Signatories to the IAF MLA

The IAF MLA has been structured to build on existing and developing regional MLAs/MRAs established around the world. Therefore, IAF has formally recognised the MLA/MRA programs of six RAGs:

• African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC)
• Arab Accreditation Cooperation (ARAC)
• Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (APAC)
• European co-operation for Accreditation (EA)
• Inter American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC)
• Southern African Development Community Cooperation in Accreditation (SADCA)

The table below presents the main scope(s) that each RAG was recognized for in 2023 under the IAF MLA.

ABs recognised under these Regional MLAs/MRAs may apply to the IAF for recognition under the IAF MLA based on the acceptance of the mutual recognition arrangements established within these organisations.

Membership in the IAF MLA is facilitated by membership in the recognised RAGs’ MLAs for recognised programs. IAF members who are also signatories of these regional MLAs/MRAs can be accepted into the IAF MLA for recognised programs.

Originally, unaffiliated ABs applied directly to IAF to become an IAF MLA signatory.  Since the end of 2018, there are no unaffiliated IAF Member ABs as all IAF AB members are now also members of a RAG.

The number of signatories to the IAF MLA has grown in recent years, providing confidence to businesses and regulators in a greater number of economies. A full list of IAF MLA signatories is available in  IAF MLA MC 17 and new IAF MLA signatories and scope extensions, as noted during the 2023 IAF General Assembly, are referenced in Annex 2 of this report. The graphs below show the evolution of the number of signatories at the regional level for different MLA scopes.

Note: Not all signatories to Regional MLAs/MRAs have applied to become a signatory of the IAF MLA.
In 2023, the IAF MLA comprised six recognised RAGs and 85 ABs, representing a total of 101 economies.