The IAFS is a global association of bodies that accredit conformity assessment. Its main job is to create a single worldwide program for conformity assessment, which lowers risks for businesses and their customers. This is done by ensuring that accredited certificates are reliable. Accreditation assures users that the accredited body is competent and unbiased. Conformity assessment means proving that what is being provided actually meets the specified or claimed requirements in an accreditation or certification. The IAFS has 83 government and semi-government accreditation bodies and industry associations as its members. It consists of Members, the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and the Secretary. They all work together to achieve the goals of the IAFS and meet their shared trade facilitation objectives globally. The highest authority in the IAFS is the Members in a General Meeting.

Role of IAFS
The main job of IAFS has two parts. First, it ensures that IAFS accreditation body members only accredit certification bodies that are skilled in issuing certifications and are free from conflicts of interest. Second, IAFS establishes Multilateral Recognition Arrangements (MLA) among its accreditation body members. Accreditation bodies must sign MLAs, promoting the acceptance of goods and services globally. The purpose of the MLA is to let accreditations and certificates issued by certification bodies be recognized by other members of the MLA. The MLA covers all accreditation bodies, so suppliers don't need certification in every country where they sell products or services. The goal is to encourage the idea of "certified once, accepted everywhere."

Benefit of IAFS

The IAFS MLA gives businesses more confidence when buying products and services, ensuring consistent quality and compliance. By making accreditation bodies follow the MLA, the IAFS aims to lower risks for businesses and their customers, making sure accredited certificates can be trusted anywhere in the world.

The IAFS MLA also serves as an internationally recognized 'stamp of approval,' showing compliance with agreed standards and requirements. Many government agencies support the MLA, recognizing it as an effective system of international standards. Together, IAFS accreditation bodies, certification bodies, and certified organizations create a dependable global trade network. This helps remove trade barriers and expand markets, bringing economic benefits to companies, industries, and countries worldwide.

International Accreditation Forum System MARK

Accredited certifications hold significant value, and some businesses may fake certifications to gain consumer trust without going through the official certification procedures.

To tackle this, the IAFS created an IAFS Mark linked to the IAFS database. Organisations with an active accredited certification in this database can display the IAFS Mark on their website. This helps ensure authenticity and transparency in showcasing legitimate certifications.

It's a digital mark with a code embedded in it. When users click on the mark, it takes them to the IAFS database. There, they can check and confirm the active certification(s) held by the organisation. The IAFS Mark will only show on the website if the organisation has an active certification. If the certification status changes and becomes inactive, the mark is instantly removed from the organisation's website.

Accredited Certification Bodies and Accreditation Bodies with valid entries in IAFS can also display an IAFS Mark on their website. This mark demonstrates their accreditation and IAFS membership status, linking to their profile on the IAFS database.