09 June 2022 marks World Accreditation Day (#WAD2022), a global initiative established by IAF and ILAC to promote the value of accreditation. This year’s theme is Accreditation: Sustainability in Economic Growth and the Environment.
 
The world economy relies heavily on natural resources provided by healthy ecosystems, and yet we continue to put these ecosystems through enormous stress and to consume resources at an alarming rate. Accreditation, alongside other quality infrastructure tools including metrology, standardization, conformity assessment and market surveillance, can support the shift to a circular economy and more sustainable forms of production. Use of standards can help organizations adopt more eco-friendly practices, with accredited conformity assessment providing assurance that organizations are meeting requirements and fulfilling claims.
 
A brochure providing more information is now available on the IAF and ILAC websites, as well as a joint statement by the IAF and ILAC Chairs and an official WAD 2022 poster.
 
In addition, four supporting videos will be released on the IAF-ILAC YouTube channel in mid-May. IAF and ILAC will also be holding a virtual event on 09 June 2022 with more information to be released closer to the date.
 
The Public Sector Assurance and Business Benefits websites, which contain case studies, research and supporting materials demonstrating the benefits and value of accreditation, can provide more information on how accreditation can support sustainability.
 
While the COVID-19 pandemic may again disrupt in-person WAD events, we encourage everyone to celebrate with us online using the hashtag #WAD2022, to attend our virtual event 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, and IAF on LinkedIn (International Accreditation Forum Inc) for the latest updates.