AIQI Member Spotlight -The Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated
About the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated
The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) is the international authority on laboratory, inspection body, proficiency testing provider and reference material producer accreditation, with a membership consisting of accreditation bodies and affiliated organisations throughout the world.
Similarly, The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) is a global association of accreditation bodies, certification body associations and other stakeholders involved in conformity assessment activities in a variety of fields including management systems, validation/verification, products, services and personnel.
IAF and ILAC’s role in AI Assurance
Since their formation, both organisations have promoted the worldwide acceptance of conformity assessment results by conformity assessment bodies accredited by their accreditation body members. They have further promoted the increased use and acceptance by industry, regulators and governments of the results from accredited conformity assessment bodies (such as laboratories, inspection bodies, certification bodies, proficiency testing providers, reference material producers, and validation and verification bodies).
In 2019, the members of IAF and ILAC made the decision to establish a single international organisation for accreditation that will replace IAF and ILAC.
Following extensive work and discussions within IAF and ILAC in 2024, the IAF and ILAC membership agreed the Constitution and General Rules for a new organisation, to take over the existing roles of both IAF and ILAC. Following the annual meetings of IAF and ILAC in October 2024, the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (hereinafter referred to as The Cooperation) was registered in New Zealand in December 2024.
The Operations Launch Date for The Cooperation to become operational and to replace the roles of IAF and ILAC is provisionally January 2026; more information on the exact date for the Operations Launch will be issued by late August 2025.
When The Cooperation becomes operational on the Operations Launch Date, it is expected that the members of IAF and ILAC will become members of The Cooperation.
The Cooperation supports the AIQI Consortium’s initiative to develop ethical AI standards and will continue to engage with the AIQI Consortium as it continues to grow. As ILAC and IAF we encourage our membership to learn the mission of AIQI and participate in the activities of the Consortium and its working groups.
Enquiries:
The Cooperation’s Executive Committee, through its Secretariat, shall keep IAF and ILAC Members and Stakeholders informed about the progress.