50th Anniversary book, a tribute that deeply moved him. At the event, Chuck—though recovering from illness—delivered a spirited and positive message to the distinguished audience, continuing to emphasize his commitment to technical excellence and integrity in the profession. He was also honored by the ICC Los Angeles Basin Chapter as a lifetime honorary member.

With gratitude and admiration, we honor Chuck Ramani for his extraordinary service, visionary leadership, and enduring impact on IAS, ICC, and the global accreditation community. His legacy will continue to guide and inspire future generations.

Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Rest in peace, Chuck. Your legacy lives on.