The United Kingdom Accreditation Service is proposing to establish a project to develop accreditation for ISO/IEC 17029 Conformity assessment — General principles and requirements for validation and verification bodies of ISO 14067:2018 Greenhouse gases — Carbon footprint of products — Requirements and guidelines for quantification.

Several core EU policies require or benefit from footprint data calculated and verified under ISO 14067

• EU Green Claims Directive: Imposes strict anti-greenwashing rules, requiring environmental and climate claims (such as “carbon neutral”) to be scientifically substantiated using standardized quantification.
• Digital Product Passports (DPP): Mandates precise product-level carbon data for access to sectors like batteries, textiles, and electronics. ISO 14067 provides the structure to meet these transparency thresholds.
• Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): Requires accurate, verifiable reporting of embedded greenhouse gas emissions for imported goods.
• Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR): Expands sustainability and circularity rules across broad product groups, increasingly necessitating Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs).

From this announcement, UKAS will determine the demand and priority for developing accreditation in this area. Therefore, please could you register your interest in this activity to UKAS via email (developmentenquiries@ukas.com) by 3rd July  2026.

Organisations that wish to participate are asked to provide the following information:

• Name of organisation
• Confirm whether your interest is in assisting with the development of the assessment/or as a potential pilot project applicant
• Status of any current accreditation
• Current involvement in validation and verification activities in the sustainability sector
• Current activity – are you already working with clients in this area

Organisations that submit an expression of interest will be invited to attend the meeting of interested parties where the terms of the project will be discussed along with a proposed timeline for key stages and any phased approach process that is deemed necessary. Following this meeting, conformity assessment bodies will be required to submit a formal application to UKAS for the scope of accreditation sought and an agreement to the terms and conditions of the pilot programme before their participation is confirmed. There will be an opportunity to ask any scope specific questions on the details of the pilot programme at this stage.

Please note that if a development project was established a pilot programme will be required whereby there would be a development fee associated with participation in addition to the normal assessment fees.

UKAS is currently gauging the potential level of interest in this area so would also like to hear from technical experts that may wish to support UKAS as a stakeholder to provide expertise and support to the development of accreditation criteria and process.

Please note that submitting an expression of interest does not indicate any commitment to participate in the project on the part of the interested parties, and nor does the acceptance of an expression of interest commit UKAS to accept the interested party on any future pilot project.

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World Accreditation Day is always a significant moment for us as the UK’s National Accreditation Body. It gives us the opportunity to reflect on the role accreditation plays in society, in the economy and in the everyday systems that people rely on, often without even knowing it. 

The theme for World Accreditation Day 2026, Innovation, Trust and Sustainability: The Power of Accreditation feels especially timely. 

It brings together three strands that are central to the future of accreditation and the wider quality infrastructure. Innovation is changing the world around us at extraordinary speed. Trust is becoming more important, and more fragile, in a complex and increasingly digital society. Sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern; it is fundamental to long-term resilience, competitiveness and public confidence. 

At UKAS, our purpose is clear: to safeguard public trust in conformity assessment. 

That purpose matters because most people cannot directly assess whether a laboratory, inspection body, certification body or validation and verification body is competent, impartial and reliable and operating to internationally recognised standards. They cannot see the full technical process behind a test result, an inspection report, a certification decision or a sustainability claim. They rely on a global system of confidence created by a network of national accreditation bodies, like UKAS. 

Our work as the national accreditation body contributes to the trust others place in accredited conformity assessment. That confidence supports regulation, enables trade, protects consumers, strengthens markets and helps organisations demonstrate that they are operating with competence and integrity. 

Matt Gantley, UKAS Chief Executive, says: “World Accreditation Day is an opportunity to recognise our contribution. But it is also imperative that we look forward. We are facing a bend in the road. Technologically, politically, environmentally and societally, the world is changing quickly. The challenge for all of us is to be prepared to travel in the same direction. 

“That means re-evaluating, resetting, reframing and reinforcing the quality infrastructure so that it remains fit for the future. It also means recognising that standards, metrology, conformity assessment and accreditation cannot operate as isolated silos. In a world shaped by complex technologies, global supply chains, digital systems and accelerating innovation, the value of the quality infrastructure will increasingly depend on how well the whole system works together. 

“That is why the 2026 World Accreditation Day theme is so powerful. Innovation, trust and sustainability are not separate priorities. They are deeply connected. Innovation needs trust if it is to be adopted safely and successfully. Trust needs accreditation if it is to be grounded in competence, impartiality and consistency. Sustainability needs credible assurance if claims are to stand up to scrutiny and drive real change.” 

For much of its history, conformity assessment has been understood through the lens of compliance: meeting a standard, satisfying a regulatory requirement, gaining access to a market or demonstrating that a product, process or organisation conforms to specified requirements. 

That role remains essential. Trust in conformity assessment depends on technical competence, consistent operational reliability and professional integrity. But the future asks more of us. 

Increasingly, in the era of artificial intelligence and interconnected technologies, the value of accreditation and conformity assessment will also be judged by how effectively it supports performance beyond compliance. That means helping organisations manage future risk, improve resilience, anticipate failure, strengthen supply chains, reduce waste and make better decisions. 

Within the TIC (Testing, Inspection and Certification) sector there is already a marked change in the direction of travel. Assurance mechanisms are moving from the assessment of physical products, assets and processes towards the assessment of digital systems, datasets, software, algorithms and AI-enabled technologies. This does not mean replacing human expertise, rather augmenting it so we can assess more intelligently, identify risk earlier and provide greater confidence in systems that are becoming more complex. It means using technology to improve the way we audit, verify more precisely and enhance control and risk management. 

Artificial intelligence is central to this change. UKAS co-founded the AIQI Consortium with the TIC Council and to date this has trained more than 7,000 professionals on AI management systems across the globe. UKAS has also granted the first accreditation for artificial intelligence management systems, demonstrating how accreditation is evolving to support emerging technologies. In parallel, initiatives such as the digitalisation of accreditation schedules show how UKAS is modernising its own services to enhance transparency, efficiency and accessibility. 

