The originally named Association of Certification Bodies was founded in 1984 in response to a UK Government proposal that certification bodies should associate together to provide a collective input to the National Accreditation Council. In 1992 the Association adopted its current title and was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in 1996. It is recognised by Government, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), and a wide range of organisations as the lead UK trade association for nationally accredited third party certification bodies.
ABCB represents the interests of its Members internationally, through its membership of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) www.iaf.nu - (visit website)
Within Europe ABCB is represented through its membership of the European Federation of Associations of Certification Bodies, EFAC, which was founded on the initiative of ABCB in 2002. This enables ABCB to have input into European Cooperation for Accreditation www.european-accreditation.org (visit website)
Multilateral Recognition Arrangements, MLAs. ABCB is represented within Europe and internationally through its membership of the European Federation of Associations of Certification Bodies, EFAC, an organisation which was founded by ABCB in 2002.
Latest News
- ABCB has prompted the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to issue guidance to UK businesses encouraging them to use nationally accredited certification... more
- Consultation on transforming regulatory enforcement; ABCB proposed that accredited certification can be used to support regulatory enforcement. The government response to the consultation recognizes the potential of this approach... more
- The results of the latest UKAS customer satisfaction survey available... more
- Bogus accreditation federation exposed... more