Global ACI Is Here: What It Means for Conformity Assessment

What This Webinar Covers:

The global accreditation landscape recently underwent one of its biggest structural changes in decades: the merger of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) into a single organization, Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI). This webinar explains what drove the merger, how the new unified multilateral recognition arrangement replaces the former IAF MLA and ILAC MRA systems, and what the transition actually means for laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies operating under accreditation.

The session also covers how accreditation and Global ACI marks may be used correctly on reports, certificates, and marketing materials, and outlines the most common nonconformities CABs risk during the transition period, from using marks outside an accredited scope to failing to distinguish accredited from non-accredited results.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why IAF and ILAC merged and how Global ACI is structured
• How the transition from the IAF MLA and ILAC MRA to a single Global ACI MRA mark works
• What the transition means for laboratories, certification bodies, and inspection bodies
• The rules governing correct use of accreditation and Global ACI marks
• Key risks, challenges, and nonconformities CABs should watch for during the transition

Key Takeaways:

• Documents and certificates issued under the former IAF or ILAC marks remain valid until formally replaced; there is no need to rush the transition.
• Conformity assessment bodies must continue using the accreditation body’s own mark alongside the mark of Global ACI; the Global ACI mark cannot be used on its own.
• Marks must never be used outside an organization’s accredited scope or placed directly on products to imply product approval.
• Accreditation bodies, not Global ACI directly, remain the primary point of contact for CABs regarding mark usage, approvals, and transition timing.
• CABs should maintain clear records of where and how accreditation marks are used to avoid the most common transition-related nonconformities.

Presented By:

Dr. George Anastasopoulos
Technical and International Business Development Manager of PJLA