Sustainability is another defining priority of our time. Accreditation supports environmental protection, resource efficiency and climate action by ensuring that sustainability claims are credible, measurable and verified. From carbon reporting and energy management to circular economy initiatives, accredited services help organisations demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices with confidence and transparency. 

This year’s World Accreditation Day marks a significant milestone for the global accreditation community through the formation of Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI), which began operations on 1 January 2026. As a unified international organisation for laboratory and certification accreditation, Global ACI represents a new era of collaboration, alignment and global confidence in conformity assessment. 

Juliette Love, Executive Director – Technical at UKAS says: “Accreditation provides the foundation for trust in an increasingly complex and interconnected world—enabling innovation to flourish while ensuring that sustainability claims are credible and verified. In this new era of global collaboration through Global  ACI, UKAS remains committed to delivering confidence in the systems and services that underpin modern life.” 

On this World Accreditation Day, we celebrate the powerful role played by accreditation enabling progress, building confidence and supporting a sustainable future. UKAS remains committed to advancing accreditation as a cornerstone of quality and trust in the ever-evolving global landscape. 

We also recognise the people behind accreditation—the technical experts, assessors and organisations whose dedication ensures the robustness and credibility of the system which is essential for maintaining confidence in the quality infrastructure.

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Each year, World Environment Day offers a moment to reflect on progress and to refocus efforts on the environmental challenges that continue to shape our future. In 2026, the message is clear: ambition alone is no longer enough. The global priority is shifting firmly towards practical, measurable solutions that build resilience and deliver lasting change.

For organisations across the UK, this shift is already underway. Environmental responsibility is no longer a standalone initiative or a compliance exercise; it is increasingly embedded within core business strategy. At the centre of this transformation is a familiar but evolving framework: ISO 14001.

A standard evolving with the times

The revised ISO 14001 standard reflects the changing expectations placed on organisations. Where earlier versions focused on establishing structured environmental management systems, the 2026 update pushes further by encouraging organisations to align environmental performance with broader business goals and global challenges such as climate change.

This evolution matters. It signals that environmental management systems are no longer just about identifying impacts and maintaining controls. They are increasingly focused on understanding environmental risks and opportunities and considering impacts across products, services and supply chains.

Climate change, biodiversity and the availability of natural resources are becoming more prominent considerations, alongside supply chain influence and lifecycle thinking. Together, they reinforce the idea that environmental responsibility extends well beyond an organisation’s immediate operations.

Environmental performance is increasingly connected to organisational governance, risk management and decision-making. It is no longer something that can sit solely with specialist teams; it requires engagement across the organisation.

As explored in UKAS insights on ISO 14001 revisions, these changes represent a broader shift towards management systems that are more integrated with business strategy and better equipped to respond to evolving environmental risks.

From systems to confidence

As expectations grow, so too does the need for confidence that environmental management systems are not only in place but are effective.

This is where accredited certification plays a vital role. UKAS-accredited certification provides independent assurance that an organisation’s environmental management system meets recognised standards and is being applied consistently. In a landscape where environmental claims are increasingly scrutinised, that assurance is critical.

It moves organisations beyond self-declaration and towards something far more valuable: trusted, evidence-based performance. As expectations increase, organisations are expected not only to implement environmental management systems but also to demonstrate that those systems are delivering their intended outcomes.

The economic case for environmental action

What is becoming increasingly clear is that environmental performance and economic performance are not competing priorities. They are closely linked.

Organisations with robust accredited management systems are often better equipped to manage risk, respond to change and operate efficiently. Over time, this translates into tangible benefits, whether through cost savings, improved resilience or enhanced reputation.

This is reflected in UKAS research on the economic value of accredited certification, which highlights how management systems contribute not only to compliance but to wider organisational performance and long-term value.

In this sense, standards like ISO 14001 are not just environmental tools. They are business tools that help organisations navigate complexity while maintaining a clear focus on sustainability.

A moment for meaningful progress

World Environment Day 2026 is ultimately a call to move forward with intent. The frameworks and standards already exist to support meaningful environmental action. The challenge, and the opportunity, lies in how they are used.

ISO 14001, particularly in its updated form, provides a structure for organisations to better understand their impacts, manage environmental risks and opportunities and take informed action. Accreditation ensures that these systems are credible and effective. Together, they create a pathway from commitment to demonstrable impact.

As organisations reflect on their environmental responsibilities this World Environment Day, the focus should not only be on what they aim to achieve but on how they can prove progress along the way.

Because in today’s environment, it is not just action that matters. It is trusted, measurable action that delivers real change.

 

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The United Kingdom Accreditation Service is proposing to establish a project to develop accreditation for ISO/IEC 17029 Conformity assessment — General principles and requirements for validation and verification bodies of ISO 14019-1:2026 Sustainability information Part 1: General principles and requirements for validation and verification Greenhouse gases — Carbon footprint of products — Requirements and guidelines for quantification.

The ISO 14019 series is a globally recognized framework developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to standardize the validation and verification of sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) data. It ensures that corporate sustainability claims are accurate, transparent, and credible.

From this announcement, UKAS will determine the demand and priority for developing accreditation in this area. Therefore, please could you register your interest in this activity to UKAS via email (developmentenquiries@ukas.com) by 26th June 2026

Organisations that wish to participate are asked to provide the following information:

• Name of organisation
• Confirm whether your interest is in assisting with the development of the assessment/or as a potential pilot project applicant
• Status of any current accreditation
• Current involvement in validation and verification activities in the sustainability sector
• Current activity – are you already working with clients in this area

Organisations that submit an expression of interest will be invited to attend the meeting of interested parties where the terms of the project will be discussed along with a proposed timeline for key stages and any phased approach process that is deemed necessary. Following this meeting, conformity assessment bodies will be required to submit a formal application to UKAS for the scope of accreditation sought and an agreement to the terms and conditions of the pilot programme before their participation is confirmed. There will be an opportunity to ask any scope specific questions on the details of the pilot programme at this stage.

