The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) have agreed to merge into a single organisation for accreditation, called the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (GAC). This new entity is slated to become operational in January 2026, at which time it is expected that members of IAF and ILAC will transfer to GAC.
In 2024, following rigorous collaboration and extensive discussions, members of the IAF and ILAC established the Constitution and General Rules for the new organisation. After their respective annual meetings in October 2024, IAF and ILAC initiated the formal process of incorporating the Global Accreditation Cooperation.
Established in 1993, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) is a global entity that brings together accreditation bodies, certification body associations, and various stakeholders engaged in conformity assessment across management systems, verification, personnel, products and services.
The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), evolved from a conference into a cooperation in 1996, serving as the leading global authority on accreditation of laboratories, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers and reference material producers. Its international membership includes accreditation bodies and affiliated organisations.
Both the IAF and the ILAC have advanced the global acceptance of conformity assessment results by accredited certification and conformity bodies. They have also advocated for increased use and recognition by industry and governments of results from accredited entities. Accreditation bodies sign agreements to facilitate the international acceptance of products and services. This ensures mutual recognition of accredited services among signatories, enabling widespread market acceptance based on a single accreditation. These agreements foster international trade, and boost confidence in the reliability of results within international economies.
In line with the merging of the organisations, the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (IAF MLA) and the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC MRA) will be integrated into the Global Accreditation Cooperation's Mutual Recognition Arrangement (GAC MRA). Existing accredited conformity assessment results will continue to be recognised, uninterrupted.
Until the GAC finalises its internal processes and procedures, the IAF and the ILAC will continue their operations as usual. Additionally, the IAF MLA and the ILAC MRA will remain operational for signatory accreditation bodies and conformity assessment bodies with existing accreditation. The GAC MRA Mark is expected to be available for use starting from the Transition Date. The IAF MLA and the ILAC MRA Marksare anticipated to be phased out three years following the Transition Date.
More details about the transition and a confirmed start date will be released by the end of April 2025.