09 June 2021 marks World Accreditation Day (#WAD2021), a global initiative established by IAF and ILAC to promote the value of accreditation. This year’s theme is Accreditation: Supporting the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs are at the core of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a broad and ambitious plan of action with the overarching objective of leaving no one behind. Accreditation, in collaboration with other quality infrastructure institutions, provides the technical foundations that are critical to the functioning of developed and developing societies. It enables industrial development, trade competitiveness in global markets, efficient use of natural and human resources, food safety, and health and environmental protection.

IAF and ILAC have published a joint WAD 2021 statement by the IAF and ILAC Chairs, a brochure and a poster.

In addition, three videos with the themes of People, Planet and Prosperity will be released on the IAF-ILAC Youtube channel in mid-May. These three pillars group the SDGs according to common goals and are reflective of publications from UNIDO, OECD and UNDP.

The Public Sector Assurance and Business Benefits websites, which contain case studies, research and supporting materials demonstrating the benefits and value of accreditation, also now feature an option for searching by SDG.

While the COVID-19 pandemic may again disrupt physical WAD events, we encourage everyone to celebrate with us online using the hashtag #WAD2021 and to contact your local accreditation body for further details on local media and online seminars and programs they may be organising. A list of IAF Members is available here, and a list of ILAC Members is available here.

Follow IAF (@IAF_Global) and ILAC (@ILAC_Official) on Twitter for the latest updates.