Please note that if a development project was established a pilot programme will be required whereby there would be a development fee associated with participation in addition to the normal assessment fees.

UKAS is currently gauging the potential level of interest in this area so would also like to hear from technical experts that may wish to support UKAS as a stakeholder to provide expertise and support to the development of accreditation criteria and process.

Please note that submitting an expressions of interest does not indicate any commitment to participate in the project on the part of the interested parties, and nor does the acceptance of an expression of interest commit UKAS to accept the interested party on any future pilot project.

The post Notification of Intent to Develop Accreditation for the Validation and Verification of ISO 14019-1:2026 Sustainability information Part 1: General principles and requirements for validation and verification appeared first on UKAS.

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is initiating the development of accreditation for ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 for ISO/UNDP 53001 Management Systems supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Project Initiation Session

A project initiation meeting will take place via MS Teams on 11th  June 2026. During this meeting, the project scope, terms, proposed timeline for key stages, and delivery approach will be confirmed.

Organisations seeking to participate in the project are to confirm attendance by emailing developmentenquiries@ukas.com to secure a place. An MS Teams invitation will be issued to confirmed participants ahead of the session.

Information Required from Organisations

Participating organisations will be asked to provide the following details:

• Name of organisation
• Whether your organisation intends to support development activity or participate as a pilot applicant
• Status of any current accreditation
• Current involvement in management systems certification activities within the sustainability sector
• Current activity, including whether you are already working with clients in this area and actively certifying

Next Steps

Following the session, participating conformity assessment bodies will be invited to submit a formal application to UKAS specifying the scope of accreditation sought. Participation in the pilot programme will be confirmed following application and agreement of terms.

Pilot Programme and Fees

The project will proceed through a pilot programme to support development. Participation in the pilot will incur a development fee in addition to standard assessment fees.

Call for Technical Experts

UKAS invites technical experts to support the project as stakeholders, contributing expertise and guidance to the development of accreditation criteria and processes.

Participation Statement

Participation in the initiation session does not commit organisations to participation in the pilot stage. Entry into the pilot programme will be subject to formal application and agreement of terms.

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Each year on 20 May the global measurement community marks World Metrology Day, celebrating the importance of measurement in science, industry and everyday life. The 2026 theme, “Metrology: building trust in policy making”, highlights how reliable measurement underpins evidence-based decisions across society.

While metrology may not always be visible, it affects many aspects of daily life. Measurements help determine the safety of the food we eat, the accuracy of medical tests and the reliability of the products we use. They also support the data used by governments and regulators when developing policies designed to protect people, support innovation and manage complex global challenges.

From climate monitoring and healthcare to trade and emerging technologies, policymakers rely on accurate and comparable data. Behind that data sits a complex measurement infrastructure designed to ensure results are reliable, traceable and internationally recognised.

Metrology, the science of measurement, plays a fundamental role in building this trust. By establishing measurement standards and ensuring traceability to internationally agreed references, metrology provides the foundation for consistent and dependable measurements worldwide.

Trusted measurement also depends on confidence in the organisations performing testing, calibration and inspection. This is where accreditation becomes essential.

Accreditation provides independent assurance that laboratories, calibration providers and other conformity assessment bodies are competent to perform specific activities. By assessing organisations against internationally recognised standards accreditation helps ensure that the data they produce is reliable, consistent and technically valid.

This confidence is vital when measurement results are used to inform policy decisions. Whether monitoring environmental pollution, evaluating medical tests or assessing product safety, policymakers must be able to trust the underlying data.

For example environmental monitoring programmes rely on accredited laboratories to generate reliable data about air quality, water safety and emissions. In healthcare accredited medical laboratories help ensure diagnostic results are accurate and dependable. Across industry and trade calibration laboratories maintain the accuracy of instruments used in manufacturing, safety testing and quality control.

In each of these areas accreditation helps create confidence in the measurements that support important decisions.

Together metrology and accreditation form part of the wider quality infrastructure that supports innovation, safety and international trade. Metrology ensures measurements are traceable and comparable while accreditation confirms that organisations applying those measurements are competent and operating to recognised standards.

This combination provides a strong foundation for trust, not only in measurement results but also in the policies and decisions that rely on them.

At UKAS we are proud to support the UK’s measurement infrastructure by accrediting organisations that deliver testing, calibration, inspection and certification services across a wide range of sectors. Through this work we help build confidence in the data and evidence that underpin regulation, innovation and public policy.

On World Metrology Day we recognise the critical role that measurement and accreditation play in supporting trusted decisions. By ensuring measurements are both accurate and reliable we help provide the evidence base that policymakers, businesses and society depend upon.

Reliable measurements build trusted evidence. Trusted evidence supports informed decisions. Informed decisions help shape a safer, more sustainable and more innovative future.

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UKAS volunteers rolled up their sleeves at a children’s adventure park in Hounslow, greater London, where they helped to plant native species to improve tree cover in a built-up, urban environment. 

Volunteers Saskia Clarke, Jack Gates, Lydia Hunt, Emily Robinson and Nia Somner spent the day at the reforestation site in Hobbledown Heath to plant some of the 350 trees funded by UKAS to celebrate both World Accreditation Day 2025 and our 30th anniversary. 

To plant the anniversary trees, UKAS partnered with Treeapp – a global tree planting organisation that runs reforestation schemes to boost biodiversity and take meaningful climate action. This work makes a positive environmental, social and economic impact that is aligned to the UN sustainability goals. 

The site in Hounslow was chosen as it is close to UKAS’s head office in Staines and offers an opportunity for local school children to learn more about trees in outreach programmes and to enjoy a greener, healthier environment. 

