Cross border European accreditation in practice (Position Update)

The EC Regulation n°765/2008 of 9 July 2008 sets out the general framework and requirements for European accreditation. One of the main principles under the new framework is the principle of non-competition. Therefore a stringent regime for cross-border accreditation has been set up (cf. article 7). The Regulation applies to accreditation used to support both compulsory and voluntary conformity assessment.

While strongly supporting the fundamental principles of non-competition and mutual recognition between accreditation bodies in order to reduce the need for multiple accreditations, Orgalime draws the attention to the special challenges that arise due to the very stringent cross-border provisions. According to these provisions a conformity assessment body (CAB), whether third-party or first-party/in-house body, can only apply for accreditation from another Member State’s accreditation body if the accreditation which is sought is not provided for in its Member State of establishment.