ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation)

ILAC MRA — international cooperation in the field of laboratory accreditation

ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) is an international organization for laboratory accreditation, established in 1978 and registered as an organization in 2002.

In 2000, 36 accreditation bodies from 28 countries signed the Multilateral Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).

The main objective of the Arrangement is to create a global network of accredited testing and calibration laboratories whose results are recognized by all participants. This promotes international trade based on the principle "tested once, accepted everywhere."

Requirements for participants in the Arrangement include::

• Compliance with ISO/IEC Guide 58.

• Conformity to ISO/IEC 17025 for accredited laboratories.

• Implementation of ILAC guidance documents

Key principles of ILAC's operation::

• Exchange of information on accreditation procedures.

• Participation in the ILAC General Assembly and committees.

• Participation in international interlaboratory comparisons.

• Work in expert groups and special committees.

• Assessment and re-evaluation of participants.

• Monitoring laboratories' compliance with standards.

• Ensuring confidence in measurement methods and measuring instruments.

The Federal Accreditation Service (Rosakkreditatsiya) became a full member of ILAC and a signatory to the MRA in 2017. After an extension of its recognition scope in 2021, accredited laboratories obtained the right to use the ILAC MRA mark on test reports and calibration certificates. This mark confirms the international recognition of the laboratory's accreditation and increases confidence in its documents abroad..