Sustainability Lead at Treeapp, Emily Douglas, explains: “The site was historically a brownfield industrial site, leading to poor soil health. By planting trees, over time this will rehabilitate the soil by binding together the soil structure with the roots and creating channels for water to penetrate deeper into the soil. Our work will also contribute to SDG 15, Life on Land, by creating winding new wildlife corridors through the site; while planting species such as spindle and wild cherry will provide winter food sources for birds and mammals as well as nectar for pollinators. Our work will also contribute to SDG 11, Sustainable Communities, by integrating tree planting into the site for the community to enjoy and will also improve air quality in the long-term – which is particularly important due to the site’s proximity to Heathrow Airport.” 

UKAS’s funding of 350 trees at the site – one for each employee in 2025 – will result in 38.15 tonnes of CO2 being absorbed by the trees across their lifetime; four workdays created for local communities; and 2334.50 M2 of land reforested. 

All UKAS employees are entitled to a day of paid leave when they volunteer for a charity or local community group. 

Speaking about the day, Jack says: “It was very refreshing to spend the day outdoors surrounded by greenery. We learnt a lot about reforestation and rewilding projects and how even a project as small as planting a hedgerow can enable different species to flourish.  

“I love being outdoors and rewilding and reforestation is something that’s close to my heart. The most obvious benefit to planting trees is that the more we plant, the more carbon we can capture and the better this is for all our futures as it mitigates the effects of climate change. Increasing our forest cover also creates new habitats where everything from fungi and insects to plant life and small mammals can flourish.  

“To have the chance to be involved with this project felt like a huge privilege as even a small-scale planting project takes a big step towards helping people in the local community reconnect with nature and understand its importance.” 

Lydia, who is a regular volunteer at Bedfont Lakes nature reserve, adds: “The Treeapp team was very knowledgeable and gave us lots of information about the trees we were planting and the best way to treat them before they go into the ground. We joined volunteers from other local companies and everyone was enthusiastic about why they were there.” 

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For organisations operating within accredited environments, maintaining competence is not just beneficial – it is essential.

Laboratories, certification bodies, inspection organisations and healthcare services rely on skilled professionals to deliver reliable results and maintain trust in their services. Ensuring those professionals have the right knowledge and expertise requires a commitment to continuous learning.

As organisations mark Learning at Work Week, it provides an opportunity to reflect on the important role that learning and professional development play in supporting quality, competence and continual improvement.

The UKAS Academy works with professionals across multiple sectors to support learning that strengthens both individuals and organisations operating within accredited frameworks.

Why learning matters in accredited environments

Accreditation standards place strong emphasis on competence.

Whether working within testing laboratories, certification bodies or healthcare laboratories, organisations must demonstrate that their personnel have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience to perform their roles.

Conformity assessment standards require organisations to ensure that employee competence is maintained and regularly evaluated.

Learning therefore plays a critical role in supporting compliance with these standards.

But beyond compliance, ongoing professional development also helps individuals stay on top of evolving best practices, emerging technologies and changing regulatory expectations.

Supporting a culture of continuous improvement

Learning at Work Week highlights the value of creating workplaces where learning is encouraged and supported. A strong learning culture brings significant benefits for teams. It can help:

• strengthen their understanding of accreditation standards
• identify opportunities for improving quality systems
• develop skills that support effective auditing and assessment
• respond confidently to changes in technical or regulatory requirements
• develop high performing teams.

By embedding learning into everyday practice, organisations can strengthen both competence and resilience.

Learning that reflects real-world challenges

Interpreting accreditation standards, implementing quality management systems and maintaining compliance across evolving requirements requires specialised expertise.

Training programmes offered through the UKAS Academy are designed to support professionals facing these challenges.

Courses provide practical guidance on topics such as:

• understanding accreditation standards
• implementing quality management systems
• preparing for accreditation assessments
• conducting effective internal audits.

This practical focus helps professionals apply their learning directly within their organisations.

Flexible learning for modern workplaces

One of the key themes of Learning at Work Week is the importance of making learning accessible and relevant to modern working environments. The UKAS Academy offers a range of learning formats designed to support professionals across different sectors and roles.

These include:

• virtual classroom training
• blended learning programmes
• instructor-led workshops
• self-paced digital learning modules.

This flexible approach allows organisations to support learning while balancing operational priorities.

Investing in people and capability

Investing in professional development helps organisations build the capability needed to operate confidently. When teams understand the standards and frameworks that govern their work, they are better equipped to maintain effective systems, identify opportunities for improvement and contribute to organisational success.

Learning at Work Week provides an opportunity to celebrate the value of learning, but it also highlights the importance of making learning an ongoing priority throughout the year.

Professional development is a long-term commitment

While Learning at Work Week offers a moment to reflect on the importance of professional development, building competence requires a long-term commitment to learning.

Through its training programmes, the UKAS Academy supports professionals as they continue to develop the knowledge and skills required to operate within accredited environments. By investing in learning, organisations can strengthen the competence of their teams, support effective quality systems and maintain confidence in the services they provide.

Explore learning opportunities with the UKAS Academy

Learning at work is, of course, relevant all year round; however this special week in the calendar is a great time to pause and reflect on how your organisation is addressing and prioritising the learning needs of your teams. To support you on your journey, UKAS Academy is offering a discount of 10% on all training courses booked during Learning at Work Week with code LAW10.

Courses support professionals across laboratories, certification bodies, healthcare organisations and inspection services, helping teams build the knowledge needed to maintain competence and strengthen quality systems.

Learning may begin with a single course, but its impact can support organisations for years to come.

Explore our upcoming courses today.

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The Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated officially came into operation on 1 January 2026, ushering in a new, streamlined era for international accreditation cooperation. The organisation brings together the former roles and activities of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation () and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) into a single, unified global body, providing greater coherence, efficiency and clarity for accreditation stakeholders worldwide.

Leadership arrangements for the new organisation were agreed at the final ILAC and IAF meetings held in Bangkok in October 2025, ensuring continuity and stability through the transition. Brahim Houla (GAC, Gulf States) was appointed President, with Emanuele Riva (Accredia, Italy) appointed Vice Chair. Chairs and Vice Chairs of Global ACI’s committees were subsequently confirmed via online ballots during the first quarter of 2026, enabling broad member engagement from the outset.

