APAC General Assembly Meeting 2025-1: Key Outcomes from the Event in Bangalore
APAC General Assembly Meeting 2025-1: Key Outcomes from the Event in Bangalore Bangalore, India – June 29, 2025 The APAC General Assembly Meeting 2025-1 was held in Bangalore from June 21 to 28. It was a large-scale event that brought together executives, experts and partners from the Asia-Pacific region. The meeting was dedicated to strategic planning, innovation and strengthening business cooperation in the region. Key Topics and Outcomes During the week, participants discussed key issues, including: Development of digital technologies – implementation of AI, big data and cybersecurity in business processes. Sustainable development – environmental initiatives and ESG strategies of companies. Expanding partnerships – new joint projects and investment opportunities in the APAC region. Particular attention was paid to the role of India as one of the key technological and economic hubs of Asia. Bangalore, known as the “Indian Silicon Valley”, became the ideal platform for discussions on the future of digital transformation. Events and speakers The meeting included: Plenary sessions with CEOs of leading companies in the region. Expert panels on finance, logistics and innovation. Networking sessions where participants were able to establish business contacts. Key speakers included representatives of major corporations, venture funds and government agencies. Next steps Following the meeting, the participants agreed to implement new joint initiatives, and the next APAC General Assembly Meeting 2025-2 is scheduled for November in Singapore. The organizers expressed gratitude to all participants and partners for their productive work and expressed confidence in the further growth of cooperation in the region.
2024 World Accreditation Day message from APAC Chair
Theme of World Accreditation Day 2024 is “Accreditation, Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future.” It highlights the accelerating nature and pace of change in the Asia-Pacific region, where global challenges such as climate change, energy management, food and water security, and population growth intersect with opportunities for education, health, science, technology, and online tools and services. The document emphasizes the role of accreditation in navigating this evolving landscape, helping societies leverage opportunities by managing adverse risks and providing confidence in understanding and safely managing uncertainty. Furthermore, it was mentioned that the Asia-Pacific region has 61 full members and six associate members covering 35 economies. Over the past year, new accreditation bodies from Iran, Qatar, and the United States have joined, demonstrating the region’s readiness for the future. Additionally, full members in 18 economies extended their APAC MRA recognition to include additional scopes and subscopes, showcasing innovation and future-focused approaches to meeting stakeholders’ changing needs. The accreditation services provided by members instill confidence in the future and empower the regional community to navigate challenges and uncertainties, ultimately shaping the collective future for the benefit of future generations. In conclusion, a message of confidence in the future through accreditation, emphasizing the role of accreditation in managing uncertainty and leveraging opportunities in the face of evolving global challenges was conveyed. It also highlights the growth and innovation within the Asia-Pacific region’s accreditation community, showcasing its readiness for the future and commitment to meeting stakeholders’ changing needs.
Interview with Mr. Raj Nathan, APAC Vice Chair and IAS (USA) President
Accreditation bodies in the Asia Pacific region are working to harmonize practices related to sustainability initiatives, encouraging adoption of international standards and guidelines. This aims to promote transparency, credibility, and recognition of sustainability claims across different countries. Additionally, APAC organizes capacity-building activities and workshops to enhance the competence of accreditation bodies and conformity assessment personnel in the region, focusing on sustainability-related topics. Quality infrastructure plays a crucial role in achieving sustainable development goals by providing a foundation for economic growth, social development, and environmental protection. Accreditation and accredited conformity assessment bodies are essential in ensuring the credibility and trustworthiness of sustainability initiatives, providing assurance that claims are feasible and credible. APAC works towards harmonizing accreditation practices across the region, encouraging member accreditation bodies to adopt and align with international standards and guidelines for sustainability assessments, such as ISO standards, to promote transparency and credibility in sustainability claims across different countries. In addition to promoting transparency and credibility, APAC has established various Working Groups (WGs) to harmonize the region’s approach to sustainability standards. These WGs discuss matters relating to ISO standards on validation and verification of sustainable information, environmental and sustainability labeling, and other sustainability-related topics. APAC also organizes capacity-building activities, workshops, and training programs to enhance the competence of accreditation bodies and conformity assessment personnel in the APAC region, focusing on sustainability-related topics such as environmental management systems, energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and social responsibility. Furthermore, APAC’s Environment Working Group under the Communications and Promotion Committee ensures the sensitization of APAC members on the latest developments in sustainability. The Executive Committee encourages members to actively participate in these efforts, aiming for APAC to become leaders in the area of accreditation and sustainability.
Agreement between the ECA and the Research Institute of Atmosphere
A cooperation agreement was signed between the Eurasian Association of Expert Organizations for Conformity Assessment and Certification and the Research Institute for Atmospheric Air Protection. The agreement was concluded with the aim of establishing long-term partnerships and interaction between the Parties in implementing joint activities related to the development of the conformity assessment process and increasing confidence in certification in the interests of all stakeholders. The Parties will cooperate to develop common approaches and requirements for the activities of expert organizations, the results of conformity assessment and certification for compliance with the requirements of national legislation, international, national standards and standards of organizations in the field of environmental management, air protection, greenhouse gas emission calculations and their verification; identifying and applying best practices and advanced experience in the certification process; development of joint proposals in the field of standardization to ensure continuous updating of requirements within the framework of participation in the activities of national Technical Committees of the TC, as well as (through the relevant representatives of the Russian Federation) in the activities of the working bodies of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
2024 APAC Annual Meeting and Awards
Over 200 delegates attended the 2024 APAC Annual Meeting that was kindly hosted by GAC, EIAC and ENAS in Dubai from 13-19 July 2024. APAC congratulates the inaugural APAC Award recipients: APAC Life-Time Achievement Award 2024: Mr. Yoshinobu Uematsu APAC Technical Excellence Award 2024: Mr. Mohan Sabaratnam APAC Organizational Recognition Award 2024: Taiwan Accreditation Foundation APAC Award 2024: Ms. Annette Dever 2024: Ms. Sharon Kelly Please see the APAC Awards page for more details.
2025 APAC Annual Meeting, 21-28 June 2025, Bengaluru
APAC’s 2025 Annual Meeting will take place from 21-28 June 2025 in Bengaluru, India, kindly hosted by the Indian National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) and the National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL). This event is for APAC Members and Affiliates only. Further information can be found on the event website: https://apac2025.in/ Location Bengaluru
