For any organisation engaged in the process of conformity assessment, ISO\/IEC 17025 and ISO\/IEC 17020 are international standards that indicate technical competence and reliability. ISO\/IEC 17025 relates to testing and calibration laboratories, whereas ISO\/IEC 17020 is for inspection bodies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the case of the UAE, UAE lab accreditation to ISO 17025 can be sought at the Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC). However, the Emirates National Accreditation System (ENAS) also comprises a portion of the national accreditation system. It is important to note that accreditation is not the same as the issuance of trade licenses, Activity Practice Permits, and other operational permits. Depending on the licensed activities, an organisation will be required to achieve both licensing and accreditation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking for assistance with the requirements for the EIAC accreditation process? Enterslice can assist testing laboratories and inspection bodies in navigating UAE accreditation requirements with confidence.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n For test laboratories and bodies involved in inspection within the UAE, the process of accreditation is usually one of the steps that should be taken to prove their technical competence and reliability. Among the accreditation standards that have become well-known are the ISO\/IEC 17025 and ISO\/IEC 17020 standards. Although both of them are aimed at providing assurance for conformity assessment activities, they are used for various organisations and services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ISO\/IEC 17025 is designed for testing and calibration laboratories. It evaluates whether a laboratory has the qualified personnel, appropriate equipment, validated methods and management system necessary to deliver accurate and reliable results. An accreditation certificate is not awarded for all activities conducted by a laboratory. It is not applicable to all operations done in a testing or calibration laboratory but only to the accredited scope of tests, measurements or calibration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ISO\/IEC 17020 is applicable to those organisations that conduct inspection activities related to products, facilities, processes, properties or installations. Competence, consistency and impartiality in inspection activities have been covered under this standard. Since inspection activities are distinct from laboratory testing, the UAE requirements for inspection body accreditation and laboratory accreditation are evaluated separately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the common myths is that accreditation, ISO certification, and business licensing are one and the same thing. However, licensing means that the business is entitled to conduct its commercial activities, whereas any industry-specific registration, license or Activity Practice Permit can entitle a company to conduct the specified regulated activity. On the other hand, accreditation means that the conformity assessment body receives an official recognition of its technical competence for conducting certain kinds of testing, calibration and inspection. The scope of the accreditation will determine what services the accreditation certificate covers. Therefore, having an accreditation certificate does not mean that there is no need for a trade license, registration or license if it is required by the relevant authority. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is ISO\/IEC 17025 and 17020 Accreditation in the UAE? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ISO\/IEC 17025 Accreditation for Testing Laboratories <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ISO\/IEC 17020 Accreditation for Inspection Bodies <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Accreditation Is Not the Same as ISO Certification, a License or a Permit <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Criteria<\/strong> <\/td> ISO\/IEC 17025<\/strong> <\/td> ISO\/IEC 17020<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr> Applies to <\/td> Testing and calibration laboratories <\/td> Inspection bodies <\/td><\/tr> Primary focus <\/td> Technical validity of test\/calibration results <\/td> Competent and impartial inspections <\/td><\/tr> Output <\/td> Test or calibration reports <\/td> Inspection reports <\/td><\/tr> Accreditation scope <\/td> Specific tests and calibrations <\/td> Specific inspection activities <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n