Global ACI brings together accreditation bodies and stakeholders from 142 countries, reflecting its truly global reach and reinforcing international confidence in accreditation as a critical enabler of trade, regulation and public trust. UKAS is an active member and continues to play a strong role in shaping the organisation’s technical and strategic direction.

In mid‑April 2026, the organisation formally introduced its operating acronym, Global ACI, together with a new logo and website (www. global-aci.org) that reflects its integrated global mission. Shortly afterwards, Global ACI held its first full round of committee meetings in Prague during the week commencing 20 April 2026, marking an important milestone in moving from transition to delivery.

The Prague meetings included sessions of the three Technical Committees:

• TC1 – Laboratories and related activities
• TC2 – Inspection
• TC3 – Certification and Verification

UKAS participated actively across all three Technical Committees, underlining its ongoing commitment to international collaboration. Adam Ward (UKAS) was confirmed as Vice Chair of Technical Committee 3, strengthening UKAS’s contribution to the development of accreditation policy and practice in the certification and verification space.

UKAS representatives also took part in the Accreditation Committee, which provides oversight of ISO/IEC 17011 and cross‑standard issues, and the Arrangements Committee, which is responsible for the Global ACI Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MRA). The new MRA replaces the former ILAC MRA and IAF MLA, offering a single, simplified framework to support international recognition and confidence in accredited conformity assessment.

Further meetings during the week included the Stakeholder Committee, Development Support Committee and Communications Committee, highlighting Global ACI’s strong emphasis on external engagement, transparency and effective communication with regulators, industry and other interested parties.

The week concluded with a meeting of the General Assembly and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with key international partners, including the World Anti‑Doping Agency (WADA), the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). These agreements underline Global ACI’s commitment to close cooperation with international organisations, strengthening alignment between accreditation, standardisation, regulation and global development objectives.

The General Assembly also provided members with an opportunity to align on priorities and next steps. While committees are naturally in their early forming and norming stages, discussions demonstrated strong momentum and a shared commitment to success. Considerable progress was made in clarifying terms of reference, committee structures and approaches to sub‑committees and working groups, laying solid foundations for effective and inclusive delivery.

Overall, the launch of Global ACI represents a positive and forward‑looking step for the global accreditation community, offering greater alignment, reduced duplication and a stronger collective voice. For members such as UKAS, it provides an enhanced platform to influence international accreditation policy, support global confidence in accredited conformity assessment, and deliver tangible benefits for regulators, businesses and consumers alike.

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In April 1966 the UK took a decisive step towards trusted measurement, creating a national approach to calibration accreditation that would underpin trade, innovation and safety for decades to come. Sixty years on, UKAS carries that legacy forward—helping ensure that calibration certificates are credible, comparable and accepted worldwide.

A national need for confidence in measurement

In the mid-1960s UK industry made a clear case: exporters and manufacturers needed calibration certificates that overseas customers could trust, supported by stronger measurement standards and better training in measurement science. The Minister of Technology, Frank Cousins, proposed a network of approved laboratories—across both public and private sectors—each authorised to issue calibration certificates within a defined scope. The British Calibration Service was born with a remit to assess these laboratories and provide formal recognition of their competence: the foundations of modern calibration accreditation.

The British Calibration Service: setting the pattern

The service quickly put governance and technical expertise at the heart of the new system. Edgar Barnett, from the Ministry of Aviation, was appointed Director and established both a headquarters and the Minister’s Advisory Committee on Calibration and Measurement headed up by Maurice Banks, Deputy Chairman of BP. The committee brought together respected voices from industry, academia and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) – reflecting an early recognition that measurement is both a practical and a scientific discipline – and set the rules for approving laboratories, strengthening teaching in measurement science and supporting international collaboration.

From the outset, the British Calibration Service introduced concepts that are familiar to accreditation service users today: defined scopes of competence and peer-informed assessment. Early technical panels covered core measurement areas including electrical, mechanical and fluid measurements. Approved laboratories issued certificates bearing the British Calibration Service badge—an early mark intended to signal trust and consistency.

The service also helped bring emerging ideas into mainstream practice—most notably the need to evaluate and communicate measurement uncertainty. By 1968 the first ten laboratories had been accredited, including Coventry Tool and Gauge (accreditation number 0001) as the first mechanical laboratory and Ferranti (0004) as the first electrical laboratory. Laboratories were assessed by a lead assessor from British Calibration Service HQ and a technical assessor from the relevant technical panel. Assessments considered people, facilities and environmental conditions, reference standards and traceability, equipment and documented procedures—principles still central to competent calibration accreditation today.

Over the years the service evolved within government, reflecting both the growing importance of measurement to the economy and the need to keep accreditation close to technical expertise. By the early 1980s the number of accredited calibration laboratories had grown from tens to hundreds, supporting an increasingly diverse industrial base.

NAMAS: aligning calibration with testing and international standards

In 1985, calibration accreditation merged with testing accreditation to form the National Measurement Accreditation Service (NAMAS), part of NPL. Calibration expanded well beyond its original core disciplines, reflecting advances in instrumentation and the widening needs of industry—spanning areas such as optical, thermal, radiological, chemical and acoustics measurement. This chapter in the calibration accreditation journey also saw measurement uncertainty take a more formal place in practice, supported by UK guidance that helped laboratories express uncertainty and confidence in results in a consistent way.

NAMAS requirements were a forerunner of today’s ISO/IEC 17025, helping embed consistent technical and quality expectations across the UK calibration community. As standards evolved, accreditation to this standard moved towards what is now recognised globally as best practice for competent laboratories.

UKAS: one national accreditation body, global recognition

In 1995 the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) was formed through the merger of NAMAS and the National Accreditation Council for Certification Bodies (NACCB). For calibration laboratories, this consolidated accreditation within a single national body strengthened alignment with international expectations—particularly as ISO/IEC 17025 became the central standard for demonstrating technical competence.

