Accredia: accreditation grows by 4.5%

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Giuseppe Rossi, president of Accredia

According to the data released by Accredia (National Accreditation Body appointed by the Italian government), at the end of 2018 there were 1,776 accredited subjects, with an increase of 4.5% compared to the previous year. The data was communicated on the occasion of the World Accreditation Day, which was dedicated to the strategic role of the accreditation in the international trade. In the global market, tests, inspections and certifications under accreditation are increasingly required because they guarantee selection, quality and traceability of the suppliers. At the end of 2018, the certification and inspection bodies were 365, 4% more than in 2017: they issued over 106 thousand certificates for the management systems (quality, environment, safety at work, etc.). The ISO 9001 certifications are the most widespread, followed by the ISO 14001 environmental certifications and the OHSAS 18001 certifications (health and safety at work). The Testing Laboratory Department also confirmed the growth trend of the accredited laboratories, which in 2018 were 1,222, 4.6% more than in the previous twelve months. Finally, 2018 was a particularly positive year for the Calibration Laboratory Department: the number of laboratories reached 189, up 5% compared to 2017. Last year also marked a significant increase in the calibration certificates released on the market by these laboratories, which almost reached 150 thousand, growing by 15% compared to 2017. “2019 represents a fundamental step in Accredia’s journey, as it marks the ten years since its establishment. In this period – explained Giuseppe Rossi, president of Accredia – the Body has consolidated its presence and its commitment, both nationally (as demonstrated by the increasingly numerous tasks entrusted by the Ministries) and internationally, with the various activities that see us engaged and with the confirmation of the IAF vice-presidency, the world association of the accreditation bodies”.