DAkkS successfully completes EA on-site evaluation

The German Accreditation Body DAkkS has successfully completed the regular on-site evaluation undertaken by the European accreditation organisation (EA). The eleven-member EA evaluation team was hosted by the Berlin office from 19 to 23 September and also took part in 14 DAkkS assessments of conformity assessment bodies nationwide. The evaluators gave DAkkS a good report overall.

DAkkS undergoes an evaluation by the European accreditation organisation at a regular interval of four years. The legal basis for the evaluation is Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008. The evaluation is on the basis of sound and transparent evaluation criteria. It verifies whether the accreditation body meets the requirements of the EU Regulation and the relevant standard ISO/IEC 17011 (“Conformity assessment – General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies”).

In their summary report, the evaluators give both DAkkS as a whole and the assessment teams observed a very good feedback, emphasising the professionalism and commitment of those involved. In the summary report the team recommends that the status of DAkkS as a signatory to EA’s multilateral agreements (MLAs) on mutual recognition in all scopes of accreditation should be confirmed by the EA Multilateral Agreement Council (MAC) confirm. A decision by the EA MAC to maintain the signatory status of DAkkS is expected in the course of the coming year.

The MLAs help to ensure that test reports, inspection certificates or certificates from accredited bodies are recognised both within Europe and around the world. The agreement thus constitutes an important basis for the free movement of goods and the reduction of technical barriers to trade.