Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) refer to testing and calibration laboratories, certification bodies and inspection bodies. They provide conformity assessment services and issue certificates and reports which show results if products and services meet the applicable standards.
CABs accredited by Singapore Accreditation Council have been assessed according to internationally-recognised standards to demonstrate their competence, impartiality and performance capability to offer specified conformity assessment services such as testing, calibration, inspection and certification. Accreditation provides customers and regulatory authorities the added confidence in the certificates and reports issued by these CABs. Certificates issued by accredited CABs may be perceived on the market as having more credibility.
Benefits to regulators
Regulations include compliance with a national or an international standard, technical specification or code of practice, and may contain additional requirements set by the regulator (such as product labeling specifications), to safeguard public interests.
To demonstrate the compliance or conformance with these regulations, regulators may also require the conformity assessments to be conducted by accredited CABs. Accreditation by an independent third party gives regulators greater confidence and trust in the services provided by the CABs as they have been assessed by an independent body for their competency based on international standards.
Benefits to companies
Using accredited CABs offer multiple benefits for companies. They provide a marketing opportunity and boost their image and status with their customers and stakeholders of the companies’ credibility or assurance in their products and services having been tested and certified by reliable CABs.
Companies may also avoid costly retesting, reinspection or recertification for overseas market access as the SAC’s extensive network of MRAs with 90 partners provide worldwide recognition.
Benefits to CABs
Accreditation by SAC ensures the impartiality and competence of CABs and fosters stakeholders’ confidence and acceptance of the CAB's certifications and reports. The benefits include :
- Transparency in CABs’ capabilities and services
- Fair competition amongst CABs
- Improved service quality of CABs
Other benefits to CABs include the inculcation of quality mindset in staff, continuous improvement opportunities through the exchanges with SAC assessors, additional customer confidence, and improved reputation of CABs.
In a global marketplace, where compliance with international standards may be either a requirement or an advantage, the use of accredited certificates or reports may be a necessity for acceptance and trade access. This acceptance is enhanced if the CABs are accredited by an accreditation body such as SAC that is a signatory of the mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), and/or the regional co-operations such as the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC) and the Asia-Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC).
In short, with accreditation, companies have a strategic business tool for added confidence and trust in the products and services they offer.