Over the past 30 years, UKAS calibration accreditation has continued to grow in breadth—from traditional electrical, mechanical and thermal measurements to newer and increasingly specialised areas such as accelerometery, density, dimensional, mass, fibre optics, textile, ultrasonics and volume.

The continuity of our service is also striking: one of the earliest British Calibration Service accreditations—0009, now TÜV SÜD Limited trading as the National Engineering Laboratory—remains accredited today; linking the first decade of the scheme to modern practice.

As calibration accreditation enters its 60th year, UKAS maintains 366 calibration accreditations managed by the Calibration, Inspection and Testing (CIT) Section made up of a Director, five Senior Assessment Managers and 14 Assessment Managers.

These accredited calibration activities support sectors as varied as manufacturing, energy, healthcare, transport, construction and environmental monitoring. Behind each accreditation is the same core aim that inspired the British Calibration Service in 1966: confidence that measurements are traceable, uncertainties are understood and results are produced by competent people using controlled methods.

Accredited calibration laboratories remain a vital part of the UK National Measurement System. They help ensure that everything from routine quality checks to high-stakes measurements in safety-critical industries are based on solid foundations.

Our work extends beyond the UK and we maintain accreditation for customers in many countries including Borneo, China, India and Iceland. As UKAS accreditation is recognised internationally, this helps UK businesses trade with confidence and enables global supply chains to rely on measurement results.

UKAS will continue to provide a comprehensive national –  and international – service for the calibration of measuring instruments of all kinds in the decades ahead. This will support innovation in measurement and ensure that confidence in results keeps pace with future technologies, risks and opportunities.

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Each year on 7 April, the global community marks World Health Day, organised by the World Health Organization to highlight the importance of improving health and wellbeing worldwide. The theme for 2026, “Together for health. Stand with science.”, recognises the vital role that science plays in protecting public health and addressing global health challenges.

Behind every diagnosis, treatment decision and public health policy lies scientific evidence. That evidence begins in laboratories, testing facilities and research environments where data is generated, analysed and interpreted.

For healthcare professionals and policymakers to rely on that data they must have confidence that the results are accurate, consistent and trustworthy.

This confidence is supported by a network of standards, testing and independent verification that helps ensure healthcare systems can rely on the scientific evidence they use.

When testing accuracy matters

Consider the role of diagnostic testing.

When a patient is suspected to have cancer, they will have scans and biopsies taken.  Clinicians rely on the results to help determine the next steps in treatment. A small variation in measurement can influence decisions about treatment, further investigation or monitoring. When the patient undergoes treatment, small variations in measurement can influence whether the correct dose of chemo/radiotherapy is given or the precise location of the tumour targeted.

At a national level, diagnostic testing also supports public health surveillance. Laboratories generate data that helps health authorities understand patterns of disease, monitor outbreaks and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.

The reliability of this information depends on laboratories operating to recognised standards and demonstrating that they are technically competent to carry out the tests they perform.

This is where accreditation plays an important role.

Supporting confidence in health services

Accreditation provides independent assurance that organisations carrying out testing, inspection and certification are competent to perform specific activities.

In healthcare this includes medical laboratories that analyse patient samples, physiological science services that perform hearing tests and heart function tests, organisations that test medical devices and laboratories that monitor environmental factors such as air or water quality that can affect public health.

By assessing organisations against national and internationally recognised standards accreditation helps ensure that test results are reliable and that healthcare professionals can trust the data they receive.

Accreditation also supports confidence beyond clinical settings. It plays a role in verifying the safety and performance of medical technologies, supporting pharmaceutical development and ensuring that healthcare systems operate in line with recognised quality frameworks.

A system that supports trusted science

Healthcare relies on a broader system designed to support scientific reliability and transparency.

Standards provide agreed frameworks for how testing, diagnostic services, and healthcare systems should operate. Measurement science ensures that instruments and methods produce accurate and comparable results. Conformity assessment activities such as testing and certification demonstrate that requirements are being met.

Accreditation provides independent confirmation that organisations carrying out these activities are competent to do so.

Together these elements form part of the wider quality infrastructure that supports trusted science and evidence-based decision making.

The role of accreditation in the UK

UKAS accredits medical laboratories, diagnostic testing services and organisations that support the safety and performance of medical technologies. These services help ensure that the data used by clinicians, regulators and policymakers is reliable and robust.

Accreditation provides a structured framework for quality assurance, ensuring that healthcare organisations operate in line with the robust requirements of international standards for competence and integrity. This is particularly vital in medical fields where accuracy, precision, and risk management are critical.

Key benefits of accreditation in healthcare include:

• Patient safety – Ensuring that services follow rigorous clinical protocols, reducing errors and improving outcomes.
• Consistency and reliability – Validating that diagnostic tests and procedures provide dependable and reproducible results.
• Professional competence – Verifying that healthcare professionals have the required skills and expertise.
• Regulatory confidence – Supporting compliance with national and international healthcare regulations.

As the UK’s National Accreditation Body, UKAS assesses healthcare organisations against nationally and internationally recognised standards, including ISO 15189:2022, BS 70000:2017 and IQIPS: 2023, to ensure they provide services that patients and healthcare professionals can trust.

Standing with science

The message of World Health Day 2026 is a reminder that protecting public health requires collaboration across many different disciplines.

Scientists, healthcare professionals, regulators and laboratories all contribute to the evidence base that supports better health outcomes. Standards, testing and accreditation help ensure that this evidence can be trusted.

By providing independent assurance of competence accreditation supports the systems that allow science to translate into practical action.

From the results of a single blood test to the data that informs national health policy, trusted science plays a central role in protecting communities and improving lives.

On World Health Day we recognise the importance of standing with science and the systems that help ensure scientific evidence remains reliable, credible and ready to support better health for all.

For healthcare providers looking to enhance the quality and credibility of their services, accreditation is not just a requirement—it is a powerful tool in shaping a healthier future. Find out more about how UKAS accreditation underpins patient safety and care here.

