GLOBAC – the new organisation that will bring together the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) to become a single global accreditation organisation, is a step closer following a recent vote by ILAC and IAF members.
NATA is a member of ILAC and while the transition to GLOBAC will commence in early 2026 and is expected to take several years to fully implement, there will be no material changes for NATA or the role of accreditation for its members.
Until the Transition Date and the process of establishing the internal processes and procedures of GLOBAC is completed, IAF and ILAC shall maintain normal operations with no changes.
This means the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (IAF MLA) and the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC MRA) shall remain operational for signatory accreditation bodies, including NATA, and conformity assessment bodies accredited by them.
Establishment of the Global Accreditation Cooperation
The International Accreditation Forum (IAF)
The IAF was formed in 1993, and is a global association of accreditation bodies, certification body associations and other stakeholders involved in conformity assessment activities in a variety of fields including management systems, validation/verification, products, services and personnel.
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC)
ILAC which was formed in 1996 with NATA as a founding member and is the international authority on laboratory, inspection body, proficiency testing provider and reference material producer accreditation, with a membership consisting of accreditation bodies and affiliated organisations throughout the world.
Two worlds combined
In 2019, the members of IAF and ILAC made the decision to establish a single international organisation for accreditation to replace IAF and ILAC and in 2024 the IAF and ILAC membership agreed the Constitution and General Rules for a new organisation.
The transition date for GLOBAC to become operational and to take over the roles of IAF and ILAC has been provisionally set at January 2026, representing the start of a process which will take several years.
Specifying the use of Accreditation after the Transition Date
Once GLOBAC becomes operational, it is expected that the members of IAF and ILAC will transfer to GLOBAC.
However, with regulations and specifications worldwide, currently specifying the use of accredited services under the IAF MLA or the ILAC MRA, may take some time to be amended to refer to GLOBAC instead of IAF or ILAC.
NATA will work with respective Government partners, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders to begin the transition of the references following the Transition Date and will continue to provide ongoing updates on the transition for its Members.