IANZ Accreditation

IANZ Accreditation

What is International Accreditation New Zealand?

International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) is the national authority for the accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories, inspection bodies and radiology services. They promote the development and maintenance of good practice in testing and inspection and maintain a registration scheme for organisations that comply with that practice.

IANZ accreditation is for laboratories and inspection bodies needing to demonstrate technical competence. For some it may be to satisfy requirements set by regulators or specifiers; for others it is because they want to gain a market advantage or to satisfy themselves and their customers that their business is performing to international standards.

IANZ is active in the global and regional networks of accreditation authorities. It plays a major role at all levels to improve mutual recognition and procedures for accreditation in support of New Zealand trade. It was a foundation member of the International Laboratory Testing Cooperation (ILAC) in 1977, and of the regional group, Asia Pacific Laboratory Testing Cooperation (APLAC), in 1992.

Reports from IANZ accredited laboratories and inspection bodies are recognised throughout the world by regulators in countries where accreditation authorities are signatories to the ILAC or APLAC Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA). There are 68 accreditation authorities in 53 economies currently participating in the Arrangement. The Arrangement ensures that tests, calibration and/or inspection reports from IANZ accredited organisations meet the required international standards and avoids the need for expensive re-testing and re-certification. In turn, accredited reports from these other countries are recognised in New Zealand.