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This paper is a report on a research project on the economics of accreditation in the UK. The
main motivation and objective for the study is to have available a detailed analysis of how the
accreditation system impinges on important aspects of economic life, such as innovation and
business and economic performance. It aims to improve the general un...
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... on a mathematical model Professor Swann's analysis shows how the effect of each institution in the quality infrastructure is amplified by the role of UKAS. This set of interdependencies and cross-amplifying effects can be usefully represented in a flow chart ( Figure 3). The model can be expressed in mathematical form, enabling identification of the 'multipliers' and so pointing to the scope, and information required for quantification of the internal links in the model and the cumulative effects of the quality infrastructure on the economy. ...
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Objectives. The primary aim of this study was to determine quantitatively the extent of coverage of the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS 015) requirements by guidance checklists (HOKLAS 016-02 and HOKLAS 021). Methods. The level of conformance requirement coverage of HOKLAS 015 by HOKLAS 016-02 and HOKLAS 021 was calculated by an e...
Citations
... Internationally harmonized and recognized standards and CA practices, among others, are vital to avoid unnecessary and burdensome double-testing in cross-border trade [22]. In previous studies, accredited CABs have been associated with positive impacts on the gross domestic product [23][24][25]. Blind et al. [11] also found significant positive effects of standards and certifications on exports, which are enhanced by harmonized procedures and corresponding multilateral recognition agreements. ...
The COVID-19 pandemic posed new and manifold challenges to organizations and their operations worldwide. Conformity assessment bodies (CABs), such as testing or medical laboratories, certification, and inspection bodies, were also affected by the associated disruptions. Their role in this crisis is highly relevant, as CABs are essential pillars of the quality infrastructure: their activities ensure that products and services meet requirements as defined in standards and regulations, thereby contributing to their safety and reliability. The question arises of how CABs and their operations were affected by the pandemic and how they responded. To this end, we present the results of an international survey of 986 CABs of all types in Germany, the UK, Italy, and New Zealand. Overall, CABs reported, on average, a reduction in demand for their services during the pandemic, facing restrictions in all countries. In addition, the pandemic had an overall negative impact on the CABs’ investment and innovation activities. However, investments in digital infrastructure were increased as a countermeasure, with CABs reporting a higher need for digitalization. The paper highlights and discusses results from in-depth analyses relevant to policymakers and industry alike.
... Finally, accreditation help businesses to make informed decisions when procuring conformity assessment and related services. Accreditation helps the government by supporting evidence-based policymaking in relation to accreditation and conformity assessment Lambert, 2014, Frenz andLambert, 2012). A study on accreditation in Australia indicates positive impacts on efficiency, building new knowledge and process innovation (Agarwal et al., 2017). ...
This study explores the contribution of quality infrastructure (QI) to the development of a green economy (GE) using the example of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). It is part of the project Promotion of innovation in the green economy by including quality infrastructure, which the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) implemented on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) from December 2015 to July 2019. Project partners were the regional organizations of the quality infra- structure in Latin America and the Caribbean (COPANT, IAAC and SIM).
... Frenz and Lambert suggested that newly accredited sites may benefit from enhanced reputation and greater ability to market clinical services. [16] Similarly, Manning et al. found that 69% of hospital employees surveyed felt accreditation enhanced their imaging facility's distinction. [11] MaineHealth interviewees, however, with the exception of marketing staff, generally concluded that SWA was unlikely to advance MaineHealth's promotional capability. ...
... One of the most important reasons is that global markets require a growing level of confidence in goods and services. Trade operations are supported by trust in the quality of goods and services provided by suppliers and agents of the transactions (namely, buyers and sellers) [1]. ...
p class="Abstract">Laboratories are the largest group of stakeholders of the International Organization for Laboratory Accreditation (ILAC). The impact of laboratory activities as independent entities that ensure the safety and quality of products and services is growing and becoming a key issue in many fields. New challenges of globalisation, international trade, technological developments, and increasing expectations of citizens and consumers require a robust implementation of accreditation to promote the fair competition and sustainability of laboratories. For this purpose, the harmonization and consistency of accreditation is a major task that can be achieved through the cooperation of all stakeholders. The ILAC Laboratory Committee has conducted a survey to evaluate the present state of harmonization of accreditation activities. The main results are presented in this paper, and some recommendations for future activity are given at the end.</p
... One of the most relevant is that global markets require a growing level of confidence in goods and services. Trade operations are supported in trust regarding the quality of goods and services provided by suppliers and agents of the transactions (namely, buyers and sellers) [1]. ...
Laboratories are the larger group of stakeholders of ILAC, the international organization for accreditation. The impact of laboratory activities as independent entities that ensure safety and quality of products and services is growing and becoming a key issue in many fields. New challenges of globalization and international trade, technology developments and increasing expectations of citizens and consumers requires a robust implementation of accreditation to promote the fair competition and the sustainability of laboratories. For this purpose, harmonization and consistency of accreditation is a
major task to be achieved through cooperation of all stakeholders.
