“We already have ISO certification… So why should we bother with accreditation?”

I have been asked this question by labs in Dubai, inspection bodies in Africa, training providers in Australia — and even consultants around the world.

And every time, my answer is the same:

Certification proves your system works. Accreditation proves you can be competent and trusted.

Let’s break that down — in a simple way, without the usual ISO jargon.

So, What Is Accreditation?

You want to fly on an airline. The airline says its planes are safe. But would you trust that claim… if the aviation authority had not inspected and approved them?

That’s what accreditation does in the conformity assessment.

It’s a formal recognition by an independent, government-authorized Accreditation Body (AB) — that you are competent, impartial, and operating to international standards.

It applies to:

• Testing and Calibration Laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025)
• Inspection bodies (ISO/IEC 17020)
• Management System Certification bodies (ISO/IEC 17021-1)
• Product Certification bodies (ISO/IEC 17065)
• Personnel certification bodies (ISO/IEC 17024)

They verify:

• Are your test results technically valid?
• Are your auditors impartial and qualified?
• Are your systems aligned with ISO/IEC standards?

If the answer is yes, you are accredited.

Accreditation vs Certification (And Why It Matters Globally)

Accreditation vs Certification

A test report from an accredited lab in Germany can be accepted without retesting in Japan or India — thanks to global agreements like ILAC and IAF.

So if you want to be part of international supply chains, government contracts, or high-stakes programs (like GHG, food safety, or medical testing), accreditation is not optional anymore — it is expected.

Why Accreditation Matters — Globally

A test report from an accredited lab in Germany can be accepted in Japan or the UAE — without re-testing — because of international agreements like ILAC MRA and IAF MLA.

This is not just paperwork. It’s global trust.

If you’re involved in:

• Government tenders
• International supply chains
• Sectors like GHG, food safety, medical testing etc.

…then accreditation is not optional. It’s expected.

Why It Matters More Than Ever in 2025

We live in a world where:

• Fake certifications are circulating online
• Regulators demand traceability
• Customers ask: Can I trust this result?

Accreditation answers that — with evidence.

It shows:

• Your process works — and you can prove it.
• Your results are valid — anywhere in the world.
• Your team is competent — and regularly evaluated

Real Stories From the Field

• A gold testing lab in the UAE lost a major export deal to Europe. Why? Their results were not from an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited lab recognized by ILAC.
• An inspection body in Kenya could not bid for a cross-border infrastructure project, the reason is simple: no ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation, no entry.
• A training provider in the Philippines got their ISO 9001 certification — but clients still rejected their auditor certificates. Why? They were not ISO/IEC 17024 accredited for personnel schemes.

These are not exceptions. They are becoming the norm.

Why You Should Care — Even If You are Small or New

Whether you are:

• A lab building client trust
• A certification body aiming to scale
• A startup offering exams and training

Accreditation is your trust badge.

It says:

• You take quality, competence, and impartiality seriously.
• You are not just checking boxes, you are setting standards.

Let’s Wrap It Up

“Accreditation does not slow you down. It gets you recognition in the room.”

— A client told me this after finally landing a huge contract — 3 months after achieving accreditation.

In a world of noise, doubt, and rising quality expectations, accreditation is your credibility & recognition. It is what separates the professionals from the pretenders.

If this helped you understand accreditation better — or if you have been through an accreditation journey — I would like to hear your story.

Drop a comment below, or feel free to share this with someone who’s still unsure if accreditation is worth it.

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See you next week,
— Jasmin Dhakaan