Flexible scopes: certificate annexes simplified and test method lists standardised
Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle (DAkkS) is simplifying the presentation of the flexible scopes of accreditation shown in certificate annexes held by accredited testing laboratories, and standardising the lists of test methods. This measure is part of the change in category designations for flexible scopes, where the new “A, B, C” categories are intended to provide greater clarity. The DAkkS “Consumer Health Protection | Veterinary Medicine” technical unit 3.3 initiated the measure with a pilot project.
The goal of the planned adjustments is to significantly reduce the effort required to prepare accreditation certificates, including annexes, for all parties involved and to significantly reduce the number of associated applications for extension required. The main advantages of these simplified procedures include reduced costs in the accreditation process and clearer and more transparent scopes in certificate annexes, resulting in greater acceptance and better comparability.
The annex to the accreditation certificate describes the limits of the flexible scope of accreditation simply and clearly and makes reference to the detailed list of the laboratory’s test methods. Uniform specifications are defined for the list of test methods. A template is available on the DAkkS website. The cover page of the accreditation certificate remains unchanged.
Expansion of the pilot project and changeover period
The project launched in August 2024 for the testing laboratories covered by technical unit 3.3 gained valuable experience from the change to the shorter form of presentation in a number of pilot procedures. The pilot project is now being gradually expanded to include other technical units.
Starting in March, all applications for initial accreditation in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 and for extensions that include flexible scopes for the first time will also be processed in the technical unit as set out in the new requirements.
Important to know: as is already the case for the ongoing changes to the categories of flexible scopes, the previous presentations in the certificate annexes are equivalent to the new ones and remain valid during the changeover period.
