International cooperation removes technical barriers to trade and makes it easier for countries to do business with one another. This helps boost economies, streamline operations, save money and build confidence in the marketplace.

JAS-ANZ supports international cooperation by establishing arrangements with accreditation bodies operating around the world.

These arrangements mean countries recognise and accept each other’s certificates and inspection reports. This reduces the time, money and effort involved in re-certifying or re-inspecting. It makes it more efficient for one country to do business with another country.

JAS-ANZ is an active member of and signatory to several cooperative arrangements between accreditors.

We have established arrangements with:

1. International Accreditation Forum (IAF)—the world association of bodies interested in conformity assessment in the fields of management systems, products, services, personal and other programs of conformity assessment. We are a founding member and a signatory to IAF MLAs for management systems and product certification. Our full scope is listed on the IAF website.
2. International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) —an international cooperation of laboratory and inspection accreditation bodies formed more than 30 years ago to help remove technical barriers to trade. We became a member in 2012 and are a signatory to ILAC’s MRA.
3. Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC)—an association of accreditation bodies and other interested parties whose objective is to facilitate trade and commerce among economies in the Asia Pacific region. Formerly known as two separate bodies. JAS-ANZ was a founding member and signatory to PAC MLAs for quality management systems, environmental management systems and product certification; we became an APLAC member in 2005.
4. Multilateral Cooperative Accreditation Arrangement (MCAA)—an international arrangement for quality management systems, environmental management systems and Australian forest certification. We joined in 2003 and are a signatory to MCAA for quality management systems, environmental management systems and Australian forest certification.

JAS-ANZ works within an international framework under the World Trade Organisation to support the flow of goods and services by eliminating technical barriers to trade. Our accreditation framework and systems are recognised internationally as being consistent with World Trade Organisation principles and supporting good regulatory practice and market acceptance.