MLA Accreditation

The ECA supports the concept of mutual recognition systems between accreditation bodies and stakeholders in the field of conformity assessment. Such systems are designed to enhance confidence in the conformity assessment results issued by organizations accredited by national accreditation bodies. In the global quality infrastructure, multilateral and bilateral recognition agreements exist between accreditation bodies, facilitating international cooperation and reducing technical barriers to trade. An example of such a structure is the Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA), developed by regional accreditation associations recognized within international accreditation networks such as the IAF and ILAC. These agreements are concluded between the national accreditation bodies themselves following a mutual assessment process and are intended to support the acceptance of conformity assessment results issued by accredited conformity assessment bodies within their respective accreditations.

The ECA is a voluntary association of conformity assessment organizations. Participation of conformity assessment bodies in the ECA does not imply accreditation status within the national accreditation system.

The ECA provides links to portals and directories where mutual recognition mechanisms and lists of signatories are published. Detailed information on these recognition mechanisms and the accreditation bodies participating in them can be found in authorized international accreditation networks. Any statement of mutual recognition in this context refers to recognized national accreditation systems and the agreements between them.

Official information on mutually recognized agreements within official programs, such as those developed by recognized regional associations, is available in the publications of the international accreditation network.