NATA has developed a structured program of educational tutorials designed to support stakeholders, government policy and regulatory officers in understanding how conformity assessment can be effectively applied to manage risk, support policy objectives, and enable sound decision-making.
What the tutorials cover
The program provides targeted, modular content that can be used selectively depending on the policy or regulatory context.
Key areas include:
- Two generic introductory tutorials cover the why, what and how of NATA and the other S&C bodies
- The relationship between accreditation and the standards used in conformity assessment
- International structures and trade-related considerations of accreditation
- NATA’s relationships with governments
- Conformity assessment options for products and services
- Challenges of modern supply chains for products
- Policy and regulatory application of NATA accreditation
The tutorials have been developed from decades if constructive interactions with government agencies and are designed to deliver practical, immediate value by helping policy and regulatory officers:
- Make more informed policy decisions
Understand when and how accredited conformity assessment can be used to manage risk and support policy objectives.
- Strengthen regulatory design
Access proven frameworks and tools that align with best practice in standards and conformance policy.
- Build confidence in outcomes
Gain clarity on how accreditation ensures competence, consistency and reliability in testing, inspection and certification.
- Navigate complexity more effectively
Understand the implications of global trade, supply chains and technical standards in policy decisions.
- Maintain institutional capability despite staff turnover
Provide a consistent knowledge base that supports continuity and reduces the impact of organisational change.
In developing the program, NATA has taken into account the Australian Government Guide to Policy Impact Analysis together with the Best Practice Handbook on Standards and Conformance Policy to ensure that the information provided is compatible.
NATA maintains a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Government to provide recognition of NATA’s place in Australia’s standards and conformance infrastructure and its role in providing ‘national leadership by delivering accreditation programs that facilitate the availability of accredited facilities to meet national interest and public benefit objectives.’