Feedback

Complaints provide a valuable mechanism for receiving feedback relating to the effectiveness of the MLA. This confirms that the MLA is working effectively and that the process in place is suitably robust. It can also provide information that can be used to improve areas of the MLA. The following numbers of complaints were raised with IAF during this period:

• Complaints referred to ABs – five received and remain open; one received in a previous year remained open on 31 December 2022
• Complaints referred to RAGs – one received and remained open; one received in a previous year remained open on 31 December 2022

Post-COVID-19 Restrictions

Following the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic and the imposition of social distancing and travel restrictions, IAF immediately began developing resources in response, working closely with stakeholders to address their needs. In collaboration with ILAC and the RAGs, a framework of measures was developed to allow assessments and peer evaluations to be performed remotely, guaranteeing the maintenance of a high level of competence and harmonization.

Resources published in 2020 and maintained in 2021 and 2022 include:

• An IAF Statement on COVID-19, which highlights relevant IAF documents on extraordinary events and the use of information and communications technology in audits and assessments
• A series of COVID-19 FAQs endorsed at the 2020 IAF General Assembly, which helps certification-based stakeholders (certified clients, certification bodies, accreditation bodies, scheme owners and regulators) maintain a harmonized approach
• An IAF-ILAC Statement re Delayed Evaluations – March 2020, which provides guidelines that ensured the consistent transition of all IAF MLA and ILAC MRA signatories to the latest version of ISO/IEC 17011

A COVID-19 hub on the IAF website contains links to all current resources.

The IAF MLA MC and ILAC Arrangement Management Committee (AMC) continued meeting remotely following the imposition of travel restrictions. Additionally, IAF collaborated with a number of other international organizations to share experiences with working remotely and highlight the role of conformity assessment in supporting health and safety during the pandemic, including UNIDO, OECD, ISO/CASCO and GFSI.

Improvement Activities

IAF consults widely with stakeholders in developing accreditation programs, and it works to deliver the best standard of conformity assessment in order to provide stakeholders with a value-added outcome.

In 2022, IAF continued to improve its collaboration with ILAC. Only IAF/ILAC JMC meetings are held and there are no separate meetings of the IAF MLA MC and the ILAC AMC. This provides for a better understanding of the few different requirements and the many commonalities in the MLA area between the two organisations.

IAF PL3 Policies and procedures on the IAF MLA Structure and for expansion of the scope of the MLA was reviewed and published within this period to include new MLA scope extension processes. In addition, the JMC initiated a revision of IAF/ILAC A2 – IAF/ILAC Multi-lateral mutual recognition arrangements (Arrangements): Requirements and procedures for evaluation of a single accreditation body, in order to incorporate identified changes and explore a risk-based approach to evaluation.