- IAF has renewed its tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at a signing ceremony held on 24 November in Vienna, Austria. The renewal extends the commitment between IAF, ILAC and UNIDO to cooperate in the field of accreditation and conformity assessment to facilitate the integration of developing countries into the global quality infrastructure, enhance the impact of industrial development on economic growth, and assist the integration of developing countries and transition economies into the global economy.
- The MoU was signed by Xiao Jianhua (IAF Chair), Merih Malmqvist Nilsson (ILAC Chair) and Ll Yong (UNIDO Director General) on the sidelines of the Least Developed Countries Ministerial Conference, organized by UNIDO, where Mr. Xiao was a panelist at a side event titled “Integration Into Global Value Chains: Partnerships for Quality Infrastructure and Standards”. The IAF and ILAC Chairs also attended an Expert Group Meeting with UNIDO and other organizations in the field of conformity assessment on 23 November to discuss the guiding principles of quality policy.
- UNIDO quality infrastructure-related projects aim to build the capacities of developing countries in policy formulation, institutional strengthening and private sector development. Internationally recognized accreditation systems are vital to reduce technical barriers to trade, trade costs and facilitate integration into global markets and value chains, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
More information is available here.