 

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Accredited management systems certification helps UK businesses achieve stronger performance and greater resilience during economic disruption, according to new research commissioned by The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

The study analysed nearly two decades of business data covering more than 34,000 firms certified to ISO 9001 and over 14,000 firms certified to ISO 14001. By linking UKAS certification records with firm-level financial data, the research represents the largest study to date examining the economic value of accredited management systems certification in the UK.

The findings show that firms holding accredited certification generally report higher levels of revenue and productivity than comparable non-certified businesses. Certified firms were also more resilient during major economic shocks including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and energy price volatility.

Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular benefited from accredited certification, with management systems providing organisational structure and risk management capabilities that helped businesses adapt during periods of instability.

The research also highlights the widespread adoption of ISO 9001 quality management systems and ISO 14001 environmental management systems across the UK economy. Manufacturing and construction account for a significant proportion of certifications, although service sectors including professional services, retail and administrative activities also demonstrate strong uptake.

Matt Gantley, CEO at UKAS, said:

“Accredited management systems certification provides organisations with more than a compliance framework. It strengthens governance, embeds continuous improvement and builds the organisational discipline that enables businesses to perform and adapt over the long term.”

He added:

“This research reinforces the role of accredited certification within the UK’s quality infrastructure. Robust management systems help organisations navigate uncertainty, maintain credibility in global markets and support sustainable economic performance.”

While the study found that immediate productivity gains following certification can be modest for recent adopters, the research concludes that certification should be viewed as a long-term investment in organisational capability and resilience.

The full report, The economic value of accredited management systems certification, was produced by researchers from Aston University, the University of Nottingham and Durham University.

The research is based on a large longitudinal dataset combining the UKAS CertCheck certification database with financial data from Moody’s Analytics Orbis covering the period from 2005 to 2024.

Download the report

Full research report
Research summary

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The replay of UKAS’s recent webinar on the ISO 14001:2026 revisions is now available.

During the webinar, the expert panel – chaired by Director of Corporate, Certification and Verification, Leanie Du Toit – explored how rising expectations around environmental performance, transparency and sustainability are shaping the next version of the standard. From climate change and biodiversity to resource use and supply chain impacts, speakers highlighted how these issues are central – not optional -for organisations.

Leanie highlighted the intent behind the revision:

“It is about ensuring ISO 14001 remains current, practical and effective, and continues to support organisations in improving environmental performance in a way that is credible and globally relevant.”

The panel also provided a practical perspective on what the revision is expected to mean in application. While organisations are not expected to rebuild their management systems, a number of targeted updates will require changes to processes, documentation and system design.

There is a clear move towards more explicit and structured requirements, with stronger alignment across clauses and greater emphasis on demonstrating effective environmental performance. This includes more defined expectations around risk and opportunity management, planning of change, supply chain control and the availability of reliable, accessible evidence.

A key takeaway from the session was the importance of early preparation. Organisations are encouraged to begin identifying gaps, raising awareness across teams and embedding sustainability more deeply into decision-making ahead of transition.

The full webinar recording is now available to watch on demand.

Watch the replay

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The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) have signed a Statement of Mutual Support, reinforcing the important relationship between accredited healthcare science services and a professionally registered workforce.

Across the UK, healthcare science underpins the majority of NHS diagnostic and treatment pathways. Accreditation plays a critical role in providing independent assurance that healthcare science services operate to recognised standards, supporting patient safety, quality and confidence across the healthcare system.

By working alongside professional bodies such as AHCS, UKAS helps ensure that services delivering healthcare science are supported by both robust quality systems and a competent, professionally recognised workforce.

Professor Chris Hopkins – President, Academy for Healthcare Science said:

“Professional regulation is fundamental for patient safety. Healthcare scientists deliver highly specialised diagnostic and therapeutic services that directly influence clinical decision making and patient outcomes. Professional registration ensures that these practitioners meet nationally defined standards of competence, ethics and accountability.

The partnership between the Academy for Healthcare Science and UKAS reinforces an important principle: accredited healthcare science services must be underpinned by a professionally registered workforce. When professional registration is embedded alongside robust service accreditation, it provides a powerful assurance of quality, strengthens public confidence, and ensures patients receive care from practitioners who are appropriately trained, competent and accountable.

By working together, the AHCS and UKAS are ensuring that healthcare science services across the UK continue to meet the highest standards of safety, professionalism and clinical excellence.”

The collaboration highlights the complementary roles of accreditation and professional registration in strengthening quality across healthcare science services. Together, UKAS and AHCS will continue to support organisations and professionals in maintaining high standards, encouraging continual improvement, and delivering confidence in the science that underpins patient care.

UKAS looks forward to supporting AHCS continue championing professional registration and accreditation as essential foundations for delivering world-class healthcare science services.

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Mountain Healthcare has become the first Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in the UK to achieve accreditation from The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO 15189:2022, the international medical laboratories standard.

This accreditation represents the formal recognition of the quality and competence of forensic medical examinations undertaken at Mountain Healthcare’s Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire SARCs.  It encompasses a range of SARC services including patient preparation and examination, the collection, transportation, protection and storage of samples, as well as the subsequent interpretation and reporting of results; all within overarching safety and ethical considerations.

The granting of the first UKAS accreditation to a SARC service provider marks the successful culmination of a multi-year development project, reflecting the considerable commitment of a wide range of dedicated sector stakeholders to meet the specialist needs of both patients and clinicians.  Explaining the significance of the award, Angela Shaw, Director of Forensics at UKAS said: “UKAS accreditation provides assurance to some of the most vulnerable members of our society by underpinning confidence in the competence and integrity of the services they are receiving.  This now applies throughout this very sensitive area of the criminal justice system; from the initial specialist patient care and collection of evidence at SARCs, right the way through to longer-term well-being support from accredited organisations such as The Survivors Trust.”

The Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) has stipulated that all SARC service providers must achieve UKAS accreditation for the forensic examination process, with several SARCs currently in the latter stages of the accreditation assessment process.  To give SARCs guidance on the requirements of both ISO 15189 and the FSR’s Code of Practice, UKAS implemented an assisted application process and continues to run series of workshops.

