About Accreditation

Accreditation is the formal recognition that an organisation is competent to perform specific processes, activities, or tasks in a reliable credible and accurate manner.

The accreditation process determines, in the public interest, the technical competence and integrity of organisations offering testing, proficiency testing provision, examination, validation and verification, inspection, calibration and certification (often known collectively as evaluation services or conformity assessment services).

INAB accreditation ensures that certificates and test results are acceptable worldwide. Accreditation eliminates the need for multiple assessments when goods cross borders, giving Irish industry the best competitive advantage possible in what is an ever-expanding and aggressive marketplace.

Accreditation, which operates across all market sectors, provides an impartial assessment against internationally recognised standards. It offers key benefits as outlined below:

Government

Accreditation is the preferred mechanism for ensuring public confidence in the reliability of activities that impact on health, welfare, security and the environment. Accreditation is used, therefore, to identify bodies competent for the implementation of government policies and regulations.

Consumer

Accreditation gives consumers confidence through ensuring consistently high standards in the quality and safety of products or services purchased.

Industry

Accreditation is an essential tool for decision making and risk management.  Organisations can save time and money by selecting an accredited (and therefore competent) supplier.

Accreditation can provide a competitive advantage and facilitates access to export markets within Europe and beyond – with the aim of “tested or certified once, accepted everywhere”.

Accurate measurements and tests carried out in compliance with best practices limit product failure, control manufacturing costs and foster innovation.

Accredited Organisations

Accreditation is chosen by an organisation because of the competitive advantages it affords, through access to a given market via independent assessment and demonstration of compliance with international requirements.

Accreditation is objective proof that organisations have the competence to comply with best practice.  It is the internationally recognised system that is used to develop and sustain high standards of performance.  It is often a prerequisite for eligibility to tender for international projects.