The landscape of conformity assessment, where standards, certification, testing, and inspection intersect, is undergoing a significant evolution. On 1 January 2026, the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated officially commenced full operations, marking a new chapter in how international accreditation is governed and recognised globally.
Underpinned by the long-standing work of two cornerstone organisations – the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) – this new entity consolidates previously separate accreditation frameworks into a unified global structure.
A Unified Global Voice
For decades, the IAF and ILAC played critical roles in building confidence in accredited conformity assessment results through their respective multilateral recognition arrangements (MLAs and MRAs). These arrangements enabled certificates and reports issued by accreditation bodies around the world to be accepted across borders, reducing duplication and helping enable global trade.
Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated builds on that legacy by offering one organisation, one governance framework, and one multilateral recognition arrangement that covers all scopes previously recognised under ILAC and IAF. This approach simplifies the global accreditation landscape and strengthens the foundation of trust that underpins conformity assessment worldwide.
More Efficient, Stronger Trust
One of the key drivers for this transition is the need to streamline and harmonise accreditation practices, reducing duplication, enhancing consistency, and providing a clearer pathway for mutual recognition of internationally accredited conformity assessment results.
From a practical standpoint, this means that regulators, industry, and consumers can increasingly rely on accreditation decisions and the certificates issued by accredited conformity assessment bodies (CABs) without navigating multiple overlapping frameworks. A single Multilateral Recognition Arrangement also fosters a more robust international acceptance of conformity assessment outcomes, helping to break down technical barriers to trade and promote smoother global market access.
Continuity With Stability
While the launch represents a major organisational shift, continuity is a priority. The scopes of accreditation and existing recognitions that industry, regulators, and consumers depend upon remain in place during the transition. Certificates issued under the old IAF and ILAC arrangements continue to be recognised, and there are no service interruptions as the systems migrate to the new structure.
This measured approach helps ensure stability for businesses and conformity assessment bodies that rely on accredited services, from ISO certification to laboratory testing, inspection, verification, and beyond.
What It Means for Organisations and Accreditation Bodies
For accreditation bodies, the new cooperation broadens the opportunities to participate in a single global arrangement and contributes technical and policy input into the evolution of international accreditation practices. For conformity assessment bodies and end-users, it promises greater clarity, reliability, and mutual recognition across markets.
The streamlined framework also aligns with long-term objectives such as “accredited once, accepted everywhere” – a principle that enhances competitiveness, reduces costs associated with repeated assessments, and supports international trade.
Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated represents a meaningful step forward in shaping the future of global accreditation. By unifying governance and recognition under one organisation, it reinforces accreditation’s role as a cornerstone of international trust and quality infrastructure. As the new body continues to embed its Multilateral Recognition Arrangement and engage with stakeholders globally, the benefits of consistency, transparency, and mutual acceptance will ripple through industries, regulators, and markets alike.
Where quality, safety, and compliance are increasingly global concerns, a unified accreditation system strengthens confidence in conformity assessment and in the products, services, and management systems that organisations worldwide depend on.