... Stakeholders of the QI system and their role in the QI system have been previously studied: Studies include CA bodies' effect on national gross value added (Teichler, 2013) and national accreditation body's contribution to the economy (Frenz & Lambert, 2014;KMU Forschung Austria, 2012). However, these studies focus on the economic effect rather than on the underlying motivation for the stakeholders to engage in QI. (De Vries, Verheul, & Willemse, 2003). ...
Digital transformation and especially the dramatic rise of products and services connected to the Internet of Things raise the questions on how to deal with the increasing risks related to Privacy and Cybersecurity. Presumably, these risks seem to be insufficiently reflected in the European Union's current regulative system-by being neither part of the traditional definition of a safe product nor part of product-specific vertical or horizontal directives. Certification based on standards as underlying requirements has been identified by policymakers as an instrument to address this issue. The latest European draft regulation aims at increasing security and trust in ICT products and services, and reducing current European market fragmentation with a new Cybersecurity Certification Framework. Based on the results of a qualitative analysis of stakeholder statements on the current proposal on the Cybersecurity Act, this paper discusses elements of the proposed Cybersecurity Certification Framework. As a theoretical background, this paper provides definitions of the terms Safety, IT-security, and Cybersecurity, presents selected Cybersecurity-related standards and provides an outlook on future challenges to Conformity Assessment in the digital transformation.
... Therefore, accreditation leads to added trust in the service of certification bodies and the quality infrastructure system as a whole. Accreditation bodies independently provide assurance of conformity with international standards (Frenz and Lambert, 2014). These international standards ensure that the requirements for conformity assessment organizations imposed by accreditation bodies are equivalent. ...
Companies use standards as a tool to signal their investments in quality upgrading and performance. We argue that the impact of this signal depends on the trust in the accreditation system and the development status of a country. Representing the workhorse of research in international trade, we use a gravity model to examine the trade effects of ISO 9000 diffusion and cooperation in accreditation. The model is estimated by applying a country-pair fixed effects regression approach with instrumental variables and multilateral resistance terms to a panel data set covering a 13-year period from 1999 to 2012. This allows us to test our hypotheses with respect to the moderating role of international cooperation in accreditation on the trade effects of ISO 9000 diffusion. We show that certification promotes trade and that signatories to the Multilateral Recognition Arrangement of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF MLA) trade significantly more. The IAF MLA is of particular importance to the trade among developing countries. For policy makers, our results highlight the importance of support for accreditation institutions in developing countries.
Global supply chains rely on the compliance and safety of their products, processes, and facilities. These vital services (often referred to as ‘quality assurance’ or ‘conformity assessment’ services) are provided by Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs). This empirical study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CABs as well as their response to the resulting challenges. Data was gathered through an online survey among all accredited CABs in Germany, which resulted in 555 valid responses. Taking a resilience perspective, we reveal that CABs were hit hard by the disruptions caused by the pandemic, albeit to different degrees, in part due to their type of services, size, and sectors served. Furthermore, we find that contingency plans do not directly cushion order declines (as the main indicator of the economic impact of the pandemic) but rather indirectly through helping CABs respond more quickly, which in turn mitigates their order declines. However, our results show that contingency plans can also have adverse effects if they hinder flexible reaction to the crisis. The findings of our study help managers and policymakers learn from the COVID-19 pandemic and improve the resilience of the conformity assessment sector and quality assurance in the event of future crises.
In a recent article we traced the history of quality management (QM) from the guilds in the 10th and 11th centuries and related it to the evolution of QM in forensic science with a particular focus on accreditation. The number of accredited forensic science laboratories has increased enormously, worldwide since forensic science accreditation programmes became available in the 1980s. The standard of choice for the forensic science community became ISO17025 and ISO17020. In this paper, the current standing of QM in forensic science is considered. What has it brought to the forensic community and is the most frequently used standard, ISO17025, the most appropriate one? The notion of ‘quality’ in the forensic community has almost become synonymous with ‘accreditation based on the ISO standards’. This notion is too limited. The publication of the NAS-report in 2009 was very critical of forensic science and its practitioners from a range of perspectives. From a QM perspective a key focus was laboratory accreditation and personal certification. Other publications (e.g. by the UK Forensic Regulator) gave similar opinions. However, it is now clear that the forensic community should broaden its view beyond ISO-accreditation in order to improve its functioning and overall QM performance.
Resilience and security are prominent elements of twenty-first century European and international political agenda. The focus on resilient systems that are able to respond to threats, as well as to anticipate and recover, plays an important role in this regard. Increasingly sophisticated video surveillance systems form a part of security and disaster response mechanisms. In addition to technological advancement of surveillance systems, there are also concerns about the potential trade-off with human rights and freedoms of citizens. Thus, there is a need for means that allow for the protection of freedoms and human rights, while also ensuring security. One such solution, which deals with the potential of a new pan-European certification scheme for video surveillance systems, is presented in this chapter. This scheme focuses on evaluation according to the social dimensions of Security, Trust, Efficiency and Freedom infringement (S-T-E-Fi). Based on a description of the evaluation methodology and its criteria, two scenarios and how the methodology would be used for the purposes of evaluation of installed video surveillance systems operating within these scenarios are presented. The article finishes by outlining the future development of this scheme as well as further research needs.
