The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) organized World Accreditation Day, which is observed on June 9th each year, as a way to increase public awareness of the vital role that accreditation plays in a variety of spheres of life.
The subject for this year is Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future, which emphasizes how important accreditation is in a world that is changing quickly.
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What is World Accreditation Day?
Accreditation as a form of quality assurance can assist organizations in proving their ability, authority, and conformity to international standards. It is a fundamental component for the quality, safety, and trust in products, services, and systems in various fields of education, technology, transportation, sustainability, security, environment, social, political, and economic inclusion, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Through celebrations like World Accreditation Day, UKAS can effectively demonstrate what accreditation is all about because it focuses on creating awareness of the importance of accreditation to consumers, businesses, and even regulators.
Celebrating World Accreditation Day also enables UKAS to acknowledge the work that accredited CABs are doing, as well as to inform a wider audience of the importance of accreditation for opening the doors to global trade and economic growth. There is also the need to pay special regard to the professionals and organizations who engaged in the accreditation of the programs, thus emphasizing their efforts to standard and practice quality programs.
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World Accreditation Day 2024 Theme
This is a global campaign to raise awareness of the
importance of accreditation that was founded by ILAC and IAF on June 9th, 2024.
The focus of this year’s subject, certification: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future, is on how certification can influence different facets of life in our dynamic global environment.
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The World Accreditation Day 2024 Poster Competition
As is expected, IAF and ILAC are inviting people to participate in the poster competition in honor of this year. Talented people can show off their originality and support the advancement of accreditation by entering the poster contest.
Significance of World Accreditation Day
The importance of the Day is that it fosters an understanding of the part that accreditation plays in; promoting confidence in the quality and safety of products, services, and systems. Accreditation is a form of certification where an impartial third party, known as the accreditation body, gives assurances that the conformity assessment body (CAB) performs functions in compliance with established standards. Some of the services that are offered by CABs include; testing, inspection, and certification services.
Accreditation is crucial as it gives confidence to the business entities, government, and consumers that the various products, services, and systems required meet the necessary standards. It also contributes to the removal of trade barriers and the creation of incentives for innovation.
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History of World Accreditation Day
Specifically, Accreditation Day (WAD) established to celebrated every first Friday of June. It’s first-ever celebration on the 9th of June 2008. Initiated by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). It aims to increase public awareness of the significance of accreditation. As a means of evaluating the quality, safety, and reliability of products, services, and systems.
This date selected because June 9th marks the anniversary of entering into force of ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement in 1994. ILAC MRA stands for International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement. Which is an agreement between accreditation bodies that define conditions of recognizing each other’s accreditation.
This means that a conformity assessment that has accredited in one country may recognized a conformity assessment that has accredited in another country.
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FAQs related to World Accreditation Day
- What is World Accreditation Day?
Accreditation Day observed on June 9th each year to raise public awareness about the vital role of accreditation in ensuring quality, safety, and trust in products, services, and systems across various sectors.
- Who organizes World Accreditation Day?
The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) organize World Accreditation Day.
- What is the theme for World Accreditation Day 2024?
The theme for 2024 is “Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future. Highlighting the importance of accreditation in a rapidly changing world.
- Why is accreditation important?
Accreditation provides assurance that organizations meet international standards, promoting quality, safety, and trust in products and services. It supports global trade, economic growth, and innovation.
- How does World Accreditation Day increase public awareness?
Accreditation Day helps demonstrate the importance of this day to consumers, businesses, and regulators through events, campaigns, and educational activities.
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Way Forward
However, In addition to celebrating, World Accreditation Day offers a chance to interact with the international accrediting community. There will be several activities, webinars, and talks throughout the day to examine how accreditation affects various sectors and companies. As we prepare to record this significant event in the accreditation calendar, keep a watch on the UKAS website.