Following a unanimous decision by the German Accreditation Advisory Board (AKB) on 20 August 2026, the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) has submitted an application for membership of Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI). This brings DAkkS closer to full membership of the new international accreditation organisation. As a full member, DAkkS would also become a signatory to the Global ACI Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MRA).

„International cooperation among accreditation bodies is essential for building confidence in the competence of conformity assessment bodies and the international acceptance of their results. With our application for membership of Global ACI, we are continuing this cooperation within the new global structure. As Germany’s national accreditation body, we want to continue contributing our experience and expertise to the further development of accreditation at international level,” says Dr. Torben Frank, Managing Director of DAkkS.

Next steps in the accession process

The application will now enter the Global ACI membership process. DAkkS had already expressed its intention to join Global ACI in a Letter of Intent submitted on 27 December 2025. The application was based on a recommendation by the German Accreditation Advisory Board (AKB), following intensive discussions at European and international level on the necessary amendments to Global ACI’s fundamental documents.

In June 2026, the Global ACI Statutes were amended at a special meeting. The European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) had previously made these amendments a condition for its continued membership of Global ACI. For DAkkS, the amendments were also an essential prerequisite for submitting its application for membership. The application will now be reviewed as part of the membership process. The General Assembly of Global ACI will decide whether to admit DAkkS as a full member. The next General Assembly will take place in Panama from 19 October 2026.

Strengthening international recognition of accreditation

International cooperation is an essential component of a well-functioning accreditation infrastructure. Multilateral recognition arrangements provide a framework for accreditation bodies to recognise one another’s competence and for accredited conformity assessment results to be accepted internationally. This strengthens confidence in testing, calibration, certification and other conformity assessment services.

For companies and other organisations operating internationally, the mutual recognition of accredited conformity assessment can help avoid duplicate testing and additional requirements in different markets. Accreditation can therefore contribute to reducing technical barriers to trade and facilitating international trade.

About Global ACI

Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI) is the international authority on accreditation. It was launched on 1 January 2026 following a decision by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) to establish a single international organisation for accreditation. Activities formerly covered by IAF and ILAC are now covered by Global ACI.

Its members include accreditation bodies, regional cooperation bodies and stakeholder organisations from around the world.

Global ACI operates the Global ACI Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MRA) between its member signatories. The MRA provides a framework for the mutual recognition of accredited certificates, reports and statements worldwide. Peer evaluations of accreditation bodies are an important basis for their participation in regional and international recognition arrangements.