Quality Infrastructure
Quality infrastructure is defined as the system that includes institutions (governmental and private) along with relevant policies, legal and regulatory frameworks and practices necessary to support and enhance the quality, safety, and environmental integrity of goods, services and processes.
Accreditation
It is third-party attestation related to a conformity assessment body, conveying formal demonstration of its competence, impartiality, and consistent operation in performing specific conformity assessment activities after fulfilling all the relevant international standards requirements to ensure its competence, including but not limited to accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories, medical laboratories, inspection bodies, certification bodies, and other relevant bodies.
Measurement and Metrology
is a set of measurement operations that are carried out under specific conditions using measuring devices and tools assigned to achieve the metrological traceability of measurement results in the Kingdom to the units of the International System (SI). Such operations determine the accuracy of the measuring devices, their adequacy for the purpose for which they were used, and their conformity with the international system of measurement in accordance with specific international standards.
Standardization
They are documentation for the establishment and development of standards, specifications, requirements, and detailed characteristics of products, services, processes, and associated production methods, with which compliance is optional.
Conformity Assessment
It is verification of the conformity of products, services or processes to the technical regulations and the pre-determined specifications.
Accreditation
Identification
of Accreditation
Accreditation is: a certificate from a third party (accreditation center) that an entity that provides conformity assessment services in a specific field is officially qualified to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks after fulfilling all the requirements contained in international evidence to ensure the continuity of its efficiency.
Importance
Accreditation
- It gives confidence in reports, certificates and conformity statements.
- Supports the quality of results by ensuring that they are traceable, comparable, valid, and interchangeable.
- Reduces production defects and the possibility of product failure.
- Increases international acceptance of import and export and enhances trade exchange.
- It guarantees impartiality and non-conflict of interests. It enhances the levels of general confidence of consumers in the goods and services available in the market.
Role
of Accreditation
Accreditation includes evaluating the efficiency and impartiality of the conformity assessment body and its compliance with nationally and internationally recognized standards or fields that provide testing, examination, calibration, inspection and certification. Accreditation contributes to promoting health, safety, environmental protection and economic development by ensuring the quality of services and products in accordance with the best international standards and references. Accreditation ensures the application of national and international standards in terms of:
Competence
Verification of the technical expertise and skills of employees in an accredited conformity assessment body or an assessment body applying for accreditation by qualified assessors with relevant experience and specialized knowledge.
Confidence
The accredited conformity assessment body have to prove that there is no conflict or harmony of interests with the customer, to whom the services are provided.
Impartiality
The accredited conformity assessment bodies, which provide certifications and issue test reports, have to approve their independence from the organizations to which they provide services.
Benefits of Accreditation
1. Promoting International Trade:
Global recognition of European Accreditation Council contributes to supporting trade between countries, facilitating the flow of goods and products across global markets and enhancing economic competitiveness.
2. Risk Reduction:
Accreditation protects the health and safety of individuals by working with trusted laboratories and inspection and certification bodies accredited by European Accreditation Council, reducing risks related to products and services.
3. Legislative Support:
Accreditation plays a pivotal role in enforcing national legislation by providing a “seal of approval” that ensures compliance with required specifications and standards.
4. Cost Reduction:
The presence of European Accreditation Council reduces the need to employ additional government technicians and experts, which contributes to reducing costs and avoiding duplication of audits.
5. Enhancing Public Confidence:
Cooperation with internationally recognized European Accreditation Council enhances public confidence in the integrity of government activities, particularly in services related to public health and safety.
1- Increasing Employment Opportunities:
Accreditation contributes to opening new horizons for the labor market, by providing diverse job opportunities and stimulating investments in the conformity assessment sector, which leads to expanding markets and attracting new projects.
2- Enhancing Efficiency:
Accreditation supports accurate calibration, measurement, and technical testing processes, which reduces errors, improves production cost management, and enhances innovation in processes and products.
3- Facilitating Business:
Accredited certificates ensure compliance with official standards and regulations, which reduces the need for companies to submit additional documents, and enhances the efficiency of business operations.
4- Export Support:
International recognition of accredited conformity assessment reports enables companies to expand into foreign markets easily, without the need for additional verification procedures, which supports their competitiveness at the global level.
1- Enhancing Confidence in Products and Services:
Accreditation promotes consumer safety through product certificates that provide credibility and peace of mind, issued by accredited conformity bodies committed to upholding the highest standards of quality.
2- Consumer Protection:
Accreditation enhances consumers’ confidence in the services and products they receive by ensuring they undergo regular evaluations and inspections conducted by specialized and independent entities, ensuring their quality and safety.
Regional and International Partner Institutions