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For inspection organisations, confidence and consistency are fundamental. ISO/IEC 17020 underpins how inspection bodies operate, how impartiality and competence are demonstrated, and how trust in inspection outcomes is maintained. When revisions, clarifications or shifts in interpretation occur, the impact is felt not just at a system level, but in day-to-day inspection practice.

Periods of transition inevitably raise important questions. How should requirements now be interpreted? What does good implementation look like in practice? Where does professional judgement sit alongside documented procedures?

These are critical considerations, particularly given the varied and often high-risk environments in which inspection bodies operate.

Why transition creates risk as well as opportunity

Transition points introduce risk when understanding is inconsistent or incomplete. Differences in interpretation, uncertainty around assessor expectations, or partial implementation can lead to misalignment within organisations and across inspection activities.

At the same time, transition periods offer an opportunity to strengthen systems, clarify understanding and improve consistency. Organisations that approach transition proactively are better placed to maintain confidence during assessment and beyond.

Crucially, successful transition is rarely achieved through documentation review alone. While updating procedures is necessary, it does not always address the practical questions that inspection personnel face when applying requirements in real-world situations.

The importance of shared understanding

Inspection work relies heavily on professional judgement and transition training plays a vital role in developing this shared understanding. By exploring how requirements are interpreted and assessed in practice, training helps inspection professionals:

• Clarify the intent behind revised or clarified requirements

• Understand how changes may affect inspection planning and delivery

• Reduce uncertainty and variation in interpretation

• Align internal understanding with assessment expectations

This shared perspective supports consistency across inspection teams and helps ensure that changes are embedded effectively, rather than superficially.

Preparing for assessment with confidence

One of the most common challenges during transition is uncertainty around how changes will be viewed during assessment. Transition training that reflects real assessment experience helps inspection organisations prepare with greater confidence.

By focusing on application rather than theory alone, this type of learning supports inspection bodies in:

• Identifying where changes genuinely affect practice

• Understanding areas of increased scrutiny

• Strengthening internal discussions and decision-making

• Demonstrating confidence and assurance during assessment

Supporting effective transition through learning

UKAS Academy supports inspection organisations through transition-focused learning that reflects how ISO/IEC 17020 is applied and assessed in practice. Transition training is designed to help organisations move beyond awareness of change, towards confident and consistent implementation.

Engaging with structured transition learning allows inspection professionals to test understanding, explore scenarios and ask practical questions in a supported environment. This supports a smoother transition and helps embed changes in a way that strengthens long-term capability.

Moving forward

Transition is not simply a compliance exercise; it is a critical point in maintaining trust, assurance and credibility. For inspection organisations, investing time in targeted ISO/IEC 17020 transition training can make the difference between uncertainty and confidence, between reactive change and assured implementation.

Approaching transition as a learning opportunity — supported by training grounded in real inspection and assessment practice — helps ensure that inspection bodies remain robust, consistent and well-prepared as expectations continue to evolve.

ISO/IEC 17020:2026 training booking from the end of April

To learn more about transition training with the UKAS Academy or the ISO/IEC 17020:2026 Awareness course with dates from the end of April visit our Inspection training courses page.

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UKAS has published a new AI Technical Bulletin, in partnership with DakkS, to support Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) in the responsible adoption and use of artificial intelligence (AI) within accredited activities.

The Technical Bulletin – available in English and German language formats – provides high-level, internationally aligned guidance on the responsible development, deployment and use of AI technologies by CABs.

As AI technologies continue to develop at pace, CABs are increasingly exploring their use across both internal support functions and conformity assessment processes. UKAS and DakkS are keen to support this innovation while ensuring that the integrity, impartiality and robustness of accreditation are maintained.

The joint bulletin is designed to be read in parallel with the UKAS Technical Bulletin on AI – published in June 2025 – which provides detailed, clause-by-clause guidance aligned to ISO/IEC Level 3 standards. It is designed to support those responsible for implementing and maintaining compliance within accredited organisations.

Juliette Love, Technical Director at UKAS, said: “AI presents a significant opportunity for conformity assessment bodies, but its adoption must be carefully managed to ensure continued confidence in accredited outcomes.

These bulletins are intended to support organisations in understanding how existing requirements apply, rather than introducing new ones, and to encourage a consistent and responsible approach to the use of AI across all sectors.

We are keen to work collaboratively with CABs as this area develops, particularly in sharing practical experiences that can help shape future guidance.”

UKAS is keen to work collaboratively with CABs and stakeholders who are actively developing or exploring AI solutions.

Organisations interested in contributing to future case studies or sharing their experiences are encouraged to get in touch.

 

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As workloads increase and resources are stretched, there can be a temptation to view training as a short-term or transactional activity. Experience across the quality sector consistently shows that the most effective organisations take a more strategic view of learning.

Learning that is treated as an investment in capability — rather than a compliance exercise — delivers longer-term benefits. It supports consistent interpretation of requirements, strengthens professional judgement, and helps individuals respond confidently to new or complex situations.

A blended approach to learning can be particularly effective, combining face-to-face interaction, virtual classrooms and structured eLearning. This creates opportunities for reflection, discussion and shared understanding, while also allowing flexibility around operational demands.

Taking this approach requires time and intent. It involves stepping back to consider where deeper understanding would add the most value, how learning can better support day-to-day decision-making, and how capability can be strengthened across roles and teams. For many organisations and individuals, this means moving away from isolated training events towards more deliberate development pathways.

UKAS Academy contributes to this capability-building approach by supporting professionals across the quality community with learning that reflects how standards and accreditation operate in practice. By engaging with development that focuses on real-world application and shared understanding, individuals and organisations can make more informed choices about how they build and sustain capability as the quality landscape continues to evolve.

As you plan ongoing professional development, consider where learning could move beyond compliance and better support real-world decision-making. Engaging with development that reflects how standards and accreditation operate in practice can help strengthen capability over the long term.

New course dates for 2026 are available to book through the UKAS Academy now. Access the full catalogue here.

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